New Vineyard-native Andreas Wyder is performing aboard the first cruise to leave a U.S. port since the start of the pandemic. After spending the height of the pandemic in Franklin County, Wyder is back to doing what he loves most: singing. Photo courtesy of Andreas Wyder

REGION — When New Vineyard native Andreas Wyder was booked to perform on a cruise ship in 2020, he never anticipated what would happen in the following weeks and months. After the reality of the pandemic quickly set in, Wyder was on a plane back home to Franklin County to wait out the worst of it.

Today, as life slowly returns to normal, Wyder is aboard Celebrity Edge, the first cruise ship to leave a U.S. port since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wyder boarded Royal Carribbean’s Celebrity Edge in May as an anomaly in his intersecting industries.

“It’s been 15 months since I sang for an audience,” Wyder explained over a zoom interview while out at sea in Mexico. “ I feel like I’m one of the first performers back to a job which is also so lucky. It’s been a dream…I’m so lucky to be here.”

Wyder explained that he “had nerves” and “some anxiety” about being on the first American cruise amid the ongoing pandemic, but his fears have been eased by Celebrity, who is handling the guidelines of COVID-19 safety “seriously.” Wyder explained that his whole cast and crew and a vast majority of the guests (excluding children under 11) are vaccinated. Wyder also undergoes routine COVID-19 tests.

“It seems like as much as we can be in control of in a crazy time of life, they are in control of,” Wyder said.

More so, “the adventure is worth it, for me,” Wyder said. “Get me back to work.”

Wyder grew up in New Vineyard, raised by his parents, Diane and Chris who are retired Mt. Blue district teachers. Wyder graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 2011, where he developed his love for singing and performing. Wyder was a member of the “incredible” a cappella group Mt. Blue Voices.

“Growing up (in Franklin County) really did prepare me well for the professional life that I have now just because it’s so much in the Farmington spirit,” Wyder said.

Following an early end to his high school career, Wyder headed for New York City, where he’s spent the last 10 years performing and singing in regional and Off-Broadway productions. Wyder also performed in nation-wide tours of Broadway musicals, including Titanic the Musical.

When the pandemic hit, Wyder was in Miami rehearsing for his time on Celebrity Edge. Like many native Mainers, Wyder travelled back to Franklin County, where he spent the pandemic with his mother and father in New Vineyard.

“I had never been back to Maine for as long as I had this past year since I was 17 and moved away. It was so amazing to be back and be with my family,” Wyder explained. “(Franklin County) is a great place to process what was happening in the world.”

New Vineyard-native Andreas Wyder is aboard the first cruise to leave a U.S. port since the start of the pandemic. He spent his 2020 quarantine in Franklin County enjoying Maine’s forests and spending time with his parents, retired teachers from Mt. Blue. Photo courtesy of Andreas Wyder

Wyder described himself as a “spiritual, nature boy” who relished in the opportunity to return to the nature of Maine. Wyder said he spent his days out on “nature walks” and “meditating in the forest.” Wyder also spent his time like many — playing scrabble, baking, and going for drives to see the sites of Maine and Franklin County like the Wire Bridge.

Wyder said that growing up in Franklin County and Maine has taught him “how to enjoy life and enjoy the planet.”

He misses “the community” and plans to return to Franklin County when his contract is up later in the year.

For the time being, he enjoys, “getting to do what I love again…singing all day every day.” He’ll take that love to Costa Maya, Mexico, the Bahamas and Sint Maarten, among other places.