Hey there, I'm Amanda!
When things started, I was just a flutist. Picture me flying to France for my first international music competition, touring the DMV area as a soloist, recording my first album.... until the pandemic. When people could no longer gather for live music, the career I worked so hard on evaporated before my eyes.
So I sought to create something out of nothing. I founded a profitable online music school. Built a virtual private studio. I figured out how to pay my bills without having to rely on concerts or a 9-5.
Soon, I grew to love the process of creating an online business, and started helping others do the same. I THRIVE with strategic planning. Dreaming up ideas. I possess that go-getter attitude of create it rather than wait for it.
Whether you're an individual artist, an owner of your own music school, or independent arts organization, I'm here to be your resource for profitability and sustainability. Let's chat!
Between going to two of the most elite conservatories in the nation and pursuing private-flute study from the age of 10, I pretty much know all there is to know about flute.
My Story
I started out as a concert flutist. Touring. Competitions. My first year after my master's degree, my calendar was booked with concerts, rehearsals, gigs. Ball gowns and concert black flew out of my closet on the regular. I was having a blast, playing absolutely gorgeous music. My duo literally finished recording our first album on March 10, 2020. Up until that day, I was full-speed ahead.
Then.... sudden plot twist.
The pandemic cleared my calendar for the next two weeks. Then a few months. Then, the next year. I felt side-lined. What had all this been about? Where does this leave me? Am I supposed to just practice for months and months? With no end in sight and also..... no income?
So I started to take a hard look at my life. All the concerts, all the guest teaching appearances, all the music.... you know what my income was during that glorious year of ball gowns, practicing and late night rehearsals? Just $12,000.
That's it. I don't even know how I made things work that year. To add spice to the tea, I also ended a long-term relationship during this same time. It left me wondering how the heck I was gonna support myself. How long could I sustain this performing career? What would I do now that a deadly virus ended it? Is this really what I even wanted?
And that's when it all began.
- And I've got two main takeaways from my education -
1. It's SUPER beneficial for students in the long run to have a teacher who is analytical and doesn't ignore any problem (I learned this in my undergrad)
2. Classical musicians don't typically have a lot of fun in their music studies. (why so serious?! Is my main question...)
I believe in making lessons fun, while also teaching students to analyze and critique their own playing.
More about me!
College degrees from...
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Peabody Institute, MM in flute performance
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Oberlin Conservatory, BM in flute performance
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Oberlin College, BA in biology
I've taught at...
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The International School of Music
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Bryn Mawr School
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Virtual Woodwind Academy
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Sheppard Pratt Schools
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Baltimore Symphony Orchkids program
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Arts for Learning Maryland
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Camp Encore/Coda
I won first place prizes as a soloist in...
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National Society of Arts & Letters Woodwind Competition
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Central Ohio Flute Association Young Artist Competition
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Rochester Flute Association Emerging Artist Competition
And I perform professionally with my flute and percussion duo, Duo Sila!