Amanda Crumley - Piano
Amanda "The Philosopher"
I am aware of what an extraordinary gift it is to have the opportunity to be a musician and to teach music to children. Each day is another opportunity to learn new things and to improve as a musician and teacher. It is important to me to help each student find his/her own personal connection with music. In lessons, I encourages creativity while facilitating improvisation and composition even at the beginning level. Whatever most excites and inspires students is what I choose to focus and build on, while teaching the importance of good technique, reading and aural skills.
Amanda "The Student"
I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Music Education with a vocal/piano/general music emphasis. There I had the privilege to study voice with Lesley Manring and later, in Albuquerque with master teacher Donna McRae. I moved to Chicago in 2003 to pursue a master's degree in jazz voice from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where she studied with Patricia Barber.
Amanda "The Teacher"
Throughout my 10-year teaching career, I have taught middle school choir & general music, pre-k through 4th grade general music in a classroom setting, as well as private voice and piano lessons, ages ranging from 2 to adult. I began teaching at the Musical Offering in 2008 and have enjoyed working with such wonderful students and their families.
Amanda "The Performer"
Since I arrived in Chicago, I have been greeted with a wonderful array of musical opportunities including engagements as a jazz vocalist, a classical/ choral singer and most recently as a composer/ bandleader for her bluegrass band, "Mandy and the Bandits." I stay active as a choral singer with such ensembles as the William Ferris Chorale and the Grant Park Chorus. I have also sung with the New Mexico Symphony and Chicago Symphony choruses. I am currently a soprano section leader at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, under the direction of Paul French.
I also enjoy getting to sing back-up vocals from time to time with local bands whose music I admire. Though my performing career is mainly as a singer, I have played piano since I was young, beginning by ear and learning to read music later on. I have always composed on the piano, and it remains my main compositional tool, as I continue to develop my skills as a composer and arranger.
In 2008, I had the great fortune to travel to Japan for a three-month engagement singing jazz at the Marriott Hotel in Nagoya. This was a life-changing experience. My love affair with travel has only begun!
Amanda "The Composer"
Though I moved to Chicago for jazz, my musical path has taken an unexpected turn to bluegrass music. I have been greatly inspired by country and bluegrass music, and formed a band in 2008 to play my original bluegrass-inspired music. I was awarded a grant from the Illinois Arts Council in 2008 to pursue a recording project of this music. I am currently getting ready to release my first album of this music entitled "When Darkness Glows." After a year hiatus, I am beginning to play live shows. It has been a miraculous process, and I am very excited to see where this road will lead.
I enjoy life, friends and family, food and cooking, yoga, art, books, movies, mother nature, languages and oh yeah- music!!
To learn more about Amanda, visit her websites:
amandacrumley.com
mandyetlesbandits.bandcamp.com (Amanda's band, Mandy & The Bandits)
Please contact The Musical Offering to learn more about private lessons with Amanda.