We have a lot of incredible people teaching for our programs, and while our students get to work with them every week, we know that our wider community might not know them!
We are so lucky to have clarinetist Amanda Walker as our Woodwinds Coach in Academy Philharmonic! Amanda is an inspiring teacher and performer and we are excited for you to get to know her better in this month's Teacher Feature!
EM: How long have you been teaching for Elemental Music?
AW: This is my third year teaching for Academy Philharmonic but many of my students have benefited greatly from being a part of Elemental Band.
EM: How did you get started in music?
AW: In my Primary School in the Uk I started recorder in 3rd Grade just like here in the public Santa Monica schools and I loved it. At the same time I loved a song played frequently on the radio, “Stranger on the Shore” by Acker Bilk. That’s how I chose to play the clarinet and have loved it ever since.
EM: Why is it important to you to not only perform music but to be a music educator?
AW: I’ve always loved teaching and the difference one can make in a child’s life by sharing the skills I’ve learnt from my teachers. The joy experienced when helping a beginner learn the first few notes or a more advanced student perfecting one of the harder pieces in our repertoire, is precious and priceless.
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
AW: I feel so fortunate that music has led to many different experiences and provided so many wonderful memories. In my second year at the Royal College of Music in London, I was chosen to play a Mozart Serenade for the premiere of the movie, Amadeus. Not only was this thrilling to be part of the premiere but we also got to meet Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles. As a 21 year old at the time, I adored Lady Di, the People’s Princess.
EM: Academy Philharmonic is Elemental Music's full orchestra for advanced middle school instrumentalists. Why do you think it's important for middle schoolers to have the opportunity to play in a full orchestra setting?
Walker looks at a student’s music in rehearsal
AW: It is amazing for these students to experience such a different setting than Wind Ensemble and it is great training for the full Symphony Orchestras available in High School that they can audition for. It is often their first introduction to playing in a more intimate chamber group and learning how to blend and tune in this setting. Invaluable!
EM: You're a prolific private teacher in addition to your work at Elemental Music and with other institutions like UC Irvine. What is it like to watch your students grow up, from when they're first in Elemental Band to going through high school?
AW: It’s a privilege to be in their lives and to watch them grow as musicians and people. It’s really important to me that I create a feeling in my studio of an extended family and that my students support each other as they often participate in Recitals, Honor’s Groups, Summer festivals and competitions together. Quite often I will teach someone for 9 years from 4th-12th Grade. There is a very special bond formed when meeting weekly one on one. I hope that in addition to being their teacher I have been a mentor and I love that so many of my kiddos - now adults - stay in touch. I learn so much from them and it’s always hard to say goodbye when they leave for college. They leave a footprint on my heart.
EM: Your son is a gifted young musician, too. Did you ever have to encourage practice at home, and if so, do you have any tips for parents on how to help their children practice?
AW: I definitely had to encourage him in the beginning but once he started playing he always enjoyed practicing. Incentives have always worked well and time off from practicing, just a few days, once a large goal has been achieved like All State auditions. Thankfully having taught teenagers for many years, I’ve learnt that it’s often best to step back and let the teacher work out a plan. London’s teacher, Annie Bosler has very effectively done this with him and there have been times that he’s received text reminders from her. 🤣
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
AW: One piece of advice is always challenging for me! Living in a community rich of musical opportunities, seize every chance you have to participate and play. You most likely will meet new friends as well as having fun at the same time.
EM: Is there anything else you'd like to add, that you think might be interesting for our community?
AW: Through being a musician I have met so many wonderful people and travelled to lots of countries to play and study. I am honored to be part of such a wonderful organization as Elemental Music and to collaborate with the extraordinary team of Music Educators. Music is magical in the doors that it opens and the gems behind them.