Amy's Story

Background:  

Originally from Knoxville, I graduated from the University of Tennessee with a major in music education and a minor in theatre.  I took that degree and got a job working as a receptionist at WIVK Radio, a very large country music radio station in Knoxville.  Eventually, I did teach music, K-12 at Chilhowee Elementary.

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One day a friend asked me if I would like to go to Europe.  Of course!  So I moved to Atlanta to work at Northside School of the Performing Arts as the staff accompanist and had the opportunity to travel, work with some fabulously talented young people and play some major works.

And then, I took a job at 11Alive, where I worked as an executive assistant for both 11Alive and Gannett Broadcasting.  By day, I was an executive assistant and by night, I was a musician.   I started singing with a 17 piece big band, Sentimental Journey Orchestra, worked with the Lyric Theatre, accompanied singers, played cocktail parties, subbed as a church organist, served as the interim choir director at St. Mark United Methodist and started singing and accompanying the Festival Singers of Atlanta.

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What drew you to becoming a singer with FSA?

Jane Burke was one my closest friends from college.  She asked me to accompany a work one year and also sing with the group.  I stayed and am glad that I have been a part of this group.  The personnel has changed some, but the challenge of learning the music and working with the singers to get to a performance level is still exciting and very satisfying.

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What keeps you coming back?

The talented people who I love and the music we perform.

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What is your vision for the future of The Festival Singers of Atlanta?

I hope that we keep growing and have a few more singers in our chamber group.  We currently have a wonderful, talented, creative director who is so knowledgeable of music literature and puts programs together that work with the number of singers we currently have.  Under his baton, we have had the opportunity to perform so many beautiful pieces of music.  As all musicians know, there are some pieces that need a few more voices. Currently, we are a small but mighty group of singers.  Increasing that number with a few more talented people would allow us to perform some bigger works.

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Why should someone join The Festival Singers of Atlanta?

If you like to sing, if you enjoy the challenge of learning something new, If you like collaborating with other musicians, laughing, struggling and then experiencing the thrill of a performance, then Festival Singers of Atlanta is the group you need.