Amanda Matthews began playing piano at the age of three; playing songs she had heard from her Dad and songs from church. She began formal lessons at age five. Amanda continued to study piano throughout high school and moved to Atlanta in 1988 and earned a degree in piano performance from Georgia State University. Amanda was inspired by the great classical composers, and jazz legends such as, Bill Evans and Marion McPartland. Amanda was a member of The Banyan Trio, a jazz ensemble that performed around Atlanta and the Southeast. While in Atlanta, Amanda was also a favorite at the Ritz Cartlon, keyboardist for the Atlanta Braves pep band, she has studied in Bad Assuise, Austria, has played on the Orient Express, and was active in the Local Music Teachers Association.
Amanda moved to Panama City, Florida in 2005 to be closer to her family and the beautiful beaches. For eight years, Amanda has taught comprehensive musicianship at Northside Elementary (k-5), has served as president of the Music Teachers Association, voted Teacher of the Year, served on the board of our local Jazz Society, performed in Oaks by the Bay Jazz Festival, and in 2007, recorded a CD with Panama City vocalist, Sharon Carroll. Since 2012, Amanda has been working with guitarist Ted Shumate. Together they have played at local restaurants and numerous private parties in the area.
Amanda has served as the music director at Unity of Panama City and was inspired to begin writing her own music. She teamed up with singer-songwriter and fellow music teacher, Gary Nichols and the two have just released “All I Came Here to Be.” It is an extended play five song CD and includes the performance tracks. It is available on CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes.
Concerts with Cloud 9 Orchestra
03.3.2012…Children’s Volunteer Health Network Benefit Concert (Alys Beach, FL)