about Mary Amanda
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| Amanda began piano studies at the tender age of 2. Although she did a large amount of performing from that time on through her teens, with both large and small symphonic organizations and as a soloist, she fell in love with ballet and spent her teens as a professional ballet dancer while still playing piano, composing, singing and recording. She received her BA in Music from the University of Utah. It wasn't until she was in her 30's, after traveling extensively throughout the world for 10 years and pursuing studies in art history and art restoration, that she discovered the harp. Studying with Shrudeli Ownbey, Mary Amanda ripped through the classic harp repertoire first, then turned to jazz-harp, which has been her main focus for the past 15 years. Performing all over the world for the past ten years in practically every type of venue from small jazz clubs and concerts with her band to full orchestral settings (she was the principal harpist for the Salt Lake Symphony from 1998-2001) to 6-star cruise ships, winning countless awards and accolades and recording 10 CDs, Mary Amanda continues to explore and share her love of the world of music from a worldwide perspective. When in the USA, she lives in Salt Lake City with her two dogs, Buddy and Laddie. She has also owned and operated a full service salon for the past 25 years, teaches harp to adults when she's not performing and recording, and is an avid outdoorsperson. She is happily wedded to Brent Nixon, reknowned naturalist (www.naturetalksbybrentnixon.com), and travels with him and his two beautiful daughters whenever she can. |
