Rising Stars: Meet Amanda Muse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Muse.

Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Orlando, FL, as the youngest of four sisters. My family was very musical. My mom sang and played piano, so naturally, my sisters and I grew up taking piano lessons. We did band all throughout school. I played many instruments growing up, including piano, flute, bassoon, violin, guitar, and drums. I loved drums so much I remember even bringing buckets and pots into my room, pretending to play them as drums until my parents bought me a real set!

I became extremely passionate about drums at around 14 years old. I played snare in drumline throughout high school and college. I was always a very petite kid, so getting to march on the field as a snare drummer was always a challenge I looked forward to succeeding at. I also got to work at Universal Studios Orlando and Disney World as a snare drummer. After graduating with my bachelor’s, I set up a social media account, where I posted videos of my drumming and musical compositions. I started to gain followers and eventually got signed with companies Vic Firth and Pearl Drums, who sponsored me as a clinician. I got to travel around the U.S. and internationally to teach and perform at clinics. I also released two instructional books for snare drums. I taught drumline at my undergraduate college for two years (Western Carolina University).

Eventually, I moved to LA to pursue my dream of being a film composer. I always had such a passion for composing and knew that nothing was more fulfilling to me than writing music and seeing it touch people. I love feeling touched when I hear music. So, I made the move across the country and I built a studio at the house I was renting from. I began learning as much as I could about composing. I got accepted into Cal State LA’s Master of Music program, where I am now about to graduate with my MM in music composition, focused on film scoring.

I also got hired at Cinesamples Inc., where I write demos and help produce virtual instruments for composers. Over the past year and a half with the company, I have gotten to do many unbelievable things that the me five years ago could never have imagined! I’ve conducted my compositions at major scoring stages. I got to be the percussionist in recording sessions. I got to travel through Europe last year to record instruments. I love the people I get to work with every day. It has been an absolute dream.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest challenge was losing my mother five years ago to cancer. My mother was my greatest hero, supporter, and friend. I was 22 years old and had just graduated with my bachelor’s degree. My life turned upside down. I was extremely lost and confused. I’m grateful to have had my sisters during these past 5 years, as we’ve turned to each other for comfort.

I turned to music for comfort, as well. This was around the time I started my Instagram account, where I would post my drum compositions. I used music as a creative outlet and something to distract me from the pain of grief. It helped me cope. It felt calm and familiar. I needed this feeling at such a tumultuous time. Getting to drum, teach, and write music during the next couple of years really gave me hope to get out of bed each day.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a film composer who specializes in percussion and orchestral music. My music blends lush orchestration and rich classical harmony with driving rhythms informed by my background as a percussionist. One of the short films I composed for actually ended up winning “Best TV Pilot” at the 2022 Top Shorts Film Festival. I just recently composed the new theme for an upcoming Western Carolina University podcast show, which is something I am extremely proud of because composing music for my alma mater brought everything full circle. I am also a producer and in-house demo composer at virtual instrument company, Cinesamples.

Most people who know me would probably say I am known for my drumming. My expertise in drumline has landed me session work as a snare drummer at Dreamworks, Hollywood Scoring, and Cinesamples. These are some of the proudest moments of my career so far, in addition to the release of my two instructional books and performing at Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2019). Being a percussionist has helped shape my sound as a composer because my orchestral pieces always tend to be uniquely rhythmic.

If I had to pick what I am “most” proud of, it would be my compositions. Conducting my compositions at Fox and Sony’s scoring stages for Cinesamples sessions were the two proudest moments of my life. Seeing my pieces played by professional session musicians for the first time was something I will never forget, and I know that my mom would have been proud.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Reading my Bible helps me do my best in life! It keeps me centered and reminds me that the most important thing I can do in life is to love people and treat them with kindness.

Contact Info:

• Website: Amandamusemusic.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/musegrooves/

Image Credits
Mike Patti Samuel Wallace Maddison Haan