Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Andersson.
Hi Amy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised in a family that enjoyed music very much and was fortunate to have a piano at home and parents who could afford piano lessons. Music was a gift in my life from an early age and my love for it has guided me through the twists and turns of life. As a child, I asked someone, “How did you know what you wanted to be in life?” The answer was, “Decide what you love and invisible hands will guide you.” I treasured that as golden wisdom and that has guided me to this day. Music has, and always will be, my love and guiding force that connects me to my creativity, wisdom, and higher, intuitive self.
When I am in this space of heightened, creative awareness, I can manifest things that are bigger than me. I can manifest my purpose, my path and what I am called to do. Women Warriors: The Voices of Change, my live-to-picture symphony production came from this higher creative space. I trusted my vision, intuition and musical instincts and created with a team of incredible composers this live concert that premiered at Lincoln Center in September 2019. That is the large arch, from innocent, music-loving child to Grammy-wining conductor and producer. The trajectory of trust, of listening to the whisper, of never letting go of what I believe I am on this earth to do, was my light. My success is also the product of good luck, having the support of mentors and teachers and having the great gift of parents who could give me a higher education.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were many twists and turns, and many obstacles and challenges along the way, both personally and professionally. I learned many years ago that every stumbling block and difficult personalities we meet along the way are actually our teachers and offer chances to grow deeper and stronger.
I worked in Europe for years as a young, budding conductor and many doors were opened by people but many doors were slammed shut well because I was a woman. I was told I would never have a career as a conductor if I got married and to just throw in the towel with my career if I ever decided to have a family. I did get married, had two wonderful children and built my conducting career, but balancing work and family took years of enormous energy.
I founded Orchestra Moderne NYC in 2017 and we debuted at Carnegie Hall and then at Lincoln Center in 2019. Sure I won awards, a Grammy, BMI Impact award and an SCL Jury Award, but most importantly I have won the love and respect of my colleagues. My experiences, successes and failures have taught me to be patient, kind, sensitive, outward-looking, and mindful of the lives of others and to the world around me. Life is a precious gift and I am one of the lucky ones in this perilous and difficult world.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have toured a conductor to over twenty-two countries conducting concerts and recording sessions in symphonic, operatic, film score, musical theatre and video game genres so I guess I am known for my musical versatility. I also appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert!
What sets me apart from others? I think that anyone who knows me will say that I’m extremely sensitive and that I cry easily when I am moved by people, art, music, and life events. I used to think my crying was a weakness but now I think that it is my superpower. I feel the pain of others and that enables me to connect deeply with the world. I have moved audiences and orchestra musicians to tears. At the end of our lives we remember those moments that touched us deeply, the people who loved us and those we connected to in a deep and authentic way. Is it not the money, the awards, the possessions and the accolades that have beauty and meaning, but the love and the tears and all those precious moments that mean the most at the end of our lives. In the moments that I cry with others because music has touched us, I feel we have created a sacred and profound human experience. That is worth its weight in gold.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My earliest mentors were a childhood piano teacher and high school choir director who encouraged me and gave me opportunities. I had also a high school track coach who was a guiding light and who believed in me. Those people shaped me and gave me enough grit and confidence to always get back up no matter what and to get through life no matter the difficulties.
I have taught conducting many years now and am currently Adjunct Faculty at USC Thornton, Screen Scoring and faculty at the Hollywood Music Workshop in Baden, Austria. Every interaction I have with my students, I am mindful of the fact that they will carry with them for many years the words and emotions they felt when interacting with me. I always ask myself, Did I inspire them? Did I honor them? Did I give them tools to make progress? I try to honor the light that I see in each student by passing on as much knowledge that I can to them and by paying forward what my mentors and teachers gave to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amyanderssonconductor.com
- Instagram: amymaestra
- Twitter: amymaestra
- Other: www.womenwarriorsthevoicesofchange.com
Image Credits
Derek Brad, Kristaps Kalns.
