Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Campos
Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music was always important to my life, but I did not come from a musical family. I was always fascinated with instruments and songs, but didn’t have much information beyond seeing and listening. In elementary school, an outside program came to present their instrumental classes and we were offered a choice of trumpet, clarinet, or violin. They allowed us to try all three, and clarinet was the only one that allowed me to make a sound on it, so it was decided for me!
I participated in all band programs from then on, all the way through middle and high school. I wanted to continue music in college, but without family support or any guidance within the music industry, I struggled to pass classes or become a reliable musician. I hopped around several community colleges in Los Angeles, and had trouble connecting with professors with dated mentalities about “what it takes” to “make it”. I even had some suggest that I look into other careers, because as a woman, having a family will be more important than being in a band. I was 19 or 20 when I was told this- and at that age, I thought they might be right. It killed my spirit and I thought that music would always just be for fun. I was supporting myself through college, barely making rent working multiple part time jobs, and putting myself in dangerous situations to make ends meet.
Even with the lack of encouragement, there was still always a way for me to stay musical. Some great friends I made in college asked me to play saxophone for a show, or hop on a recording, and through years of referrals and sticking around the local music scene of LA, I found myself remaining quite busy with music throughout all of my 20’s. As the mentality of the music industry changed, and as women started becoming more accepted (and taken seriously) in the local industry- especially following the Me Too movement- I started to believe that this could be a real career for me. By the time I turned 31, I was able to finish my jazz degree at CalArts while already completing a full decade of gig and teaching experience. I now have a fulfilling career as an artist with a private home teaching studio.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This path was certainly not easy, but I do think that many of those hurdles are changing with the times- which is amazing! In my own experience, being a young female saxophonist in the 2010’s was constantly a struggle. I was always the only girl in the band, which didn’t bother me- but the attention from outside was uncomfortable. “Wow! I’ve never seen a girl play sax!” or “You play really well for a girl!”. Things like that made me feel really self conscious, and like I wasn’t much of a decent player. I certainly had a lot of room for growth and improvement, but I didn’t really feel like I could shred like the guys could. I also was aware that I wasn’t given the same lessons that my male classmates were given in college. I remember having the same private teacher as a classmate, and he would share that our teacher gave him so many exciting and specific practice routines, covering a wider range of jazz and improvisation. Meanwhile, that same teacher would tell me just to practice 30 minutes a day. I felt like teachers would try to be “nicer” to me, which wasn’t nice at all when I realized my learning was being compensated.
Aside from college struggles, gig work proved to be difficult. I think many new or young musicians understand that there is an investment period where you have to just put yourself out there for little or no money to get things going for yourself, but I started recognizing a pattern where other bandmates were being paid for gigs and I wasn’t. I met a bandleader who booked me for a handful of gigs with his group, but told me that my pay would be based on my efforts in the band. Fortunately I quit that group right away. Other times I would be promised my pay at the end of the gig, but the band leader would “forget” the check and ask me to meet for dinner so he could give it to me. It was extremely defeating, knowing that my skill wasn’t the reason I was hired in the first place.
I’ve learned a lot about boundaries and setting expectations from since then to protect myself from these situations, and I have also seen the culture here change in so many wonderful ways. With diversity and inclusion becoming more of the standard, it’s been a lot easier for me to work without the fight or fear. There is still plenty of room for improvement, and I still see some old habits from time to time, but I’m encouraged by where we seem to be headed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would consider myself a Teacher-Artist. My whole world is 50% teaching music and 50% gigging and creating music. I think a lot of freelancers find themselves in similar work situations, but I feel so lucky to have this. I teach private lessons in saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano for students in the K-12 age range, and also teach beginning band classes for local elementary schools- which is exactly where I started! My number one goal for music lessons is to inspire curiosity. If I can get kids excited about music, why it happens, how it happens, and what could happen within it, I feel extremely fulfilled. Sharing music is sharing stories, history, and culture. Being a vessel for that is such a sensitive position to be in, especially with young minds. Kids are naturally willing to learn and are naturally curious, so I think music & arts education (and access to it) is so important. I feel like this is something I might not ever be able to leave.
A great benefit of teaching is that I get to be in charge of my own schedule, and the part time nature of my teaching schedule allows me the majority of my day to be creative and work on my craft. As a multi-instrumentalist, I have a lot of variety in my work. Being in LA is the most magical place for me to be a musician. I come from several generations of Los Angeles, so the city is in my blood. I don’t think I could live anywhere else, being so rooted here. Having familiarity with the blended cultures of our city and growing up in East LA/626 gives me so many opportunities. I’ve been able to work in big venues like Crypto arena, The Music Center, Paramount and Universal Studios to so many important local venues and theatres that are vital to accessible entertainment. I appreciate playing all kinds of music- I work in pit orchestras, I’ve played with touring groups, and my current favorite is playing with the Kupkasonic Big Band based in Glendale. The fun part about freelance work is that you always get to work on something different. I know that as musicians we’re all grateful for work, but I do feel like I have a deeper appreciation for the “smaller” gigs and venues. I want to play for people, which means everyone, and not just those who can afford a ticket.
I also write my own music, and currently have 3 tunes on streaming services. I think they all show a little side of me- all 3 have totally different styles- but I have a whole bank of sketches and drafts that are waiting to come out!
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I used to fly by myself as a kid. Seeing Los Angeles at night from above for the first time is an image I won’t forget.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandacamposmusic.wixsite.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camposonsax/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HpqCStOIR3vrTqlSo0woT?si=v7rhD2x-QYiTWmuSqOst5g
