Amanda Dailey – Voice, Cello, and Beginner Piano
Amanda has been in love with music since before she was born. She started singing at a very early age with the full support of her two loving parents who were musicians themselves. In Elementary school, Amanda also took up the cello and continued to hone her skills throughout her entire middle school and high school career. By the end of her senior year in high school, Amanda had won several musicianship awards as well as the school scholarship given to a student who would pursue a career in music education. In addition to playing in the orchestra and singing in the choir at school, Amanda also participated annually at NYSSMA and ECMEA for cello. In middle school, Amanda was introduced to the world of theatre where she quickly realized she fit in perfectly. Amanda received her first lead role in 7th grade as Annie Finnel in Under the Big Top. When it came time to audition for musicals in high school, Amanda jumped right in. Amanda’s first musical role was as an ensemble member in Guys and Dolls. She became obsessed with the thrill of the limelight and the following year, she was cast as Annie in the world renowned broadway musical Annie. This was her first major role, but she rose to the challenge and it is one of her fondest childhood memories. Following sophomore year, Amanda also was cast as Humpty Dumpty in Shrek the Musical and finally, in her senior year, as Ti Moune from Once on this Island. Outside of school, Amanda participated in Track & Field and was a competitive Irish dancer for fifteen years. When it came time for college, Amanda applied to SUNY Buffalo State University and attended the college’s 4-year program for Music Education. There she learned how to share her love for music with the world and eventually – her own students. Her primary instruments were voice and cello, but she also picked up Viola as a secondary instrument and continues to improve on her skills with all of the string instruments.
Following her degree, Amanda became a substitute teacher for her alma mater and Erie1BOCES. Within a few months, Amanda was then hired by the Buffalo Public Schools to be the music teacher at City Honors. This was Amanda’s first full-time music education position and she was thrilled. The position was temporary and although Amanda developed incredible relationships with students, at the end of the year, it was time to say goodbye to her first students and to move onto the next part of her adventure. In that summer, Amanda was hired as the music teacher for one of the Erie1BOCES summer school sites. She loved working with the students and after that summer she was officially hired by Erie1BOCES as one of their four music teachers. Amanda has now been with Erie1BOCES for the past four years. In addition to teaching full time, Amanda attended SUNY Buffalo State University again for graduate school and received her Master’s degree in Special Education. Amanda is not done with school yet however. She plans on attending the UB School Administration program starting next summer to ultimately obtain her building-level and district-level administration licenses. Amanda’s long-term goal is to become a school principal in the public school system.
With Amanda’s experience and innate love for music, she has been able to shape her own way of teaching and develop her philosophy. She focuses on building strong relationships with students so that they feel safe, understood, and feel part of their learning. Amanda welcomes all levels of students and offers them challenges to help them become the well-rounded musicians she knows they can be. Amanda is very excited to take another step in her adventure working with the amazing crew at Boulevard Music Lessons!