Amanda Gatt
Business & Entrepreneurship – MAM
I’m Amanda, a second-year in the MAM program at Columbia College Chicago. With a musical background as a French Hornist, I aspire to start a career as an orchestra manager and aim to make a difference in the non-profit industry. Additional tidbits about me are I’m an avid bookworm, ukulele enthusiast, active Sigma Alpha Iota alumnae, and am preparing to launch my bookbinding business, Boundiful Books.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE YOU CAME TO COLUMBIA.
After graduating from Michigan State University with my BM in Music Education, I immediately began a long-term subbing gig that allowed me to teach music appreciation, band, and choir to students in grades 6-12th. While I loved every interaction I had with those students, I knew that I desired to advance my academic knowledge and challenge myself beyond my undergraduate experience. Having entrepreneurs for parents but little interest in the family printing business, I recognized the opportunity to continue my involvement with the performing arts industry through arts management. Upon reaching this conclusion, I held internships with the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival as well as the MSU Community Music School before applying and enrolling in Columbia’s MAM program.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE COLUMBIA FOR YOUR GRADUATE STUDY?
Being a native Michigander, I knew that I wanted to further my education in a culturally vibrant Midwest city. For me, Chicago and Columbia fit that best. Having the South Loop as its home base, I knew Columbia would quickly immerse me into the arts and culture of Chicago and furthermore, give me access to well-renowned faculty that would allow me to expand my professional network.
TELL US ABOUT A PROJECT YOU’RE WORKING ON THAT YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT.
Currently I’m working with a Detroit pianist to launch a set of collaborative classical music performances throughout the Detroit community, called The Detroit Sessions. The partnership amongst Detroit musicians and organizations will result in concerts showcasing not only the immense cultural diversity in the city of Detroit, but also reflecting the resilience and strength of the people that live and work here. By successfully uniting all of these elements, we believe we can resonate globally and show everyone that Detroit is not a broken city, but rather a place where people come together with open minds and create positivity. Essentially, we desire to change the image of Detroit from ruins to a city of the arts.