TBJ176: Amy Schumaker Bliss
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On This Episode of The Brass Junkies:
Amy’s performance of Lucy Parkhurst’s Luminaries with the Kent State Wind Ensemble and the aggressive timetable for the performance
How she came to commission composer Lucy Pankhurst and the fascinating story behind Luminaries
Her advice for approaching a composer about writing a piece for you
How Amy fangirls every time she performs with Athena Brass Band
The brass band festival in Gettysburg, her first performance during the pandemic, and the cool story of everyone filling in with the other bands to cover the people who couldn’t make it
The inspiration behind Amy writing a children’s book, Amy’s Brass Band
Why representation is so important in music
Her solo euphonium and piano album Couleurs en Movement and how she
That time when she lost the only copy of Couleurs en Movement which she thought was out of print at the time
How her new podcast about North American brass bands, New World Brass Cast, came about during the pandemic
Bio:
Dr. Amy Schumaker Bliss is a euphonium artist and music educator based in the Columbus area. She attended Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus where she double majored in euphonium performance and music education, studying with Dr. Thomas Zugger and James Swearingen. She earned her master’s degree in euphonium performance studying with Steven Mead and David Thornton at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England where she earned Honors with Distinction in Performance. In 2015, she graduated from Rutgers University as the school's first doctoral euphonium student, studying with Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen and was mentored by Aaron VanderWeele.
Amy has built a career that combines her love for performing with her love for teaching music. She is currently in demand nationwide as a clinician, teacher, and euphonium soloist. During current social distancing measures, Amy uses technology for meeting with community ensembles, university ensembles, and studio classes around the world to work on concepts like sight-reading, music history, and repertoire. In 2020, she worked with students at West Chester University, Temple University, Howard University, Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Ohlone College, Dublin Youth Brass Band and presented at Sopra Metais Brazilian Brass Festival. She has an active Zoom studio with euphonium, tuba, and beginner brass and piano students. She teaches music theory both privately and in group settings and frequently holds music and art classes for her youngest students through Chambers Music Studio.
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With Thanks
The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University
Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.
