Teaching Music with Love, Training Musicians with Purpose.

“Love is patient, love is kind….”

1 Corinthians 13:4

Amanda Rattray-Bywater, the founder and owner of Musical Endeavors is a multi-talented musician who specializes in playing the piano, organ, and clarinet. She is also a conductor and has expertise as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and nutrition coach. Amanda's true passion lies in teaching music to students and inspiring a lifelong love for music. She believes that in order to help musicians reach their full potential, it is important to consider the whole person. While teaching music, Amanda emphasizes treating students with love and creating an enjoyable learning experience. Through music, students are taught to believe in their abilities in order to learn new pieces, take risks, and perform. Students have the freedom to choose the music they want to play and perform, in addition to studying from their lesson books. Amanda encourages student creativity and encourages students to compose their own music to showcase at recitals. Amanda's students develop important leadership skills such as discipline, motivation, determination, patience, practice, and self-confidence.

Amanda transformed her life by focusing on fitness and healthy eating habits. She became a certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She began as a Bokwa Dance Fitness Instructor at her local YMCA after meeting Paul Mavi, the creator of Bokwa Fitness during the Albany Bokwa Beat in 2015. Amanda was offered a YMCA Bokwa Fitness Instructor position shortly thereafter & continues to teach Bokwa for MVP Living Well Programs. Amanda takes pleasure in helping her community improve their health and strength. She also plans to extend her services to musicians to support their physical well-being. Being an Intuitive Empathic Artist herself, Amanda understands the significance of being healthy, strong and fueling the body with positive energy through exercise and nutrition. This solid foundation enables musicians to be successful in the 21st Century.

Amanda began her music career at the Church on the Hill in Queens, NY where she learned to play the pipe organ from the Organist and Choir Director, Andrew Andela. She began playing the organ for church services when she was 12 years old. Amanda attended St. Francis Preparatory High School and was involved in their Competitive Marching Band as the Drum Major. At the school, she also studied clarinet, saxophone, and conducting. When she graduated in 1992, she received awards for her excellence in instrumental music and the highest average in music. At the age of 19, Amanda was hired as an instructor for the St. Francis Preparatory Competitive Marching Band. They had the opportunity to perform at the Aqueduct for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1995.

Amanda pursued her Bachelors of Science in Music Education at Hofstra University where she studied clarinet with Naomi Drucker, the Co- Founder and Co-Director of the American Chamber Ensemble. Naomi Drucker performed, recorded and toured with the prestigious New York Philharmonic. Amanda decided to continue her education with a Master of Arts degree in Wind Conducting with internationally acclaimed conductor and author, Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft. His best selling book entitled Teaching Music with Passion includes stories from rehearsals and performances Amanda fondly remembers from during her time performing in Hofstra University's Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Amanda has also had the privilege of performing with renowned wind band composers including James Swearingen, David Holsinger, Jerry Nowak, Carl Strommen, and Elliot DelBorgo. She has even premiered works by Robert W. Smith, David Gillingham, and Johann DeMeij.

Under Amanda's guidance, her students in the Copiague School District became the New York Marching Band State Champions for four years. They even had the opportunity to be featured in the 2005 Nicholas Cage movie called "Lord of War". Her students had the opportunity to perform at various prestigious venues such as Walt Disney World, the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City, and Giant's Stadium.

In 2004, Amanda was invited to be a guest conductor for the Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble. Currently, Amanda studies piano with Patricia Hadfield at Skidmore College to continue her own love for learning and to bring her students the best of piano music.
Over the years, Amanda's Musical Endeavors students have consistently achieved outstanding scores at the annual NYSSMA Festivals. Many of them have gone on to secure jobs as Church musicians and pursue degrees at prestigious institutions such as The Berklee College of Music, Hamilton, and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Amanda takes immense pride in the accomplishments of her students, both in music and in life. She has watched them grow and flourish over the years, which brings her great joy.

Amanda created Musical Endeavors in order to strike a balance between teaching music and raising a family. Now that her children have grown older Amanda looks forward to expanding her passion for music and wellness.