Meet Amanda Weichinger

Jan 10
2 min read

Amanda Weichinger is a multi-instrumentalist and educator with 35+ years of musicianship on saxophone, clarinet, flute, and ukulele. A first-call section leader and versatile doubler, she’s performed in concert and jazz bands, saxophone quartet, community band, and Bel Canto community choir, and has spent many seasons in the orchestra pit for musical theatre.

At Melody Mart, she’s also shared her joy of strumming onstage at ukulele recitals. Amanda’s musical tastes are wide; she’s at home with jazz (inspired by Charlie Parker and John Coltrane), the Beatles, show tunes, and folk. She loves helping students discover the styles that make them light up.

Amanda teaches because music “makes my heart happy,” and she wants students to feel that same spark. Her studio motto “Help every student find the music in them that touches their soul.”

She begins by nurturing a love of playing before layering in theory and technique, tailoring each lesson to the learner’s goals, motivation, and learning style. Expect positive reinforcement, realistic benchmarks, and a mix of foundational skills with creativity-building repertoire (often student-chosen). For woodwinds she frequently uses Essential Elements for beginners and Rubank as skills progress; for ukulele she starts with simple chord progressions and songs that invite singing and strumming.

Over the years, Amanda’s students have led their school sections, earned top ratings at festivals and competitions, and won scholarships to study music in college. She’s known for building supportive relationships, celebrating milestones, and helping players move past mistakes with confidence and musicianship.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance for Saxophone | Montana State University Billings

Masters of Arts in Public Policy & Administration | Northwestern University

Her Educators

Collegiate mentors and ensemble directors, with lasting inspiration from saxophone professor Dr. Gary Behm

Certificates

Crisis counseling training

Awards & Highlights

Longtime pit-orchestra musician for musical theatre productions
Students recognized as section leaders, top festival ratings, and music scholarship recipients