Dr. Amanda Quist

Dr. Amanda Quist is the Director of Choral Activities at San José State University and conducts the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorus, and teaches conducting and voice. Dr. Quist earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of North Texas with Jerry McCoy. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in music education and choral conducting, summa cum laude, from Western Michigan University with Craig Arnold and Joe Miller.

Dr. Quist has received numerous awards as a teacher and conductor, including the prestigious James Mulholland National Choral Fellowship, the Texas Choral Directors Association Professional Scholarship, and the Audrey Davidson Early Music Award. She was a national finalist in the American Choral Directors Association conducting competition, and her choir was selected by ACDA to be the demonstration ensemble for a master class with Simon Carrington, professor emeritus of Yale University and founding member of the King Singers. Before pursuing her graduate degrees, Dr. Quist taught in the Michigan public and private school systems, and directed a children’s chorus with the North American Choral Company. She serves on the faculty of the Westminster Choir College Chamber Choir program in Italy each summer, and has held positions on the faculties of Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and the University of North Texas. Dr. Quist is an active adjudicator and clinician, as well as noted mezzo-soprano. She has sung with professional ensembles such as the Texas Choral Artists and the Eton Consort, and was recently hired to record for GIA publications.