Amanda Hessel is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with an emphasis in viola. She has taught both in the private studio setting and in a variety of public educational settings.

Amanda is an *almost* native to Colorado, having moved here at the age of 2. She grew up in Westminster and attended Westminster High School.

After graduating from UNC, Amanda taught for two years at a K-8 public charter school in Firestone, CO. She began an after-school band program and a culminating elementary musical to tie together music and the Core Knowledge sequence: A Midsummer Night's Dream. She then moved to Colorado Springs with her husband and taught at Turman Elementary for one year before becoming a stay-at-home mom for two years.

She currently enjoys teaching the orchestras at Palmer High School and looks forward to growing the program. Amanda has four children who keep her busy when she is not at school! She enjoys cooking, crocheting, reading, and tackling her never-ending lists of DIY projects. Amanda loves to sing with the choir at her local church and play viola/violin for weddings and other events.