Amanda Hernandez is a violinist and pedagogue originally from Midland, Texas and now based in Wichita Falls. She was first introduced to the violin in the public school elementary strings program in MISD where she was inspired and shaped by dedicated orchestra directors and music teachers that provided an encouraging environment for her to pursue music professionally. She now holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy Emphasis from the University of Hartford, a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Houston, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston.

Ms. Hernandez has been a registered Suzuki teacher since 2012. With a deep passion for music education, she currently reaches students K-12 in WFISD in her roles as Artist-in-Residence for the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra and as Suzuki violin instructor for the Gail Key Academy of Music. Though her home base is Milam Elementary as a Suzuki instructor, as Artist-in-Residence, she travels throughout the week to provide expert string instruction to orchestra students at Barwise, Kirby, McNiel, WFHS, Rider, and Hirschi. She also serves as a strings coach for the Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra and as Adjunct Professor of Music at Midwestern State University. As a performer, Ms. Hernandez serves as a section first violinist with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale.

When she’s not performing or teaching, Ms. Hernandez enjoys curling up with a good book next to her tuxedo cat, Fritz (named after the violinist, Fritz Kreisler, of course!), being involved in her parish at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and traveling to spend time with her family spread throughout Texas.