Amanda Pond enjoys an active career as a flutist and teacher. As an orchestral flutist, she currently performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, and the Danville Symphony Orchestra.
Amanda is the Instructor of Flute at Millikin University, where she teaches applied flute, flute choir, flute methods and through the Millikin Community Arts Academy. Since Fall 2020, she also teaches at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she teaches applied flute, and directs the UIS Flute Choir. Previously, she has taught students of all ages in her private studio, and at the Conservatory of Central Illinois.
As an avid chamber musician, Amanda can be heard frequently with duo partner and harpist Julia Jamieson, with the Millikin University Faculty Quintet and Trio, and in duo with marimbist Aaron Villarreal.
As a Baroque Flutist, she has played with Bach Society Houston and as a soloist with Concerto Urbano. She has performed in period chamber ensembles and has collaborated frequently in concert with harpsichordist Charlotte Mattax.
Recently, Amanda performed as a soloist with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, and at the inaugural Five Cities Baroque Festival.
This season, Amanda can be heard as a soloist with the Champaign Urbana Symphony, on Baroque flute with Concerto Urbano, and in the program By the Sea for solo flute and marimba.
Amanda received both her B.M. and M.M. in Flute Performance at the University of Illinois, where she studied with Alexander Murray. She also studied at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where she was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and the Graduate Woodwind Quintet Fellowship. While in graduate school, she won second place at the National Flute Association’s annual Orchestral Audition Competition.