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Amanda Collins is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Preparatory (certificate), Pennsylvania State University (BM) and Southern Methodist University (MM). Described as “impressively solid” by the Dallas Morning News, Ms. Collins has quickly become a highly sought after performer and educator across the US and abroad.
In 2017, Ms. Collins was appointed principal horn of the Gateways Festival Orchestra (GFO), an ensemble featuring professional musicians of African descent. She toured with the GFO to Chicago, IL in 2024 and New York, NY in 2025, performing in the Chicago Symphony Center and historic Carnegie Hall to nearly sold out crowds. |
She routinely performs with several notable ensembles including the Seattle Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Sphinx Symphony, Missouri Symphony and Alarm Will Sound. Additionally, she has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony, Opera Memphis, Chineke! Orchestra (UK, tour 2019, 2020), Monarch Brass, and the Lyric Brass Quintet.
A sought after performer nationally, Ms. Collins performs musical theater, gospel, R&B/ soul, pops and opera. She has performed with Grammy award winning artists including Vanessa Williams, Ben Folds and Take 6. She performed as principal horn for musicals “Mary Poppins” (Hershey Theater, PA), “Titanic” (Signature Theater, Washington, D.C.), various productions with the Soulful Symphony, Opera NOVA, and the Washington Opera Society. A dedicated chamber musician, she is a member of the Missouri Quintet and Luminoso Quartet.
Ms. Collins was a featured artist in 2017 and 2018 on the national radio show,
“Performance Today”, hosted by Fred Child, broadcasted by American Public Media, performing Francis Poulenc’s Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet, FP 100 with members of the Gateways Music Festival. Additionally, she performed with the Gateways Brass Collective on “Backstage Pass” with Julia Figeras on WXXI, NPR in January of 2019 in Rochester, NY.
Ms. Collins is a passionate educator and is currently Assistant Professor of French Horn at the University of Missouri. Formerly, she was Adjunct Professor of French Horn at Montgomery College and the University of the District of Columbia. She also served as Instructor of French Horn at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Preparatory and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In addition to private instruction, Ms. Collins has taught classes in music theory, chamber music, and ensemble playing.
A strong supporter of diversity and inclusion in the arts, many of Ms. Collins’ students hail from under-served and underrepresented communities. She is the founder of the MU School of Music Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Collective (MU SOM IDE Collective), a group of students and faculty in support of issues surrounding IDE on and off campus. Additionally, Ms. Collins founded the MU School of Music IDE Committee and served as chair in its inaugural year. Ms. Collins served on faculty at the Prizm International Chamber Music Festival (2018) and the Oklahoma State Arts Institute (2024), where she worked with students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ms. Collins has commissioned, premiered, and recorded several new works featuring horn. In 2024, she collaborated with Diversify the Stand, a non-profit focused on diversity in class music and the University of Missouri, Ms. Collins commissioned, premiered and recorded “Winds of Change”, 12 progressive solos for horn and piano by under-served and underrepresented composers (album coming fall 2025).
In addition to performing and teaching, Ms. Collins regularly attends events and conferences, performing and teaching the French horn, promoting and creating a network of diverse musicians, artists and instructors, and administrative networking and conversations. In 2017 and 2018, she was selected to be a fellow at the Sphinx Connect conference in Detroit, MI. In 2019, Ms. Collins was interviewed on “Backstage with Lee Thomas” on Detroit Public Television during the 2019 Sphinx Competition, discussing IDE issues in classical music. Ms. Collins is routinely a guest speaker at symposiums and events, discussing a wide range of topics including diversity and inclusion in the arts, college auditioning technique, college career management and entrepreneurship for college students and graduates. She was an invited speaker in 2021 at the Indiana Jacobs School of Music, in 2023 at the Sphinx Connects conference, and in 2024 at the Midwest Clinic.
Ms. Collins is a proud Stephens Custom Horn Performing Artist and currently plays a Series I model double horn with B1 and D3S bell flares, and Laskey 75G gold-plated mouthpiece.
A sought after performer nationally, Ms. Collins performs musical theater, gospel, R&B/ soul, pops and opera. She has performed with Grammy award winning artists including Vanessa Williams, Ben Folds and Take 6. She performed as principal horn for musicals “Mary Poppins” (Hershey Theater, PA), “Titanic” (Signature Theater, Washington, D.C.), various productions with the Soulful Symphony, Opera NOVA, and the Washington Opera Society. A dedicated chamber musician, she is a member of the Missouri Quintet and Luminoso Quartet.
Ms. Collins was a featured artist in 2017 and 2018 on the national radio show,
“Performance Today”, hosted by Fred Child, broadcasted by American Public Media, performing Francis Poulenc’s Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet, FP 100 with members of the Gateways Music Festival. Additionally, she performed with the Gateways Brass Collective on “Backstage Pass” with Julia Figeras on WXXI, NPR in January of 2019 in Rochester, NY.
Ms. Collins is a passionate educator and is currently Assistant Professor of French Horn at the University of Missouri. Formerly, she was Adjunct Professor of French Horn at Montgomery College and the University of the District of Columbia. She also served as Instructor of French Horn at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Preparatory and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In addition to private instruction, Ms. Collins has taught classes in music theory, chamber music, and ensemble playing.
A strong supporter of diversity and inclusion in the arts, many of Ms. Collins’ students hail from under-served and underrepresented communities. She is the founder of the MU School of Music Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Collective (MU SOM IDE Collective), a group of students and faculty in support of issues surrounding IDE on and off campus. Additionally, Ms. Collins founded the MU School of Music IDE Committee and served as chair in its inaugural year. Ms. Collins served on faculty at the Prizm International Chamber Music Festival (2018) and the Oklahoma State Arts Institute (2024), where she worked with students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ms. Collins has commissioned, premiered, and recorded several new works featuring horn. In 2024, she collaborated with Diversify the Stand, a non-profit focused on diversity in class music and the University of Missouri, Ms. Collins commissioned, premiered and recorded “Winds of Change”, 12 progressive solos for horn and piano by under-served and underrepresented composers (album coming fall 2025).
In addition to performing and teaching, Ms. Collins regularly attends events and conferences, performing and teaching the French horn, promoting and creating a network of diverse musicians, artists and instructors, and administrative networking and conversations. In 2017 and 2018, she was selected to be a fellow at the Sphinx Connect conference in Detroit, MI. In 2019, Ms. Collins was interviewed on “Backstage with Lee Thomas” on Detroit Public Television during the 2019 Sphinx Competition, discussing IDE issues in classical music. Ms. Collins is routinely a guest speaker at symposiums and events, discussing a wide range of topics including diversity and inclusion in the arts, college auditioning technique, college career management and entrepreneurship for college students and graduates. She was an invited speaker in 2021 at the Indiana Jacobs School of Music, in 2023 at the Sphinx Connects conference, and in 2024 at the Midwest Clinic.
Ms. Collins is a proud Stephens Custom Horn Performing Artist and currently plays a Series I model double horn with B1 and D3S bell flares, and Laskey 75G gold-plated mouthpiece.
Testimonials
• "Every opportunity I have to play with Amanda is an absolute pleasure and privilege
for me. She's a simply spectacular horn player and person." -- Weston Sprott, Dean
and Director, Preparatory, the Juilliard School, trombonist, Metropolitan Opera
Orchestra
• “I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Amanda several times with Alarm Will
Sound, where she stepped in seamlessly and handled challenging repertoire with
grace and ease. Her command of extended techniques and ability to play with
nuance and subtlety make her an exceptional collaborator. I’ve also heard her
perform as a soloist on multiple occasions and have been consistently blown away
by her musicality, confidence, and presence on stage.”— Michael Clayville,
trombonist & founding member of Alarm Will Sound
• “Amanda is a remarkable musician and an incredible force of positivity in the horn
world.” -- Jeffrey Fair, Principal Horn, Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Seattle
Opera
• “I never would have had the courage to pursue a career in music if it hadn’t been for
Prof. Collins’ support, and I never would have made it this far if it hadn’t been for her
wisdom. She transformed my horn playing and gave me the preparation I needed to
take the next steps in my career”— Maddie Hogan, MM candidate, Indiana
University 2026, BM, University of Missouri 2024
• “Amanda Collins is like a fireball that is radiating with energy. Not only as a dynamic
musician, but she is a much welcomed person to uplift a room the moment she
enters it with her smile.” — Gail Robertson, Associate Professor of Euphonium,
University of Central Arkansas, Visiting Assistant Professor, Indiana University,
Jacobs School of Music
• “When I visit a college horn studio, all I need to know of the environment is reflected
in the students. Amanda Collins’ students at Mizzou reflect a caring atmosphere, full
of curiosity, eagerness to learn, and a positive vibe. Brava, Amanda!!”— Thomas
Jostlein, Associate Principal Horn, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
• “Amanda Collins is the most dynamic horn player and teacher of her generation.
After her performance at the 2025 International Horn Symposium in June, I heard it
said, ‘She is a FORCE!’ and I agree. She has a unique combination of
unbridled deep musicianship combined her modest desire to learn. Her record of
recruiting and teaching at the University of Missouri speaks to her university
teaching experience and her undeniable success.”- Lisa Bontrager, Pennsylvania
State University, Distinguished Professor Emerita
• “Amanda is an absolute pleasure to work with. Her horn playing is world class and
her personality lights up a room.”— Cara Kizer, Acting Associate Principal horn,
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• “Amanda is a pleasure to ‘sit down wind to’! Phenomenal player!”— Randy Gardner,
Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music, Hornist,
Philadelphia Orchestra, retired
“My first opportunity to become acquainted with Ms. Collins was through a
performance of the Chromatic Brass Collective at the International Women’s Brass
Conference (IWBC) in 2022. The performance was outstanding! I produce a
fundraising concert each year in St. Louis, MO, and invited Ms. Collins to perform
with us in December of 2024. Her performance was excellent regardless of what
part she was assigned. She is a top notch professional who comes prepared for the
job. Lastly, I heard her perform with Monarch Brass at the May 2025 IWBC and was
blown away. She was playing the principal horn position. The horn parts were
exceedingly high and were executed perfectly by Ms. Collins. She is an outstanding
performer and will be an asset to any organization, orchestra or university, that may
seek her skills for employment.”— Susan Slaughter, Principal Trumpet, St. Louis
Symphony (retired), Founder, International Women’s Brass Conference
• "Every opportunity I have to play with Amanda is an absolute pleasure and privilege
for me. She's a simply spectacular horn player and person." -- Weston Sprott, Dean
and Director, Preparatory, the Juilliard School, trombonist, Metropolitan Opera
Orchestra
• “I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Amanda several times with Alarm Will
Sound, where she stepped in seamlessly and handled challenging repertoire with
grace and ease. Her command of extended techniques and ability to play with
nuance and subtlety make her an exceptional collaborator. I’ve also heard her
perform as a soloist on multiple occasions and have been consistently blown away
by her musicality, confidence, and presence on stage.”— Michael Clayville,
trombonist & founding member of Alarm Will Sound
• “Amanda is a remarkable musician and an incredible force of positivity in the horn
world.” -- Jeffrey Fair, Principal Horn, Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Seattle
Opera
• “I never would have had the courage to pursue a career in music if it hadn’t been for
Prof. Collins’ support, and I never would have made it this far if it hadn’t been for her
wisdom. She transformed my horn playing and gave me the preparation I needed to
take the next steps in my career”— Maddie Hogan, MM candidate, Indiana
University 2026, BM, University of Missouri 2024
• “Amanda Collins is like a fireball that is radiating with energy. Not only as a dynamic
musician, but she is a much welcomed person to uplift a room the moment she
enters it with her smile.” — Gail Robertson, Associate Professor of Euphonium,
University of Central Arkansas, Visiting Assistant Professor, Indiana University,
Jacobs School of Music
• “When I visit a college horn studio, all I need to know of the environment is reflected
in the students. Amanda Collins’ students at Mizzou reflect a caring atmosphere, full
of curiosity, eagerness to learn, and a positive vibe. Brava, Amanda!!”— Thomas
Jostlein, Associate Principal Horn, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
• “Amanda Collins is the most dynamic horn player and teacher of her generation.
After her performance at the 2025 International Horn Symposium in June, I heard it
said, ‘She is a FORCE!’ and I agree. She has a unique combination of
unbridled deep musicianship combined her modest desire to learn. Her record of
recruiting and teaching at the University of Missouri speaks to her university
teaching experience and her undeniable success.”- Lisa Bontrager, Pennsylvania
State University, Distinguished Professor Emerita
• “Amanda is an absolute pleasure to work with. Her horn playing is world class and
her personality lights up a room.”— Cara Kizer, Acting Associate Principal horn,
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• “Amanda is a pleasure to ‘sit down wind to’! Phenomenal player!”— Randy Gardner,
Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music, Hornist,
Philadelphia Orchestra, retired
“My first opportunity to become acquainted with Ms. Collins was through a
performance of the Chromatic Brass Collective at the International Women’s Brass
Conference (IWBC) in 2022. The performance was outstanding! I produce a
fundraising concert each year in St. Louis, MO, and invited Ms. Collins to perform
with us in December of 2024. Her performance was excellent regardless of what
part she was assigned. She is a top notch professional who comes prepared for the
job. Lastly, I heard her perform with Monarch Brass at the May 2025 IWBC and was
blown away. She was playing the principal horn position. The horn parts were
exceedingly high and were executed perfectly by Ms. Collins. She is an outstanding
performer and will be an asset to any organization, orchestra or university, that may
seek her skills for employment.”— Susan Slaughter, Principal Trumpet, St. Louis
Symphony (retired), Founder, International Women’s Brass Conference
