"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
— 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
