Spotlight on... Amanda Kleinman

Author: Sara Jameson

Amanda Kleinman '09 is a joint Music and History major from Texas. She has already made an impressive mark on the vibrant Middlebury College arts community through her involvement with musical theatre. She took a few moments to talk with The Campus about her past experiences and future endeavors.


The Middlebury Campus: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your involvement with and commitment to the arts?

Amanda Kleinman: Being involved in so many different aspects of musical life here has provided me with constant exposure to diverse types of music, from opera to musical theater to choral music to Bob Dylan (I took the J-term class; it was awesome.). I really appreciate gaining versatility and growing as an artist as a result of such a varied exposure to music.

TC: What have been your favorite activities? Your most challenging activities?

AK: I've loved the opportunities I've had to sing opera. Performing in a Monteverdi opera last spring was an incredible experience, and I've also enjoyed singing arias and duets at recitals. I think the most challenging, but also some of the most rewarding, parts of my musical education, have been learning about all the aspects of music that have nothing to do with being on the stage, from music theory to music directing to all the production aspects of a musical.

TC: What do you think of the Music Department in general? How have the professors helped/hindered you in reaching your goals?

AK: I feel so lucky to have found the music department here. First of all, I think it is very rare to find a music department and musicians of this caliber, particularly at a liberal arts school. I've loved the flexibility, support and personal attention that come from being a student in a small department with a lot of resources and incredible professors and private instructors. They've really provided a supportive environment to try new things and take risks.

TC: How has trying completely new things such as piano or conducting shaped you as a musician? Do you feel that you learned anything new about music and working with others?

AK: I've loved learning about new aspects of music, such as music directing, conducting, and playing the piano. Conducting "Urinetown" was definitely the most different and challenging thing I've done musically here. Actually conducting a show was definitely an intense and fast way to learn about conducting, and I'm really glad I had the opportunity to work with an orchestra. I couldn't have done it without such supportive instrumentalists, though - they were incredibly patient and helpful.

TC: Tell me about your involvement with the Middlebury College Musical Players.

AK: My first semester at Middlebury, I was in the cast of "Little Shop of Horrors." After the show, I decided I wanted to expand my understanding of what goes into putting on a show, so I was the co-music director of Into the Woods the next semester. I so enjoyed becoming involved in the production aspects of musical theater that I ended up producing, music directing, and conducting "Urinetown" last semester. I've learned a great deal about putting on a show and I have also learned a lot about music that I didn't know before. However, the most interesting thing I learned is that watching other people perform a show you've helped them to create can be just as rewarding as being on the stage yourself. I'm so impressed with the growth MCMP experiences each semester, and I look forward to future shows continuing to become better and better.

TC: What are your upcoming artistic projects?

AK: Currently, I'm producing MCMP's spring show, "Little Women." The cast, crew and production team are fantastic, and the show is really taking shape. Next year, I'm hoping to study music abroad in Argentina and in Israel. And, in a couple of years, watch for a senior work of some sort - maybe an opera.

TC:

AK: Wow, that's a tough one. I guess all I can do is work toward becoming the best musician I can be. While I can't say with any certainty what my future holds, I can say for sure that it will always involve music.