Amanda Gardier Quartet w/ Charlie Ballantine at The Jazz Kitchen

Amanda Gardier (alto sax), Charlie Ballantine (guitar), Jesse Wittman (bass), Clay Wulbrecht (piano), Chris Parker (drums)

Amanda Gardier grew up in St. Charles, IL (western suburb of Chicago), where she begin her jazz education early studying with Doug Stone and John Wojceichowski. Amanda left Illinois to pursue a Bachelor of Music Education with a Minor in Jazz Studies at Indiana University (IU). While at IU, Amanda had the privaledge of studying with David Baker, Steve Houghton, Michael Spiro, Tom Walsh, Corey Christiansen, and other master performers educators. At IU, Amanda performed as the lead alto saxophonist in the Brent Wallarab Ensemble, the Latin Jazz Ensemble, and the Soul Revue. She also performed as the baritone saxophonist in the Latin Jazz Ensemble and as the principal alto saxophonist in the Concert Band. While pursing her degree, Amanda spent her summers performing in the Disneyland All-American College Band, the stage bands of Holland-America Cruise Line, and with the Faculty Big Band at Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

After graduating from IU in 2014, Amanda stayed in Indiana to perform regularly as a leader, a sideman, and a session musician at venues and recording studios throughout Indianapolis and across the Midwest. She can be found performing regularly at the Jazz Kitchen, the Chatterbox, and other music venues and theaters around the city. Amanda also works regularly as a session musician, recording demos for the Hal Leonard Corporation and other companies in Indianapolis and Bloomington. Amanda has performed alongside prominent jazz artists and session musicians including Wycliffe Gordon, Sal Lozano, Brian Culbertson, Leni Stern, Dave Stryker, Steve Houghton, Wayne Wallace, Tom Garling, Wes Anderson, Jeff Campbell, and Kenny Phelps.

In addition to maintaining a busy performance career, Amanda teches band at Zionsville West Middle School and maintains a studio of private students. After student teaching at North Central High School in Indianapolis, IN and working as a Performing Arts Instructional Assistant at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, IN, Amand found her home teaching within the Zionsville Community School system, where she teaches band for grades 5, 7, and 8 and leads the after-school jazz program.