SCO Musician Highlight: Amanda Rusten

Meet Amanda Rusten, flautist for Stratus Chamber Orchestra! 

The 2022-23 season was Amanda’s first full season with Stratus, although she has been subbing for the ensemble ever since it was called Musica Sacra! Her musical background and education includes studying flute at Queensland Conservatory, studying with William Bennett at Summer Flute Academy, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Flute Performance and Master of Arts in Education from the University of Denver.

Amanda has a special spot in her heart for live music, and she knows that nothing compares to a live performance. Her favorite thing about playing with an orchestra is the adrenaline she feels from performing, and how each moment of a concert is special and unique. She loves the feeling of collaborating with many other musicians and loves the way this visually and emotionally impacts the audiences. She especially loves Stratus because of the way each musician strives to not only play notes on a page, but to make music together, and she loves the variety of repertoire Stratus plays, which always creates a quality and novel experience for the musicians and audience members.

This deep love for performing with an orchestra is reflected in her day-to-day life. Amanda was a K-8 music teacher and band/orchestra director for 14 years in Cherry Creek and Douglas County. She has since moved on to her current position as the Director for music, art, PE, drama, and technology at all three campuses of American Academy in Parker/Castle Pines. 

In her free time, Amanda enjoys running, painting, drawing, hiking, traveling, yoga, and spending time with her dogs and her family. And, did you know she has also been playing the cello for 10 years? In addition to performing with Stratus, you can also find her playing flute with the Gossamer Wind Quintet or cello with the Parker Symphony.