Amanda Cornet’s Passion for Her Students and Community
Amanda Cornet, a passionate orchestra director at Sand Creek Intermediate and Fishers Junior High in Fishers, Indiana, is a whirlwind of creativity and dedication. In addition to her orchestra and general music classes, you can find her co-directing the fall play, nurturing her award-winning Strolling Strings program, or leading her school’s music faculty as department chair.
Amanda is the first recipient of The Spark Award, presented by Alfred Music and MakeMusic. In this interview, she shared her love for teaching, the joy of seeing students grow, and the inspiration behind her remarkable community outreach efforts.
What Makes Music Education So Rewarding?
For Amanda, no two days are the same, which is exactly what she loves about teaching music, especially at the junior high level. While many teachers shy away from this age group, Amanda embraces it. “I just love that every day is different,” she said. “They can be at the start of class being really happy, and by the end of the class, they’re grumpy teenagers—but I love the fact that it changes and that I can see and share the changes in the students.”
It’s in these moments of change that she finds the most joy—watching her students grow, not just as musicians but as people. She shared an inspiring story about walking into her beginner class to find her seventh and eighth-grade students already rehearsing together, taking ownership of a piece they loved and becoming leaders right before her eyes.
This self-motivation and collaboration are at the heart of her teaching philosophy. Amanda believes in empowering students to take risks, step outside their comfort zones, and support one another. It’s about nurturing a love for music that extends beyond the classroom.
From High School Hobby to Lifelong Calling
Amanda’s journey to becoming a music educator was a series of unexpected opportunities. In high school, she was asked to give lessons and was even put in charge of the pep band for a basketball game one night. “I liked being in charge of doing that,” she admitted. “And being able to take what I knew and seeing it be applied.”
Though her school did not have an orchestra, Amanda joined a local Adult Community Orchestra that her mom played in—they were even stand partners. In the school band and choir programs she was enrolled in, she enjoyed the opportunities to play her violin when they arose.
A turning point came when an illness forced her to take a break from college. She started substitute teaching and found herself in a band class. It was then that she realized her passion for music education wasn’t just a phase—it was her calling. This real-world experience, she believes, made her a better student teacher and a more dedicated educator.
She sparks this same passion in her students by showing them that music can be both serious and fun. Her professional performance experience, which she still maintains today, demonstrates that music can be a lifelong pursuit. She encourages her students to find their creative outlet through music, whether they become professional musicians or simply continue to enjoy it as an audience member.
Strolling Strings: A Community Outreach Success Story
Amanda’s commitment to community is exemplified by her innovative Strolling Strings program. What began 20 years ago as a way for students from different schools to connect has grown into a beloved community institution.
The group performs at a variety of venues throughout the community, including a local assisted living and memory care facility. “You only see people at the holidays at the assisted living centers, and I’m like, we can’t do that,” she said, so they make sure to visit year-round. Her dedication to bringing joy to these residents is rooted in a personal connection to music. Her father, a classical DJ who developed Alzheimer’s, found a way to connect with his family through music.
These performances have led to some truly memorable moments. Amanda recalled a resident whose mother was the first violinist in Indiana in the 1930s. The woman got up, took over the conducting, and even played with the students. At elementary school performances, students invite younger kids to come up and conduct them or try out an instrument. These interactions create lasting connections and pass the love of music down to the next generation.
Empowering Every Student to Make Music: The Sound Garden
A long-term project that Amanda has also taken on is a unique “Sound Garden” featuring percussive instruments that are in the shapes of butterflies and flowers. Funded by grants that Amanda has secured, this special place brings students together to experience music.
In a special story shared, the students from the campus Functional Academic Program (FAP) kept a steady beat or created appropriate rhythms on the Sound Garden instruments while Amanda’s beginning students performed Hot Cross Buns—an inspiring performance with students who wouldn’t always have the opportunity to perform together.
With future grants, Amanda hopes to add a type of marimba keyboard instrument to the Sound Garden. The goal is to end up with a complete instrumental musical garden for students and adults to enjoy!
A Look Toward the Future of Music Education
When asked what she hopes for the future of music education, Amanda’s answer was clear: “I hope that music education classrooms embrace creativity… and making connections both in and out of the classroom.”
She hopes that students and teachers alike recognize that everyone is a contributor to the overall experience of making and appreciating music. Her final advice to her peers is to never stop learning and to “embrace your mistakes.”
“You can’t just go, ‘Okay, this is what I’ve done for years,'” she said. “You need to be willing to go with the times.”