Amanda Lower is Mount Vernon’s Lower School Performing Arts Instructor focused on growing student confidence and social/emotional skills through movement. This is Amanda’s second year at Mount Vernon, having joined the school as an Interdisciplinary Artist and quickly finding her ‘home’ working with Mustangs in grades 2-5.
The Lower School’s Performing Arts curriculum builds the foundation for students’ confidence, allowing them to become strong presenters, to learn to express emotion, and to pursue the Mount Vernon inquiry mindsets – all through movement. The opportunities are endless – musicals, plays, talent shows, and special interdisciplinary projects that bring together arts and humanities. The program provides an incredible number of unique opportunities for young Mustangs to explore their creativity and design original work that inspires and has an impact.
Amanda is especially excited about the upcoming production of Little Women, a musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel. With an emphasis on singing and acting, the production is truly an intensive (only six weeks of preparation!) musical experience and a unique opportunity to explore a different time in history while intentionally inviting the actors to find their voice, especially listening to, and discerning the female voice. The musical not only has all-female faculty directors but also has all-female student leadership.
Amanda is an incredibly passionate artist and is fascinated by the power of the arts to help children find their voice and release through movement. An Atlanta native, she graduated from Duke University where she was recognized for the highest student contribution to the arts. She then earned an MFA in Dance from NYU’s prestigious Tisch School, paving the way to over twenty years of teaching dance, theater, music, and interdisciplinary studies to students of all ages. Amanda spent several years as a dance professor at Northwestern University and as Artist in Residence across multiple Chicago area schools. Returning to Atlanta and prior to joining the Mount Vernon community, she taught Dance at Agnes Scott College.
Amanda lives in Dunwoody with her husband, a Senior Minister at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian church, and two children, Matthew, and Anna Jean. In addition to the performing arts, Amanda is deeply interested in Women’s Studies and making our world a better place to live. Anyone who has experienced Amanda’s teaching style is keenly aware of her endless optimism, positive energy, and genuine encouragement of all Mustang performers. Thank you for sharing your passion and talents with our community, Amanda!