6 Questions with Amanda Gookin
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Redding, CT with my mother and stepfather and spent a significant amount of time in Dallas, TX and Lexington, KY with my father and stepmom.
What made you realize that music was a part of your path?
At first I wanted to be a veterinarian. I was obsessed with animals and all things natural sciences. It wasn’t until I was 13, about to enter high school, and needed to make decisions about my studies. Mannes prep and high school commitments didn’t allow much time for me to pursue other activities, so I made a conscious choice to go full speed ahead into music. As a kid, performing allowed me to emote and share what I was feeling in a way that I couldn't express verbally. My education was an enormous privilege and I’m grateful for the teachers and mentors who believed in me. My mom, most of all, supported my musical career every step of the way.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
When I was a young cellist, hands down Jacqueline Du Pré and Yo-Yo Ma were my biggest influences. As I grew up and entered adulthood, I came to know more raw female artists that pierced my soul and forever changed me. Artists like Patti Smith, Angélique Kidjo, Matana Roberts, Pauline Oliveros, Laura Mvula, and Tanya Tagaq.
Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you're most proud of?
There are three. It’s hard to narrow them down because they are all so different. My first is a memory of me at age 12 running out of a regional orchestra audition with my cello flailing at my side to tell my mom, who was waiting in the car, that I received a perfect score. The second is receiving a GRAMMY nomination for Freedom and Faith, an album very close to my heart, with PUBLIQuartet. The third is the moment on a long drive in Fall 2015 when I dreamed up my plan to start Forward Music Project and pursue a life of activism through music.
What made you want to perform on the Room to Breathe series?
My album, Forward Music Project 1.0, will be released on July 10th and this was perfect timing to share some of those tracks!
What’s the next thing for you?
I will be premiering six new commissions for Forward Music Project 3.0: fever dreams online this November. The performance is right between the passage of the 19th Amendment and the upcoming United States presidential election. More details on that will be released soon. Please tune in to the performance, but most importantly, please vote!