Amanda Duncan

Since childhood, music has been my passion and I fall more in love with it every day. It has taught me to carry myself with confidence and given me the pride to express myself freely. My favorite memory involving music is when I performed my original music for the first time at an Open Mic Night at The Colony [after a snowstorm]. I was so nervous. But, once I walked in, felt the lit fireplace, and saw the small crowd, I knew the vibes were perfect for me. The reaction to my songs gave me the confidence to build a band for my originals (Amanda & the Birds) and perform around Tulsa. On the daily, I feel like Hannah Montana. By day, I live a normal life teaching sixth grade science at Edison and by night I become a rock star. I get the best of both worlds, so to speak. Between gigging and teaching, I love to play soccer and hang out with my friends.

Andra Pantelimon

I’ve been singing since I was a little girl. For me, singing—and music in general—represents the ultimate form of self-expression and connection, a way to communicate emotions and stories in a universal language. One of my favorite memories [from college] was singing at a women’s shelter with my a cappella group. Our performance resonated deeply with the audience, and seeing how music could bring comfort and joy in a vulnerable moment was incredibly moving. Outside of singing, I work for a non-profit venture studio, where we invest in early-stage startups. I’m originally from Bucharest, Romania, and came to the US for college. I recently moved to Tulsa from Seattle, WA, and am eager to explore my new home and build connections, especially in music and the arts.

L’aria Krautter

My favorite memory [of music] is singing with two of my sisters and my brother in a school talent show. I had performed before, but this was the first time I had a solo singing part! Although the performance itself was so much fun and such a memorable experience, rehearsing at home is what I remember best. Spending time with each other, laughing, and singing together was amazing. It was the first time music really took over for me. I caught the singing bug then, and I haven’t recovered since. By day I am a personal trainer at a physical therapy clinic! I love designing, hanging out with my family and friends, dancing, and participating in musicals. I am also a beginner music production student and like writing my own songs as well. I study Japanese a little here and there, and I love to clean and organize!

Mackenzie Manning

The thing that got me into music was definitely musical theater. And even if it’s pretty unrealistic that people would burst out into song, I love to live in the world that I’m in and the songs that I sing when in shows as if I’m escaping reality into my character. My favorite memory involving music was definitely my first time performing at the PAC for The Discovery Awards. It was very fun and amazing experience to perform on such a big stage in front of lot of people. When i’m not singing im usually dancing which is my second favourite thing to do. Right now i’m taking jazz, tap, ballet, and modern dance lessons.

Ryan McGovern

The first seven notes of Disney’s animated Beauty and the Beast got me into music. My aunt took me to see it and was scared I was too young to sit still. She [still] tells the story of how I didn’t move at all and barely blinked, from the second the lights dimmed until the final rose petal fell. My favorite music memories are [on childhood roadtrips when] Bruce Springsteen would be blasting. Even as a kid, the sweeping anthemic feeling of “Born to Run” would wash over me. I work at the Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center, so even at work, I am surrounded by great American songs! I like cooking, facetiming with my nephew, and checking out spots in Tulsa I haven’t experienced before. My main hobby outside of work is my Taylor Swift tribute band, so even when I’m not singing, I am usually working on producing our next show!

Shannon O’Brien

My dad was a very talented musician and I got to see how the beauty of music unfolded all throughout his life. He encouraged me to sing from a young age and even took me to gigs to sing with him. This was a joy! One of my favorite memories [of] music was when I got to sing the national anthem for the Concordia Invitational Tournament basketball championship! I was so nervous singing with this many fans. When I [finished] the song, the whole arena started chanting, “USA! USA!” We were one. I helped create this experience! When I’m not singing, my greatest joy is to be with people! I get to do this a lot with my job as well at Stand in the Gap, where I work with young adults from hard places and connect them with a team of mentors. A lot of my life consists of networking, connecting and cheering people on!

Teague Applegate

I’m a professional dancer with the Tulsa Ballet [and] had a unique opportunity to participate in a free voice lesson, taught by a broadway singer who was joining [us] for [a] performance. I wanted to know if singing could be an alternative route to performing after my ballet career. I learned that singing is a very different way of expressing yourself [than] dancing, and that fascinates me and inspires me to continue learning about music. I used to be very interested in playing the drums, and in one performance as a teenager I played a solo while my fellow artists danced. It was a beautiful moment where I was able to experience the accompanist’s point of view and gain a deeper understanding of music as it relates to my work. When I’m not dancing I love getting coffee with friends, being in nature, or thrift shopping. I also love jazz clubs.

Tori Brunk

I connected with music from a very young age! I would put on “concerts” for my family in the living room. [My favorite memory of music is from when] I was in high school choir. One of the field trips we took was to nursing homes around Christmas to sing to residents. I had a solo [singing] “Mary did you know?.” During my solo, I had made eye contact with several residents and noticed how much impact and emotion music brings to so many. It was such a heartwarming feeling to notice that my passion truly meant something to others like it did to me. I spend my time with my husband and our fur baby, Meeka! I own my own Wedding Planning Business and spend lots of my time making a couple’s dream day happen! I love hanging out with friends and being social. I’m always down for an adventure and love making memories.