Meet Amanda Vazquez | Actress & Voice Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Vazquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was living on Cape Cod after I graduated from College, and at first, I wanted to find a new hobby. I joined UpWork and LinkedIn in the hopes of finding a job that could benefit me in the performing arts. I was primarily looking for assistant jobs in the casting field or assistant directing jobs in the area. I was not finding exactly what I wanted, mainly because I had no idea what I wanted to do. I still wanted to be an actress and make my way to New York to be on Broadway. That is still the goal today, however, I knew I needed a job to help pay the bills while auditioning and in between contracts. I had always been told I would make a great teacher and had a natural gift when it came to being around kids. In middle school, I took over the choir department when my teacher fell in, and in high school, I was the drama president and musical director. I knew how to get across to people my age and younger. So one day, I sat down and wrote a “December Flyer” about my teaching business. I offered voice lessons, piano lessons, and audition techniques. I sent the letter to as many emails as I had available and in a couple weeks, I received a phone call. It was a mother who came across my flyer and saw I had graduated from Emerson College. She is also an Emerson Alumni and immediately reached out for lessons for her daughter. I met the two and we had our first lesson. From that moment, I knew I wanted to do this and make it my business. This mother is also the drama teacher at a middle school and put in me in touch with two more mothers who wanted lessons for their children. A year later, I have five students I see every single week from ages 13-32, and this is only the beginning. I have had numerous drop-in lessons and audition coachings, even some new professional actors in NYC. All this to say, I started my business not knowing what the out come was going to be, and looking back a year later, I would not change a thing because it has led me to where I am today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a musical theater actress. I began with piano lessons at the age of 6 and fell in love with music. I auditioned for my first musical at 12, got cast as the understudy, and was over the moon about the whole thing. I wanted to be on Broadway and still do! As an actor, you are always trying to find what makes you different, and what makes you stand out, and to be honest, I’m still not sure what my niche is. I have come a long way with confidence in what I do and I think that is my difference. I am still learning and I am still okay with not being perfect. I accept my flaws and use them as a lesson for the next time. I used to cry myself to sleep when I didn’t get the part I worked so hard for. Until one day, when I realized I could only control what I could do in the audition. That changed my perspective entirely and it was not an easy adjustment. I still have to remind myself that it is okay to mess up and not be perfect. There are times, less now than in the past when I have just thought about throwing in the towel completely. Then I listen to my students, and I hear how hard they get on themselves to be perfect, and I talk them down from that mindset. I remind them that they are talented and we can be our own worst enemy. In a way, I remind myself that I can’t be too hard on myself about perfection. I’ve learned to be comfortable in what I can do and showcase what I am best at. I am always willing to learn more and I think that separates me from the pack. I want to be great but I am perfectly happy being just good at times.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live out in Brooklyn so food spots for me out here are definetley the Harlem Shake for a good burger and milkshake. I also love Dino’s BQQ and they have an amazing happy hour special. Who wouldn’t want an NYC bagel so my favorite is Konditori. If we wanted a fun night out, I personally love Ginger’s and Good Judy for dancing near me. In Manhattan I would take them to the Box, if I can. The Red Lion is probably my favorite spot in the city for a good time, live music, and dancing. And of course, have to get a hot dog at Gray’s Papaya.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be the person I am without the people around me, and while there are so many to thank who have helped me along the way, my parents are the ultimate reason I am here today. They both are very determined, hard-working people who have given the best life to my brother and me. They taught us to never give up on our dreams no matter what the general public has to say about it. I wanted to be an actress at the age of 12, and while everyone around said to be realistic, my parents enrolled me in voice lessons and my first musical. To this day, they still encourage me to never give up this dream. They let me go to school 1000 miles away in Boston where I met some of the most amazing people ever. My teachers and classmates at Emerson College, as cheesy as it is, changed my life. They pushed me to become the best version of myself every single day, not only as a performer but as a young adult. I still keep in contact with my teachers and my classmates are the 13 best friends I never knew I needed. Lastly, I want to dedicate this to my young students and how much they teach me every day. I feel like I am a part of their journey of life. I get to teach them how to sing, however, I get to teach them so much more. I teach them how to be confident in themselves and their flaws, I teach them that “perfection” is just an idea we create for ourselves, and I get to feel like their friends. I tell all my students that I am here for them as their teacher but more importantly, as their friend.

Website: https://amandavazquez.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaaa_vazquez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-v-a94b4b121/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005428006464

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFIlvmeyMt3tfC9d1A-bWg

Image Credits
House of Momo (modeling)- Designer and creator- Momo; Photographer- Sam Wachs; Makeup- Hannah Lauren MUA Company- Academy of the Performing Arts; photographer- Bob Tucker Into the Woods – Emerson College; Photographer- Craig Bailey Big Fish- Emerson College; photographer-Dennis Dizon Baby on Board- Ensemble Stage; photographer- Bill Barbour; Duchess of LES – photographer/costume designer Desirée Conston