Photo Credit: Bill Elder

Ms. Amanda Tant is a music educator based in Western North Carolina. Since 2014, she has served as the Orchestra Director at Hendersonville Middle and Hendersonville High Schools, where she oversees a comprehensive program for students in grades 6-12. In addition to leading orchestral ensembles, Ms. Tant conducts the annual spring musical and serves as the Glee Club Sponsor.

Ms. Tant is an experienced conductor and clinician, working in a variety of settings including youth orchestras, all county festivals, musicals, and summer camps. Currently on staff with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestras, she leads the Sinfonia String Orchestra. As a performer, she serves as a section violist with the Hendersonville Symphony and Brevard Philharmonic.

Her professional contributions to music education have been recognized most recently by the North Carolina Symphony, receiving the 2025 Jackson Parkhurst Award for Special Achievement. She has also been recognized as the 2024 NCMEA Western Region Orchestra Teacher of the Year and Hendersonville High School’s Teacher of the Year for 2020-2021. Ms. Tant is a North Carolina Teaching Fellow alumna, graduating from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education.

Ms. Tant is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NCMEA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). She serves on the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra Board chairing the Education Committee.

Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, learning fiddle tunes, and experimenting with new recipes. Ms. Tant resides in Asheville with her family.