Amanda Jane Ross
Success in today’s music industry demands versatility, and Amanda Jane exemplifies this ideal. A classically trained, award-winning jazz vocalist, she embodies the spirit of a modern musician, adept in multiple musical styles. Her journey into music was profoundly shaped by her grandfather, a drummer who performed across jazz, country, and rock genres. Watching him perform ignited her passion, transforming her from a captivated audience member to a fellow performer on stage.
About
Amanda Jane Ross is a jazz vocalist, educator, and multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges tradition, storytelling, and innovation. Her musical journey began at the age of eight as a saxophonist, an instrument she studied throughout her early education before discovering a profound connection to the voice during college, a pivotal moment that transformed the course of her artistic life. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into a calling, leading her toward an expansive career devoted to performance, collaboration, education, and creative exploration across genres.
Her artistry gained national recognition in 2019 when she received the prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award for Solo Jazz Voice, a nationally recognized honor that affirmed her emerging voice within the contemporary jazz landscape. Legendary jazz musician Wynton Marsalis described her as having a “wonderful voice,” a moment that remains especially meaningful in her artistic journey. Since then, Amanda Jane has continued to cultivate a dynamic and deeply expressive musical identity rooted in both technical excellence and emotional authenticity.
Amanda Jane earned a Vocational Degree in Professional Music from The School of Music Vocations before becoming the first vocalist to graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She recently completed her Master of Music in Jazz Voice Performance at Michigan State University, where she made history as the first jazz voice major to graduate from the program in nearly thirty years under the mentorship of acclaimed vocalist Ms. Carmen Bradford.
Throughout her career, Amanda Jane has collaborated with and learned from many celebrated artists, including Joshua Redman, Sylvia Cuenca, Edward Simon, Warren Wolf, Akira Tana, John Clayton, René Marie, Sean Jones, Rodney Whitaker, and The Real Group. Her performance experience spans concert halls, educational settings, interdisciplinary productions, and collaborative ensemble work, reflecting a versatility that continues to shape her artistic voice.
In 2025, Amanda Jane earned national recognition alongside Michigan State University’s Bebop Spartans, receiving Second Place at the National Collegiate Jazz Championship. She was also awarded an Honorable Mention for Outstanding Vocalist, recognizing her individual artistry and presence as a performer.
Beyond the stage, Amanda Jane is passionate about crafting immersive artistic experiences that merge music, visual storytelling, and design. Her work reflects a commitment not only to honoring the rich legacy of jazz, but also to expanding its possibilities for new audiences and future generations. Through performance, education, and creative collaboration, she continues to push artistic boundaries while inspiring others to embrace the transformative power of music.
Teaching
Beyond performance, Amanda Jane maintains an active and dedicated teaching practice. She runs a private studio, offering both in-person and Zoom lessons to students across a wide range of ages and levels, supporting the development of strong technical foundations as well as individual artistic identity.
Her teaching experience includes directing solo and ensemble jazz voice at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts High School, as well as teaching private lessons in voice, piano, saxophone, and rock band at Bird Music School in San Francisco. Across these settings, she has worked with developing musicians in both classical and contemporary styles, emphasizing adaptability, musicianship, and creative expression.
Her teaching approach focuses on building confident, versatile musicians who understand not only how to perform music, but how to listen, collaborate, and think creatively within it. She places equal value on technical development and artistic curiosity, encouraging students to find their own voice while developing strong musical fundamentals.
A Voice For Your Event
Performing
Amanda Jane is currently based between Michigan and California, maintaining an active and versatile performance career across both regions. Her work spans big band and small ensemble jazz, as well as musical theater, classical repertoire, and contemporary pop and R&B, reflecting a stylistically fluent voice grounded in both tradition and modern expression.
Her performance work has taken her across a wide range of professional and academic settings, where she continues to engage audiences through improvisation, storytelling, and collaborative ensemble work.
For booking inquiries, please submit requests below. Recordings and additional media are available via the YouTube link above.
