Amy Wood is a native Calgarian; born, raised, away and returned. As a self-taught singer songwriter then classically trained musician, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, performing and teaching.

 

Amy had always been drawn to creating her own songs, spending endless childhood hours at the piano, playing and singing. It wasn’t until studying with gifted music educators such as Kathy Dornian, Erin and Dawn Johnson, Winston Noren, Pat Hrynkiw, Derek Stoll and Ben Butterfield, that she began to fall in love with the process of honing technique, the intricacies of music theory and the possibilities of classical interpretation. Amy began her formal piano studies late in high school, completing her RCM Grade 10 exam a few years later and continuing on to receive a Bachelor of Music Performance (Classical Voice) from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Education in Ottawa. 

 

Wood released ‘Sound Home Light’, her third album of original songs in 2016. The artist spent a week in Brooklyn, NY, recording with Mason Jar Music after hearing their instrumental arrangements on a Josh Garrels album and their subway station performance with Feist and orchestra. “I’d never heard such creative and beautiful orchestrations in the songwriter’s genre." Amy says. "The instruments were masterfully played and each part was crafted to the movements and meaning of the song. After spending time with Jon Seale (producer) and some MJM musicians I can see how it all happens. There’s no shortage of genius in that team. I feel so grateful that together we created my dream album." 

 

Highlights of Wood’s performing career include being voted one of Victoria, B.C.’s Top 5 musicians in CBC Radio’s ‘Hunt for Canada’s Best New Artist’. She was also recognized as a semi-finalist in the annual International Songwriting Competition and as a finalist in the Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Competition. Amy has been highlighted twice on CBC Radio’s ‘This is My Music’ as an artist of great potential and unique style by Canada’s renowned classical vocalists Benjamin Butterfield and Daniel Taylor. She also held a leading role in Opera Nuova’s Albert Herring. 

 

More recently, Amy has followed her passion for education, teaching over 1000 students in Calgary, Victoria and Ottawa as a private music instructor and an elementary music specialist with the Calgary Arts Academy, Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Montessori School. She has attended professional development at Carnegie Hall in New York as well as the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She is honoured each time she gets to witness a student’s gifts and take part in nurturing them. 

 

Amy and her husband Phillip live a wonderful, ordinary life filled with bike rides, family meals and playtime with their three year old son Peter.