Originally from Delaware, Ohio, AMANDA BLICKSENDERFER is currently a student of Yehuda Hanani at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, earning her bachelors degree in Cello Performance. Amanda began playing the cello in the Delaware City School's strings program at the age of ten. Since then, Amanda has studied with Dr. Marie-Aline Cadieux, Wendy Morton, and Dr. Steven Shumway. Amanda has attended the Interlochen Arts Camp, Mid-America Chamber Music Festival, and ENCORE School for Strings. Blickensderfer was a finalist in the 2001 Miami University Undergraduate Artists Competition, the string division winner of the 2003 Sigma Alpha Iota Performance Scholarship, a first place winner in the 2004 Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Agnes Fowler Competition, and as a member of the FAZA String Quartet, a first place winner of the 2004 CCM Chamber Music Competition. Amanda has played in various chamber music and orchestral ensembles including the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra, CCM's Concert Orchestra and I.N.T.Y. (contemporary ensemble), and will be a member of the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra next season. In addition to playing the cello, Amanda enjoys running and has completed two marathons.