About

San Diego native and Filipino-American cellist Amanda Skye Laborete is endlessly curious - about music, about people, and about the world we all share. Whether performing on stage, guiding students toward their own artistic breakthroughs, or finding ways to merge her love of music and wildlife, she thrives in spaces where creativity meets connection.

A graduate of Eastman and Manhattan School of Music, Amanda’s principal mentors include Julia Lichten, David Geber, and Alan Harris. She has built an adventurous career that spans orchestral, chamber, and genre-blurring performances, sharing the stage with artists as diverse as Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Renée Fleming, Arcade Fire, Jason Mraz, Cody Fry, and Wu-Tang Clan - because music, like life, is at its best when explored in full color.

Amanda’s performing career includes roles with the Boulder Philharmonic and Santa Fe Opera, as well as past positions with the Colorado Symphony and frequent engagements with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Albany Symphony Orchestra. From the soaring landscapes of Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the storied halls of Carnegie Hall, she thrives on the magic of live performance - creating, collaborating, and bringing music to life in fresh and unexpected ways.

But Amanda doesn’t just love making music, she loves sharing it too! Teaching is one of her greatest joys, and she has served on the faculties of El Sistema Colorado, San Diego State Summer Music Institute, Hochstein School of Music, ROCmusic, and Harlem School of the Arts. Now based in Denver, she maintains a private studio where she encourages her students to embrace their own artistic voices with curiosity, courage, and a little bit of playfulness. For Amanda, teaching isn’t just about the notes, it’s about storytelling, problem-solving, and discovering the magic within the music.

Her love of storytelling extends beyond music. As an advocate for Filipino representation in classical music, Amanda is honored to be part of the Filipino American Music Foundation, working to amplify diverse voices in the field. She is also the founder of Concertvation, an initiative that unites her love of music with her deep commitment to wildlife conservation. Through performances, Concertvation raises awareness and funds to protect animals and their habitats, using music to spark empathy and inspire action.

When she’s not performing, teaching, or dreaming up new ways to merge music and conservation, you can find Amanda outside - hiking with her dogs Arlo and Louie, cuddling with her Cat Bubu, volunteering at the zoo, or marveling at the quiet wisdom of the natural world. She believes that, much like music, nature holds stories waiting to be heard and wonders meant to be shared.

Because at the heart of it all, Amanda is always listening - for the music, the stories, and the moments that remind us how connected we all are.