Amanda Durst

Amanda Durst (she/her) is a fundraiser, educator, and musician with a passion for community engagement and equitable fundraising practices. During her career, Amanda has worked with healthcare organizations, social and human services nonprofits, large performing arts organizations, and music education programs to raise funds, streamline grant writing processes, strengthen community partnerships, and bring an equity lens to development and fundraising. She recognizes that an organization’s greatest strength lies within its people, and enjoys connecting with others and helping them reach their fullest potential.

About Amanda

In addition to her work as a fundraiser, Amanda enjoys a career as a professional cellist, performing with several orchestras in Western North Carolina. In her work as a musician, she values fostering connections through music, performing music by underrepresented composers, and making music education accessible to all. Amanda grew up in southern Maryland and received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Music from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she served as the orchestra’s principal cellist, received hands-on arts administration experience, and received the Alice Fleury Zamanakos and Arthur S. Zamanakos Prize in Music.

Drawn to the mountains and vibrant arts community, Amanda moved to Asheville, NC in 2018 from southern Maryland. In her free time, she loves trying new recipes, running while listening to podcasts, and exploring nature with her partner and her cat.