Amanda Sprague Hanzlik serves as President of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Region and is Director of Choral Activities at Edwin O. Smith High School in Storrs, Connecticut, as well as Director of Music at Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford. A two-time semifinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award (2022, 2024), she is also the recipient of the 2023 Connecticut State Department of Education Hero of the Arts Award.

Ms. Hanzlik made her Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2023 and is a frequent guest conductor for all-state and regional honor choirs. Under her leadership, the E.O. Smith Chamber Singers are regularly featured as a performing ensemble at ACDA and NAfME conferences and festivals.

Notable collaborations and innovative artistic initiatives include projects with Scott Hoying and Pentatonix, the development of composer-collaborative All-State choral experiences, and the founding of both the Connecticut All-State High School Treble Choir and the Children’s Justice Choir at the Aspen Music Festival.

A dedicated advocate for living composers and contemporary choral voices, Ms. Hanzlik actively cultivates new repertoire and cross-industry collaborations that expand the presence of choral music within broader cultural contexts. Her writing and thought leadership have appeared in The Choral Journal and ChorTeach, and she is regularly featured on national podcasts and media platforms focused on music education and choral artistry.

Ms. Hanzlik holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Vocal Performance) and K–12 Music Education from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.