Las Vegas Drummer Has Been Playing Since She Was a Young Child
One cold December morning, an 8-year-old girl sits at her desk and writes out her Christmas list to Santa. After Santa delivers the shiny new drum set down her chimney, Amy Crosley discovers her love for the drums. Music became her life, and taught her so many things while growing up. She joined the jazz bands and concert bands at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts High School, then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in jazz and Commercial Music Performance at the University of Las Vegas. Now, she is currently almost finished with her master’s degree in jazz and Commercial Music Performance and her K-12 Music Education Certificate. She has been a professional drum set player and percussionist in town for the past 9 years.
Disney Movies Motivated Las Vegas Drummer to Play Jazz
Watching classic Disney movies sparked Crosley’s interest in music. In Fantasia 2000, they do a scene with ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ by George Gershwin and in the scene there is a jazz drummer.
“I remember being so enamored by the drummer and wanting to be like him,” Crosley said. The movie sparked her love for jazz. The other movie was Tarzan. “There’s a scene where they are playing on a bunch of percussion instruments and I remember playing on pots and pans along with the music as a kid,” Crosley said.
Playing Music is an Helpful Hobby for Kids
Music teaches kids important life skills. “It teaches kids how to be independent and driven, and to be successful at anything in life, you must have these things,” Crosley said. Music is usually the first place where they learn this. Music gives kids a purpose and teaches them how to express themselves. “Everyone has a creative spirit, and music allows people to be themselves,” Crosley said. Musicians have to work together as a team. “It teaches children how to get along with other people,” Crosley said. In music, people are constantly communicating with each other.
“Being a drummer makes me feel fierce,” Crosley said, “My personality is very calm and mild but when I get on the drums I love to tear it up.” Crosley takes pride in being the heartbeat of the band. She doesn’t try to overshadow other people, and wants to make them feel powerful, too. “I don’t play loud and fast all the time, and I try to accent other people and make them feel good,” Crosley said. When it’s her time to shine, that’s when she goes nuts.
Classical percussion, jazz, rock, and salsa: each different genre of music serves a purpose for Crosley. “I like having variety in my life because it keeps my life exciting and fresh,” Crosley said. Every music gig offers something new and keeps her life exciting. “Whether I am traveling around the country, playing on stage with a symphony orchestra, a production show with showgirls, playing in a jazz lounge, or playing rock on the rooftop of a bar, I love being involved in everything,” Crosley said. Music brings her a reason. “Being a drummer has been the best thing to ever happen to me in my life,” Crosley said.