About Me

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Hi, I’m Amanda Grace Guilfoyle—though most people call me Mandy. I’m a professional cellist, educator, and founder of Guilfoyle Strings, where I help students grow into confident, expressive musicians through a mix of compassion, structure, and good old-fashioned hard work.

With over sixteen years of teaching experience and more than two decades of performance, my path has carried me from the concert stage to the classroom — and everywhere in between. I hold a B.A. in Music from Southern Methodist University, where I studied under world-renowned cellist Andrés Díaz, as well as a Master of Music in Music Education and an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership. My professional journey includes performing with ensembles like the Fort Smith Symphony and Dallas Pops, sailing as a featured musician aboard the Queen Mary 2, and directing youth orchestra programs throughout Texas.

Across all those chapters, my mission has stayed the same: to teach with empathy, curiosity, and care. I believe the best musicians are both technically skilled and deeply connected to the emotional language of sound. My approach blends conservatory-level training with an awareness of each student’s inner world — cultivating not only musical mastery but confidence, artistry, and joy.

Today, I teach private lessons in North Houston, Texas. Private lessons are available at $150 per hour, with a $20 travel fee for in-home instruction. Enrollment is intentionally limited to ensure every student receives the highest level of individual attention and mentorship.