Lauded by acclaimed trumpeter Allan Dean as "wonderful people and excellent players," Amo Brass is a chamber ensemble that blends musical entertainment with artistic excellence. The ensemble formed in 2020 as a group of friends wanting to safely make music outside during a pandemic. Amo has since graduated from those informal meetings to touring the country. Composed of Yale School of Music alumni, the ensemble is based in the Tri-State area and is passionate about education, community engagement, and performance. Together, they have spent summers at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and Avaloch Farms Music Institute. In 2022, they were named Gold Medalist winners of the Cambridge International Music Competition and first prize winners in the BTHVN Wien Competition. They also advanced as finalists in the Charleston International Music Competition and Amadeus International Music Competition. Most recently, Amo Brass was a Finalist Prize-winner at the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and also received the ABQ Prize at the 50th Fischoff Competition, becoming the first brass quintet to advance in over a decade. They recently completed a week-long educational outreach tour for public school students in the California Bay Area, where they visited 5 local schools and organized a side-by-side recital alongside students.

Amo Brass frequently works with local organizations and nonprofits, and firmly believes in balancing world class artistry with community partnership. All members are alumni of the Yale Music in Schools Initiative, which delivers free music education to underserved public school students of the New Haven community. As part of our commitment to accessible education, Amo Brass performances seamlessly navigate diverse landscapes of music with precision and style. From soulful jazz improvisations to the well-known melodies of movie soundtracks and energetically driving rhythms of contemporary classical music, Amo Brass is able to traverse a dynamic spectrum of moods, styles, and genres. With a passion for exploration and a commitment to musical excellence, Amo Brass concerts are known for creating an engaging and captivating experience for audiences.

When not performing or teaching, the members of Amo Brass enjoy going on runs (Olivia is the fastest), spending time outdoors (Connor keeps a weather journal), cooking (Vivi is the chef of the group), playing video games (Josh has the best set up), watching TV (David’s dream is an Amo Brass LOTR marathon), and religiously completing the daily NYT crossword puzzle.

Vision & Mission

Amo Brass' vision for their ensemble is to provide a musical experience which offers a commitment to accessible education, cultural leadership, and public service.

Our mission is to connect the cultural fabric of communities by presenting diverse educational programming, musical performances, and community collaborations to audiences.

Equity Statement

Amo Brass is committed to standing up against racism, sexism, and systemic inequalities which plague the field of classical music. All members are alumni of the Yale Music in Schools Initiative, which delivers free music education to underserved public school students of the New Haven community. Members Olivia Martinez and Vivian Kung are also active members of the Chromatic Brass Collective, a group which celebrates, performs, mentors and educates in an effort to increase the visibility of racially and ethnically underrepresented women and gender non-conforming people throughout the brass world.