Finding Her Voice: Amber Farish ’13 and the Power of Making Music Together

For Amber Farish ’13, music has never been about the spotlight. It has always been about belonging — the quiet confidence that comes from making something meaningful with others.

Long before she arrived at the University of Central Florida, Farish was singing in the car, experimenting at the piano and moving through the world with rhythm and curiosity. In a home where music was joyful and unselfconscious, she learned early that making music did not require perfection. It required presence.

That belief followed her to UCF, where Farish transferred after beginning her studies at Seminole State. Drawn by the strength of the music program and encouraged by friends already enrolled, she arrived with an interest in music education and an openness to discovery. Once on campus, her path widened.

A Whole New World at UCF

“I started in music education and eventually switched into vocal performance,” Farish said. “I caught the performing bug again.”

As a music education major, Farish was immersed in technique courses that demanded versatility. She learned the fundamentals of strings, brass and woodwinds, gaining firsthand experience with instruments far beyond her own voice. From violin and clarinet to trumpet and French horn, the work deepened her respect for musicianship across disciplines.

“It really gives you an appreciation for people who do it well,” she said. “Even people who are still learning.”

That breadth of training taught Farish more than technique. It taught her how to listen closely, adapt quickly and lead with empathy — skills that would become central to her work as both a performer and an educator.

While developing as a vocalist, Farish also found purpose in leadership, serving as a section leader in choir and helping peers master challenging material. A high school choir teacher had first encouraged her to consider music education as a career, but it was at UCF where Farish began to understand that teaching and performing were not opposing paths, but complementary ones.

Leaning into Vocal Performance

Through UCF’s opera program, she performed in a range of productions, including works by Donizetti and Mozart, as well as the comedic Captain Lovelock. The experience brought together music, storytelling and collaboration — everything she had once imagined while singing alone at home as a child.

“It was everything I wanted,” she said.

Before graduating, Farish faced a defining decision. Rather than continuing toward music education internships, she chose to switch fully into performance, completing the required barrier jury to advance as a vocal performance major. It was a leap that carried both excitement and uncertainty.

Making music full time, Farish knows, is rare — and she does not take that reality lightly.

After earning her bachelor’s degree, she spent a year in Florida refining her craft before moving to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where she completed a master’s degree in vocal performance and literature. From there, she relocated to Chicago, building a multifaceted career as a professional singer, educator and ensemble member.

A Thriving Musical Career in the Windy City

Today, Farish teaches voice and piano, leads early childhood music classes and sings with the William Ferris Chorale, a professional ensemble known for its demanding contemporary repertoire and commissioned works. She has been a member of the chorale since 2017, drawn by music that challenges both ear and intellect.

“The music is very challenging,” she said. “You don’t always know where it’s going, and that keeps you sharp.”

In parallel, Farish has served as a cantor and choir singer for faith communities across traditions, gaining insight into how music functions as both art and service. Much of that work, she noted, comes not from auditions alone, but from reputation and trust built over time.

“Being prepared, being kind and being a good team member — that’s what gets you rehired,” she said.

As technology reshapes the profession, Farish embraces innovation where it supports sustainability and wellness. Like many musicians, she now relies on digital scores rather than stacks of printed music, reducing physical strain while making space for a growing repertoire. Just as important is caring for her voice — through hydration, rest, warmups and knowing when to step back.

“Your body is your instrument,” she said. “Resting is just as important as practicing.”

Building Joy, One Song at a Time

At the heart of Farish’s work is a belief that music belongs to everyone. In her early childhood classes, she emphasizes participation over performance, guiding families to sing and move together without fear or judgment. The science supports it — group music-making releases serotonin and dopamine — but the impact is easy to see.

“You feel good at the end,” she said. “And you can keep doing that at home, with your own community.”

Asked what she hopes readers take away from her story, Farish’s answer is both practical and generous.

“Making music for fun is okay,” she said. “And if you love it enough to want to make it a career, go for it — just make sure you have support along the way.”

She credits UCF with providing both foundation and community: the technical grounding of musicianship and the relationships that continue to shape her professional life.

“You’re creating your network while you’re learning your craft,” Farish said. “That community stays with you.”

Today, in classrooms, choir lofts and living rooms filled with song, Farish is doing what UCF first helped her learn — building confidence, connection and joy, one shared voice at a time.

And if there is one piece of advice she offers without hesitation, it is this:

“If you have kids, sing and dance with them at home.”