Born to professional classical musicians and the youngest of three children, Amy White was both nurtured and surrounded by several genres of music.  Amy composes and plays by ear.  As a result, she has a unique approach to composition and her work reflects this serendipitous combination of contemporary instrumental, classical, jazz, folk, pop and rock influences.

Although piano is her first love, Amy is a natural multi-instrumentalist who delights in the challenge and inspiration of various instruments.  Her duo and ensemble performances regularly feature piano, mandolin, guitar, Ashiko Drum, percussion, Bodhran, and even the hand-whistle, a highly unusual and unfailingly entertaining innovation.   Amy began composing music in early childhood and began performing in her early teens with dance theater ensembles at Washington area universities, concert series, and arts festivals.  Over the years, she appeared in concert with a world-beat ensemble, recorded and performed with two a capella groups at Kenyon College, and performed as a soloist and composer at  Dance Recitals.  From 1994 to the present, Amy has been performing most often with her husband, guitarist and duo-partner Al Petteway.

Alto 1 Section -- from the "Sing Sing" album
Kenyon College Owl Creek Singers 1983/84

Amy began composing music in early childhood.  She won her first award for piano composition from the Virginia Music Teacher’s Association at the age of eleven, and has continued to receive acclaim.  In 1995, Amy received an award from the Maryland State Arts Council for her solo instrumental performance on piano. She received the same award for her solo mandolin performance in 1998.   Her debut recording of original compositions, Piano Diaries, was named ‘Best New Age Album’ in 1996, by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA).

Although she cannot top her brother’s coming-of-musical-age story (Andy requested his favorite symphonies and arias by singing them in his crib, well before he had learned to speak) music did figure prominently in Amy's life.  As a child, Amy routinely parodied her mother’s voice students.  –She’d sing Tarzan to Carmen in the forest surrounding her home.  Her mother was very kind about scolding her for this habit, particularly since there were times when she sounded better than many of the students!  The music teacher at elementary school was not as generous, however, and Amy was often sent to the principal’s office for singing with excessive vibrato.

Amy has always enjoyed making music on any available instrument.  She composed music for all the instruments brought back from her father’s trips abroad, from Charangos to Balalaikas.   When traditional musical instruments weren’t available, Amy was resourceful.  Breakfast dishes were always fair game, the more variety the better -- and a disemboweled piano harp, as well, which sounded best when struck by flung objects.  And the creek in front of her childhood home held infinite possibilities...  Over twenty-five years ago, Amy and her sister Lisbet learned to whistle through their hands.  They learned this hand-whistling so well that they began performing rounds and complex two-part harmonies.  It was only later in life that they learned this type of whistling was not a standard past-time.  They are always surprised and pleased to meet a fellow hand-whistler who can join in their rounds.  The sisters recently made their national hand-whistling debut on a special NPR / All Things Considered interview broadcast on Thanksgiving Day, 1998.  This ATC interview featured stories about "music in the family" and live performance of selections from Amy's latest release, Bittersweet ~ an American Romance.

In addition to music, Amy also enjoys working in the visual arts.  Two of her block prints appear on the Piano Diaries CD.  "The Piano" is on the cover.  "Caravan" is a bonus-hidden print for those in the know and for those curious enough to lift the tray from the jewel box to view it.   Amy also enjoys stone carving, stained glass, hand-built ceramics and silver-casting.  (She created her and Al's wedding rings.)  Over time, the facilities at Fairewood Studios will be expanded.   Many of the artworks described above will be offered for sale through this web site, and at Amy and Al's musical performances.