About
The Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra is the performing unit of the Atlanta Mandolin Society, Inc., established in 1994, and is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The Atlanta Mandolin Society has been organized to perpetuate knowledge and appreciation of music written for the mandolin and related instruments.
The Atlanta Mandolin Society is proud to have revived the mandolin orchestra in Atlanta. For over thirty years, beginning in the early Twentieth Century, there was a very fine mandolin orchestra in Atlanta under the direction of William Griffith. Mr. Griffith a mandolin instructor, performer, conductor and instrument dealer operated in Midtown - Atlanta, GA. Mr. Griffith created quite a rage for the mandolin during the first decades of the previous century and is fondly remembered by many.
The Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra is establishing its own history today under the direction of our conductor, Jennifer McCarthy!
Meet our Conductor - Jennifer McCarthy
Jennifer McCarthy has graciously accepted the position of conductor of the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra as of June 2025 upon the retirement of our conductor Ed Davis. She joined the AMO in Feb 2023 as a Mandolin 2 player and quickly became a valued member of our orchestra.
Jennifer McCarthy holds a Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education from Georgia State University and a Master's in Music Education from the University of West Georgia. She has taught middle school band, elementary music and/or private lessons for 25 years. Jennifer is currently the music specialist at Holly Springs STEM Academy. She is married to Stephen and they have three children: Joy, Jack and Jane. They live in Canton, Ga.
Musicians
Mandolin
Bob Knysz – Concertmaster,
CJ Buot, Eve Kuniansky, Nancy King, Atlee Breland, Ruth Kerl, Clare Stonebraker
Mandola
Donna Clegg, Juliette Morrell
Mandocello
Barbara Knysz, Ed Davis
Guitar
Walt Dean
Bass
Pete Senkowski
Conductor
Jennifer McCarthy
Slideshow Photos by Steve Papke