Donovan Fuller
Donovan Fuller (AMP '22) joined the Atlanta Music Project as a six-year-old, during our summer programming in 2011. He selected the violin as his instrument. Following that summer, he joined our After-School Orchestra program with the City of Atlanta Recreation Centers, and eventually continued with the AMP Youth Orchestras.
Donovan spent all twelve of his grade school years as an AMP student, graduating in 2022. During his time at AMP, he participated in over 100 performances. He was Concertmaster of the AMP Senior Youth Orchestra and a participant in the AMP Academy. With AMP, he performed in Mexico City, under the direction of conductor Gustavo Dudamel. He also participated in the LA Phil's YOLA program where he performed in Aspen and Los Angeles. While in college, Donovan toured to Ottawa, Canada with the AMP Senior Youth Orchestra asa Music Mentor.
Donovan received a scholarship to attend Clayton State University to study music. He graduated with his degree in May of 2026.
In this interview, Donovan discusses his time at AMP and Clayton State, and gives advice to the next generation of AMP students.
How does it feel to have obtained a college degree?
It feels great obtaining a college degree. After 4 long years of countless studying, tests, and even second guessing myself, I feel that I have accomplished something that a lot of people don't always accomplish.
What were some of your favorite moments at Clayton State?
While at Clayton State I, for one, enjoyed every moment that I performed. Every time I had a concert I was always at the venue before the dress rehearsal started because I was just that hyped to perform. I also enjoyed the different events and people that I met as well at the school.
How did AMP's College & Career Services support you during your time at AMP and while at Clayton State?
While at AMP the College & Career Services gave me lots of opportunities to speak to different colleges and get opportunities to receive scholarships from those colleges. I was able to meet up with a lot of directors who wanted me to attend there schools. While at Clayton they also gave a lot of scholarship and internship opportunities that I took a hold of.
Besides the violin, what did you learn while at AMP that helped you in the pursuit of your degree?
Something that I learned at AMP that helped me pursue my degree is responsibility. In college a lot of things that you do can come with consequences and I learned through AMP that taking responsibility for what I do can make those consequences in my favor or not in my favor.
What advice would you give to current AMP students about college life?
One piece of advice I would give a current AMP student about college life is to know the difference between when to have fun and when to be about business. A step into college is a new step into adulthood and can be a big eye opener but you have to do what you came to school for while also enjoying the new freedom of being a college student when the time is right.
What's next for you?
As of now I am still on tour with Orchestra Noir. I currently work with the Soundscapes School of Music as well as doing gigs around Atlanta. The goal at the end is to become a full time orchestra or band teacher with the school system while also gigging in and outside of Atlanta.