Two years ago, Amanda moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Tampa, Florida where she was a student at the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. Looking for an avenue where she could continue her love of singing, acting, dancing, modeling, and public speaking she started competing in pageants. She currently holds the title of Miss Teenager United States 2005/6, Miss Southwest Florida American Coed Teen and Miss Polk County Outstanding Teen. She feels blessed not only to hold her current titles, but for all the titles she has won during this past two years. She contributes much of her success to being a "pageant girl." She says, "I have gained valuable experience participating in pageants. I take being a role model very seriously and I have been fortunate to help make a difference in the lives of others by promoting my platforms, Spread Your Wings, Making Reading a Reality and Queen For a Day."
Amanda is a Junior and attends a performing arts school where she is involved in Opera, Choir, Music Theory and other classes that enhance her talents. She is the President of the Key Club, a member of the Christian Athletics Association, Bible Study Club, and Prom Committee. She is a member of the National Honor Society and would like to have a career as a professional singer, actress and TV hostess.
Amanda started singing at the age of five and is now an accomplished singer. She trains with Joseph and Violette Meyers, Master Opera Coaches. She also studies with Marianne Prinkley from Kidz Incorporated, on her Broadway techniques. She studied voice at Texas Christian University for seven years in their Music Preparatory Program and has had other wonderful teachers. She was a member of the Professional Choir, "The Singing Girls of Texas." In 2005, she won the Silver Medal for Opera at the World Championships of Performing Arts in California and has won many other singing awards and competitions.
In November of 2005, Amanda started working with Music Producer Roy "Royalty" Hamilton. She has released her new CD "Notice Me," which is contemporary pop. She's very excited to be able to sell her CD, which part of the proceeds will go toward her "Spread Your Wings" program and other community fundraisers. Although, Amanda loves singing Opera, she finds other genres fun too. The experience that Amanda has received from recording is endless. She says, "I have so much fun recording and I feel it's just a part of me. I love being in the studio and writing new songs, as it is really great to see how they turn out in the end. It's hard work, but it is so thrilling to hear yourself after your have finished a song. My creative juices are always flowing when I am in the studio. Working with Mr. Hamilton and his staff is great. They are always so supportive of me, especially when I ask for their help on songs that will uplift and benefit others. I love seeing them get as excited as I am about a project." One of the project's that Amanda is mentioning is the "HOME" song. She dedicated this song to the families who were affected by the hurricanes and to the military who are away from their homes serving our country. She was invited to sing at the Lundi Mardi Gras Festival and received the Key to the City of Kenner for her efforts. This song is featured on her new CD, along with the song "Everything Out There" where Mr. Hamilton does a rap portion about his growing up and how others can make positive decisions in their own lives.
Amanda has been involved in dancing since the age of two. One of her fondest memories is when she took ballet at the Fort Worth School of Ballet. She currently takes dance lessons at Brucie Klay's in Tampa and private lessons with a performance coach. She has taken jazz, tap, ballet, classical, hip hop and street dancing. She was a member of the Blaze Dance Team at Tampa Preparatory School before moving to Gibbs High. She also loves cheerleading and one of her most exciting moments was winning the Cheer leading Competition at the Florida State Coed Pageant this year.
As an Actress, Amanda has many accomplishments. She started acting lessons at the age of five and has performed in many plays such as, Godspell, Annie Get Your Gun, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray and Antigone, as Antigone. She attended Stagedoor Manor in New York, and performed in Shakespeare's Review, where she won the Best Actress Award. She attended Camp Broadway's Show By Show Camp for the play "Wicked" and trained with the original cast. She was also selected and attended Camp Broadway's Master Class Summer Program. As for acting for television, she has attended The New York Film Academy, The School of Cinema and Performing Arts in Los Angeles and The Television Institute School in Los Angeles. Amanda has won many awards in acting and loves expressing herself on stage and in front of the camera.
After moving to Tampa, Amanda joined John Robert Powers in Tampa and has loved it. She takes lessons in acting, singing, and modeling She hopes to start a pageant training workshop this coming year with JRP. It will give girls the opportunity to work on the skills Amanda has developed herself. Amanda says, "It's not always about just appearance, you have to have confidence, poise, and courage, because it is not easy getting in front of a group of people you don't know and present yourself. These skills learned early on can help in all aspects of life. Just think of giving a presentation in front of your class and being nervous, this is a wonderful way to overcome minor obstacles that kids face today.
Amanda believes that your must always give back the things in life that your learn and to show others that if you believe in yourself and your dreams that your can accomplish many things. Her favorite quote is, if you believe in yourself, listen to your heart, live your life to the fullest and be yourself, you can accomplish anything.
