According to her parents, Amanda started dancing before she could walk—grooving to music with kicks and waves long before her first steps. She officially began ballet, tap, and jazz at age six and continued her training through high school, adding hip-hop and eventually discovering her true passion at 16: Ballroom and Latin dance. Introduced to the style through a friend at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Amanda began competing as an amateur and quickly rose through the ranks to become a full-time professional after earning her B.S. in Exercise Science and Anthropology from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013.
Amanda went on to earn her M.S. in Strategic Human Resource Management from Sacred Heart University and is certified with honors as a Fred Astaire Ballroom & Latin Instructor, passing a rigorous exam administered by international adjudicators. She also holds certifications as a Personal Trainer (ASFA) and Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA), blending movement, fitness, and dance into everything she teaches.
From Instructor to Fitness Manager to Studio Director, Amanda brings both passion and leadership to every role. She’s a six-time Smooth and seven-time Rhythm Finalist, Top Teacher, and Top Instructor—though she’s most proud of her students’ success across regional and national competitions.
Now, as Co-Owner of Fred Astaire Shelton with her business partner Tsvetomir, Amanda is all about fun, growth, and inspiration. Her students leave every lesson feeling challenged, empowered, and energized—because with Amanda, dancing is always a joy.
