Amanda Malek-Ahmadi
Amanda began dancing when she was 5 and teaching when she was 17. She grew up dancing in the Valley and attended the University of Arizona where she received her BA in Elementary Education and with a Minor in Dance. Amanda is also a graduate of the Dance Masters of America, 4 year, Teacher Training School, based in Buffalo, NY, certifying her to teach Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Tap. Amanda has had the privilege of teaching all ages, from preschools to the entire K-12 spectrum at public schools, along with the community college level. Her professional dance experience includes Corporate Events with PowerNow LLC, Special Events Dancer for the opening of Jungala in 2008 at Busch Gardens, Tampa. She was also a member of Center Dance Ensemble’s second dance company, CDE2, under the direction of Frances Cohen in which she danced the role of Villager annually in Snow Queen and had group and solo performances (Motherdance) in American Voices. Currently Amanda is a member of the Professional Contemporary Company, WNDC, and Wight Noise Dance Company. They perform annually at the Las Vegas Dance in the Desert Festival and around the Valley.
Amanda is so excited to join Diamond Dance Works in their 10th Season. She loves teaching all levels and styles. Amanda loves attending dance conventions and classes to continue learning all dance genres and new trends; then bringing what she has learned back to her students.
On October 13, 2020 Amanda’s love of dance and writing were combined with the release of her first picture book, 10 Ballet Dancers. Her book is Story Monsters Approved and received the IBPA Silver Benjamin Franklin Award, along with being recognized by Dance Teacher Magazine as a great dance training tool.