A graduate of William Paterson University, Amanda studied with Ted Dunbar, Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid and Harold Mabern. She moved to New York in 1995 and has played in a variety of projects, from jazz chamber groups and big bands to regular appearances with her own groups at such venues as Birdland, Joe’s Pub, and Sweet Rhythm.

Amanda’s current projects include her own quartet, Amanda Monaco 4, with tenor saxophonist Jason Gillenwater, bassist and drummer Jeff Davis. Following their 2003 self-titled release (which achieved critical acclaim both in the United States and Europe), the quartet’s new CD will be released in April 2007 on Innova Recordings. They continue to tour nationally and locally, playing everywhere from nightclubs to the JVC Jazz Festival.

Amanda co-leads the swinging quintet “Playdate” with old friends Noah Baerman (piano) and Wayne Escoffery (tenor saxophone) and new friends Henry Lugo (bass) and Vinnie Sperrazza. They can be seen performing around New York City and their debut recording is scheduled for Fall 2007.

Amanda is also a resident musician at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in New York City, and appears on both of their recordings, "Halailah Hazeh: The music of Pesach" and "Teki Yah: The High Holy Days".

An educator since 1990, Amanda has served on the faculty of New School University, and presently teaches at the National Guitar Workshop and on the innovative web site WorkshopLive. Her book, Jazz Guitar for the Absolute Beginner (Alfred Publishing), is available worldwide. Currently a student as well as a teacher, Amanda is in her second semester of graduate courses in theory and composition at The City College of New York.

Amanda plays a Brian Moore iGuitar and D'Addario Strings.