AMANDIS STARR LOUISE HNARAKIS
Music Business Professional and Student
"At the intersection of music and entertainment, I use my passion to support and promote the arts and entertainment industries including advocating for creators' rights, mental health, and the legalization of marijuana.
While I earn my bachelor of science degree in Entertainment Business, I promote and support my arts and entertainment communities, including music.
BIO
Amandis Starr Louise Hnarakis is of Irish and Greek descent, with deep roots in the hills and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains and on the island of Crete, Greece. Born in Washington, DC, she is a third-generation Washingtonian and the first child of award-winning entrepreneurs.
Carrying on a family tradition, Amandis underwent harmonic ear training and was taught American roots music by an accomplished mandolin teacher when she was a child, and she passed the tradition down to her daughter.
When Amandis was in elementary school, she won a local recycling contest before there were local and state recycling programs. At that time, she was awarded and acknowledged by local leaders and government officials. Amandis was acknowledged as gifted and talented, won many academic awards, and advanced one grade. Thus, she graduated from high school at the age of 16 from the top public school system in the USA, Howard County, Maryland.
In 2001, Amandis earned a professional certificate in Essentials of Music Business and Artist Management from Omega Studios’ School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences.
Amandis has been active in her music communities for decades and has forged her own path. She helps support and promote mental health and wellness, creators' rights, artists, musicians, producers, engineers, disc jockeys, recording studios, venues, festivals, industry professionals, industry events, individual leaders, and organizations in her communities.
Performing grassroots marketing under her company name of A. Starr Group, Amandis was recognized and invited to join Linkin Park's street team by their marketing company Machine Shop Marketing.
Currently, she is earning her bachelor of science degree in Entertainment Business at Full Sail University with an expected graduation date of 2026.
Amandis is a GRAMMYU member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of The Recording Academy, a member of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Music Business Association, California Copyright Conference, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and The American Bar Association. Also, she is a member of Pre-Law Society at Full Sail University.
In 2021 Amandis was awarded The Maryland Senatorial Scholarship, The Maryland Delegate Scholarship, and the Course Director Award in her Psychology of Play course at Full Sail University. Most recently, in 2022 Amandis and her teammates won the Measure of Music Conference + Workshop Hackathon.
After graduation, Amandis plans to attend graduate school with a focus on the entertainment industries.
TESTIMONIALS
"She was respectful in her exchanges with me and her fellow classmates. She submitted high quality work, met deadlines, and pushed herself outside of her comfort zone. In Psychology of Play, students have the option to create a weekly plan to outline their priorities and goals. Amandis embodied Full Sail’s guiding principle “Learn and Grow, Always” by pushing herself to work on her craft and visually illustrate thoughts, ideas and concepts."
Elena Nolan
Course Director of Psychology of Play
Full Sail University
"Throughout my time knowing Amandis she was organized, meticulous in her work and always went above and beyond when communicating with her peers. One of my most favorite qualities of Amandis is that she is not afraid to ask questions. Throughout our course she not only asked questions about the course work, but also asked higher level questions during our lectures. This effort and interest demonstrated to me and her peers that she took her dream and education seriously."
Caitlin Delossantos
Creative Presentation Associate Course Director
Full Sail University
"Amandis is a passionate music industry professional, curious about many sectors and a champion for various causes. She was a valuable addition to our team and helped find new perspectives and ideas for our project."
Sabrina Pereira da Silva,
Colleague and Measure of Music Conference + Workshop, 2022, Teammate