About Us

For thirty years Amanda Raquel has had the opportunity to work with some of the worlds leading independent and major recording artist. Whether working alongside performers from The Voice or your local artist, Amanda Raquel has seen and done it all, not only as a voice coach but a singer as well.

Amanda Raquel’s melodic voice and presence has, what superfan Lisa B. calls "the WOW factor"!! Her sound has been described as angelic, transforming and youthful since a child growing up on the Southside of Chicago, fusing her training and performance of  jazz, opera, classical, spirituals, pop and gospel along the way.

She began her professional career as a singer, songwriter and coach after the  financial crash of 2008.  Although she owned a downtown Chicago investment firm, she never really wanted to be in finance!  Then after 10 years of entrepreneurship in the production and financial industry, she decided to follow her true and natural calling.

“I was in the studio laying vocals and a producer offered to pay me to write a couple of songs. That was my ‘Aha’ moment. Until then, I never considered singing a viable “business” since it was “only” my passion", says Amanda.  “I believed you had to work hard at something you didn’t like, then if you’re lucky, retire and do the things you’ve been wanting to do all along (laugh). But in that moment it finally clicked- it was time to live my passion!” 

Since then, Amanda has traveled and performed in front of thousands, singing with artists, such as R&B and Broadway sensation Heather Headley, gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds and Multi-GMA Dove Award winner Natalie Grant.

In hindsight, it’s no surprise Amanda has found herself in music. “My father- singer and songwriter Danny Hunt, and his side of the family is very musical.  I have several aunts and uncles who both sing and play instruments and my great grandfather Marion Kay was one of the first African-American Tenors to perform with The Civic Opera… music is in my blood.”

Some of Amanda Raquel’s prominent vocal and musical influences are Whitney Houston, Ce Ce Winans, Lauryn Hill, John Mayer, The Beatles, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Eta James, Nat King Cole, Michael Jackson, James Taylor, and David Foster.  “Their music is rich, timeless, and full of purpose.”

Milestones include graduating Magna Cum Laude from Howard University, marrying the love of her life- Ashanti Pettaway, in July of 2009 and giving birth to two beautiful boys.

Despite a full life Amanda Raquel admits, “I am free and happy when I’m singing and even happier when I'm teaching others how to do the same."