[1] Amato studied under the renowned teacher and virtuoso, Ozan Marsh throughout her early musical training.
After receiving her BMA from the University of Arizona in 1983, Amato traveled to Europe to study with Louis Kentner, in London and with Gaby Casadesus, in Paris.
[2] She also received a scholarship to play for Guido Agosti's masterclass series in Siena, Italy with a Diploma d'Onore.
5 (Symphonia brevis) in New York in 2004 and, in April 2011, her recording of this work on the Altarus label was released.
[5] Amato has also been performing the works of Ethelbert Nevin, composer from her hometown of Edgeworth, Pennsylvania.