Biography

Avo grew up in Potomac, Maryland under her birth name, Amber Shaheen Nelson. She is the daughter of Dr. Fizzeh Shirazee Nelson and Noel R. Nelson. Avo is one of 6 siblings, whole, half and step (Erik Desiderio, composer), and the mother of Dietrich Sweeney. Avo received her BA from University of MD, College Park and her MA from University of Baltimore. She began matriculating at Academy of Art University in 2018 for her second MA degree in Interior Architecture and Design.

Avo's first time being on-camera was at the age of four for the DC 20 channel on the children's show, "WOW!" Avo went on to become a MD Thespian in her high-school years, playing, lead, supporting, solo, chorus and dance roles as well as helping out backstage, building sets.

She's appeared in television commercials for the Baltimore Orioles as well as in several reenactments for, "America's Most Wanted." Avo played, "Maxi," in the film, "2 Minute Heist," which was written and directed by both Kris Arnold and Dan Deluca. Avo and Deluca are also in a mutual episode of HBO's, "The Wire." Deluca plays, "Dr. Parenti," while Nelson plays, "Miss Thiessen," a teacher, in season 4 in the episode titled, "Know Your Place." Avo has also enjoyed being frightened and frightening her audience, while working as one of the lead actors in Discovery Channel's, "A Haunting," episode, "Where Demons Dwell."

"Connections," previously titled, "Short Story," is the title of a SAG independent web series, shot in Maryland and Virginia in 2007 and directed by Russell Nohelty. Avo plays one of the leads, a college-aged older sister who is living at home with the parents.

One may have seen a glimpse of Avo doing a touchdown gymnastics dance in purple and black striped tights in a Maryland Lottery commercial. The commercial aired on occasion during the Ravens football games at the M&T Bank Stadium during the 2007-2008 football season when the Ravens score a touchdown.

In 2009 Avo played the leading role of Sergeant First Class, Stephanie Cruz, a Casualty Assistance Officer for a dramatic SAG film made for training the US Army. She was awarded a medal of Excellence while performing on the film set at Fort Myer by the US ARMY.

After taking a hiatus for education, and to start writing, a feature, titled, "Mentone," Avo joyfully returned to acting and was cast in "The Farm" (2021), directed by Tom Logan and written by Michael Angelo Bernacchi.

In 2025, Avo Shirazee (AKA Amber Nelson) co-wrote a TV Pilot titled, "Amberica," with writer/director/producer, Mokotsi Rukundo, and won the Grand Prize for the Table Read My Screenplay-Cannes 2026 competition by the International Screenwriters' Association, Best Screenplay in the French Riviera Film Festival 2026, Best TV Series Pilot in The World Film Festival in Cannes 2025 as well as Best TV-Pilot in the Paris International Short Festival 2025 and Best Teleplay in the Religion and Faith International Film Festival 2025.
- IMDb mini biography by: Amber Nelson

Amber set a man (Bill Leaman) on fire as a stunt rigger in an episode of America's Most Wanted.