At the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s College of the Performing Arts, we encourage you to find your distinct artistic voice. We embrace a community of diverse artists of various identities and expressions.
Our dance degrees and dancing certificates provide training in a wide range of styles, preparing you to pursue multiple career opportunities. In addition to dance technique, you will also develop your innate talent through instruction in acting, musical theater performance, and vocal technique. You will be prepared to secure work immediately after graduation through courses that help you navigate the audition and rehearsal process.
Start your career in dance for TV, film, live music tours, entertainment venues, and stage productions. AMDA is the school for you if you want to earn a dance degree or certificate and establish connections to the dance community while performing in Los Angeles or New York.
"The Dance Programs at AMDA truly prepare students for the demands of today's dance industries. From the wide variety of classes offered to the roster of current working professionals teaching those classes, AMDA gives students the knowledge they need to both create and be successful at a career they love. There is a misconception that only a select few "make it" in the dance industry and I truly believe there is a place for everyone. Let AMDA teach you how to find your place." -Kristin Deiss, Dance Division Co-Chair, AMDA Los Angeles
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At AMDA, you will begin your career as a young professional from day one. You will be introduced to a wide network of working artists, from faculty to alumni and guest speakers.
Whether you want to perform in commercial, theatrical, or concert dance, we provide unique opportunities to cultivate yourself as a performer, content creator, choreographer, educator, and producer. Perform on stage and on set throughout your time at AMDA as you build relationships with choreographers and dance industry reps in LA and NYC.
Our dance degrees and dance certificate programs also offer opportunities to:
You choose between concentrations in contemporary, theatrical, or commercial dance programs, then build on your specialty by developing a solid foundation across diverse styles and genres. Courses rotate each semester to allow you to choose training across the widest range of styles and genres, including:
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Caring and dedicated faculty serve as mentors and are committed to ensuring you succeed. You will also be supported mentally and physically by trainers, nurses, and mental health counselors. Our student services staff and student leaders create robust programs and activities to advance your social, emotional, and personal growth.
Whether you choose our contemporary, theatrical, or commercial dance program, you will join a vibrant student community of artists and develop connections that will serve you throughout your career. Join a community of connected dance artists ready to support you on your journey.
Completing your dance degree in Los Angeles or dance certificate program in New York (or studying on both campuses) puts you at the center of the entertainment industries in the United States.
In LA, you will dance in front of industry reps from top dance agencies as part of your final semester. We will also help you develop strong live audition and self-tape audition skills to handle all types of auditions you may encounter post-graduation.
On the New York campus, you will often receive notices for complimentary tickets to theatrical events in the city, and you may have the opportunity to perform at amazing venues like The Tank. Students in New York also perform for industry decision-makers during their final semester.
Four-Year
Our two Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance degrees combine rigorous performance study with career development courses to prepare you for a dance career. The Los Angeles–based BFA program culminates in a capstone production of solo and ensemble works for stage and screen:
Two-Year
Our AOS dance degree is a two-year program that prepares you for a career in dance for stage, film, and television. Offered on our Los Angeles campus, you will have a variety of workshop and performance opportunities that culminate in an original showcase production. You can complete this interdisciplinary program in as little as 1.5 years.
Three-Year
Our New York-based performing arts certificate programs provide professional conservatory training that prepares you to graduate career- and industry-ready. The curriculum in each 3-year advanced certificate program combines performance-based academic studies with immersion in craft, technique, and business essentials. Graduates from this program can seamlessly continue to AMDA Los Angeles or AMDA Online to complete their BFA degree or stay in NYC and continue to the Fordham Pathway and complete their BA Degree in as little as 2-3 semesters.
Two-Year
Our New York–based, four-semester professional dancing certificate program gives you many opportunities to perform in the theatre capital of the United States. Each semester, you will audition to perform at the culminating dance showcase event. Dance theatre students often participate in numerous on-campus events open to the public as well.
You finish the dance certificate program with several final performance pieces, including:
A choreography showcase in which you choreograph small group pieces for your peers
A graduation showcase
A panel night event where a guest choreographer guides you in a mock audition for a panel of industry professionals
We also offer pathways from our NYC dance certificate programs to our BFA dance degree in LA, which gives you the unique opportunity to study in both of the largest entertainment hubs in the United States.
AMDA College of the Performing Arts is a regionally accredited institution, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)—one of the most respected accrediting bodies in U.S. higher education. Regional accreditation by WASC affirms that AMDA meets rigorous standards for academic quality, institutional integrity, student outcomes, and continuous improvement. This accreditation ensures that AMDA’s degree programs are recognized nationwide, credits are transferable where applicable, and students receive an education held to the highest standards of excellence in higher education.