Dancing on Each Coasts: AMDA’s Twin Presence in NYC and L.A. Prepares College students for Broadway and Industrial Dance

Whether or not AMDA college students are attending college at its Los Angeles campus or its New York campus, they’re immersed in every metropolis’s performing arts business from day one. The Los Angeles campus, based mostly in Hollywood, sits straight throughout from the historic Capitol Information Constructing, whereas the New York Metropolis campus, situated on Manhattan’s Higher West Aspect, abuts Lincoln Heart. College students can select to separate their time between the 2 hubs. “On each campuses, we attempt to expose the dance college students to as a lot as we probably can,” says New York Dance Division chair Michele Hart-Haviland.

AMDA’s focus in every location is to arrange dancers for skilled careers. The entire dance school have labored professionally within the subject, and AMDA repeatedly brings in visitor choreographers. College students have efficiency alternatives, graduate with knowledgeable reel, and are inspired to expertise dance past their campuses, seeing exhibits and taking courses at studios all through their cities. 

It pays off. Hart-Haviland shares that AMDA alumni have gone on to affix modern and ballet firms, carry out on cruise ships, turn out to be NHL and NBA cheerleaders, and work as choreographers, filmmakers, well being and health trainers, and content material creators. However two widespread paths she sees are careers in musical theater and business dance. “In the event that they’re coming to New York, it’s extra seemingly that they wish to pursue musical theater and Broadway,” says Hart-Haviland. “In Los Angeles, there’s extra emphasis on business dance.” 

Right here’s how two current AMDA grads describe how their distinctive experiences on the Los Angeles and New York Metropolis campuses ready them for careers in business dance and musical theater, respectively. 

Samantha Perna

2024 AMDA L.A. campus graduate, BFA in Dance 

Discovering business dance: After I got here to L.A., I used to be centered primarily on jazz. AMDA supplied me a whole lot of versatility. I used to be capable of take hip hop, business jazz, and even heels, which is now one among my favourite types of dance. These courses actually allowed me to search out myself as an artist. I found a whole lot of qualities that assist me stand out in a room. Now there are such a lot of alternatives that I’m searching for within the business world. 

Life after AMDA: Bloc Company reached out to me, and I acquired signed proper after graduating. I’d like to do music movies or an upcoming tour and even movies. 

How AMDA ready her for a profession: I owe so much to AMDA for the dancer I’m as we speak. I realized to take dangers and simply be comfy and assured with being so daring. 

AMDA gives a whole lot of open courses and productions and showcases, which actually helped me domesticate experiences that I believe will assist me sooner or later. I had the consideration to work with a whole lot of skilled artists that they might usher in, working choreographers within the business. 

Dancing off-campus: It relied on the semester, however I took class at the least twice per week at Millennium Dance Advanced or West Coast Dance Theatre to get a bit of style of the skin world. 

Jake Trammel

2022 AMDA NYC campus graduate, Conservatory Certificates in Dance Theatre

Audition-ready: AMDA actually teaches you what it’s prefer to be in that audition room, to really feel comfy and make it your playground. AMDA prepares you to construct your guide and know all types of dance, constructing that nice basis to enter a name and never really feel so nervous. 

Favourite courses: We had totally different types of faucet, grounded types and Broadway soft-shoe. Dance historical past was fairly enjoyable, as was gymnastics. I acquired so many abilities that I take advantage of once I’m dancing.

Changing into a New Yorker: We had been inspired to see Broadway exhibits, and acquired free tickets from the college. It was so useful to get out and see what the enterprise is admittedly like. It made me respect AMDA, since you get to see the marvel of New York. 

On making it to Broadway: I used to be a swing for the Paper Mill Playhouse’s manufacturing of The Nice Gatsby, and now I’m making my Broadway debut in the identical present. Plus, AMDA L.A. alum Cedric Dodd is the affiliate choreographer. After I acquired to AMDA, I actually began to search out my love and fervour for this enterprise. To perform this now could be only a dream come true.