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Study in NY + LA: Dance Theatre Certificate to Dance BFA

    Combine the NY Dance Theatre Certificate Program with the LA Degree Program to create a unique bi-coastal Degree track.

    • 4 Semesters on the New York Campus and 4 Semesters on the Los Angeles Campus
    • Accelerated Option Allows for Degree Completion in 2.5 years
    • Access to a Variety of Workshop and Performance Opportunities (NY/LA)
    • Access to AMDA’s Mainstage Production Opportunities (LA)
    • Culminates in Original Capstone Productions in New York City and Los Angeles
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Program Description +

The Dance Theatre Certificate to BFA Program begins at AMDA’s NY Campus where a strong foundation of ballet, jazz, and tap dance technique is developed to connect mind and body with each individual’s own creative and imaginative resources. Training is designed to expand the dancer’s repertoire with a palette of disciplines relevant to today’s theatrical productions. In addition to dance technique courses, this program provides focused study in singing, musical theatre, and acting. Experience an introductory level of General Education courses designed to complement AMDA's performance training. This portion of this program culminates in an original capstone performance experience.

Performance training in the final four semesters of the BFA in Dance expands to include contemporary, hip-hop, jazz-funk, heels, and world dance styles. By working with some of the industry’s most sought after choreographers, dancers blend enhanced levels of choreographic precision with insightful storytelling skills. Additionally, there are a myriad of production opportunities for which students may audition. General Education courses provide for an even broader range of topics, continuing to deepen an artist’s understanding of the world while refining the ability to reason and communicate. Special attention is paid to the use of digital media for performing artists, access to visiting industry professionals and a final showcase performance.

Note: By completing the NY Certificate Program, students earn 60 credits towards the 120 credits needed to fulfill the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Students on this track will seamlessly transition from the NY Campus into the remaining four semesters at AMDA’s LA Campus to complete a BFA Degree.

Program Learning Outcomes +

Students completing the Dance Theatre Certificate to BFA program should be able to:

    • Create compelling performance arcs demonstrating physical and emotional specificity.
    • Demonstrate technical proficiency across a broad range of movement styles and disciplines.
    • Memorize and reproduce extended sequences of movement with respect to space, time, motion and energy.
    • Develop and apply safe physical practices and holistic self-care.
    • Apply critical and interpretive analysis related to performance and choreography.
    • Demonstrate ability to positively and effectively apply adjustments as directed.
    • Apply standard entertainment industry business practices regarding preparation, communication and professionalism.
    • Engage in a collaborative production process

Curriculum +

  1. Summary of Required Courses

    Course Category KeyCredits
    NY Dance Theatre Certificate (1800+ hours)60.0
    LA Dance Theatre Foundation30.0
    LA General Education30.0
    Total Credits Prescribed120.0

  2. Sample Certificate Curriculum

    Year One Sample Curriculum

    clock hours/course ↓
    clock hours/week ↓

    First Term

    DT1200 Acting I: Foundations
    6.0 90.0
    DT1400 Voice Production and Speech I
    2.0 30.0
    DT1500 Dance I: Theatre Dance
    2.0 30.0
    DT1510 Dance I: Tap
    4.0 60.0
    DT1520 Dance I: Jazz
    2.0 30.0
    DT1541 CORE: Modern Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT1542 CORE: Modern Improvisation & Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT1543 CORE: Ballet Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT1544 CORE: Pas de Deux
    2.5 37.5
    DT1546 CORE: Women’s Ballet
    2.5 37.5
    DT1547 CORE: Men’s Ballet
    2.5 37.5
    DT1550 Dance History & Application I
    2.5 37.5
    DT1690 Vocal Performance: Beginning Technique
    2.0 30.0
    Total Clock Hours465.0
    clock hours/course ↓
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    Second Term

    DT2300 Musical Theatre I: Techniques
    4.0 60.0
    DT2200 Acting II: Scene Study
    3.0 45.0
    DT2500 Dance II: Theatre Dance
    2.0 30.0
    DT2510 Dance II: Tap
    2.0 30.0
    DT2520 Dance II: Jazz
    2.0 30.0
    DT2530 Theatrical Gymnastics I
    2.0 30.0
    DT2541 CORE: Modern Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT2542 CORE: Modern Improvisation & Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT2543 CORE: Ballet Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT2544 CORE: Pas de Deux
    2.5 37.5
    DT2545 CORE: Variations
    2.5 37.5
    DT2546 CORE: Women’s Ballet
    2.5 37.5
    DT2547 CORE: Men’s Ballet
    2.5 37.5
    DT2550 Dance History and Application II
    2.5 37.5
    DT2600 Individual Voice I*
    0.5 12.5
    Total Clock Hours462.5

    Year Two Sample Curriculum

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    Third Term

    DT3300 Musical Theatre II: Performance Styles
    6.5 97.5
    DT3500 Dance III: Theatre Dance
    2.0 30.0
    DT3510 Dance III: Tap
    2.0 30.0
    DT3520 Dance III: Jazz
    2.0 30.0
    2.0 30.0
    DT3530 Theatrical Gymnastics II
    DT3400 Voice Production and Speech II
    DT3541 CORE: Modern Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT3542 CORE: Modern Improvisation & Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT3543 CORE: Ballet Technique
    2.5 37.5
    DT3544 CORE: Pas de Deux
    2.5 37.5
    DT3545 CORE: Variations
    DT3546 CORE: Women’s Ballet
    2.5 37.5
    DT3547 CORE: Men’s Ballet
    DT3550 Dance History and Application III
    2.5 37.5
    DT3600 Individual Voice II*
    0.5 12.5
    Total Clock Hours455.0
    clock hours/course ↓
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    Fourth Term

    DT4100 Dance Theatre Showcase**
    27.5 hrs / 5 weeks 145.0
    DT4200 Student Choreography Workshop**
    6 hrs / 6 weeks 43.5
    DT4201 Acting III: Skill and Technique
    2hrs / 5 weeks 10.0
    DT4262 Cold Readings
    2 hrs / 4 weeks 8.0
    DT4266 Monolouges for Auditions***
    4 hrs / 4 weeks 19.0
    DT4310 Musical Theatre Preparation for Auditions***
    4 hrs / 9 weeks 39.0
    DT4320 Music Literacy
    2 hrs / 9 weeks 18.0
    DT4400 Intermediate Voice Production and Speech
    2 hrs / 8 weeks 16.0
    DT4510 Dance IV: Tap***
    2 hrs / 8 weeks 16.0
    DT4541 CORE: Modern Technique
    2 hrs / 10 weeks 20.0
    DT4542 CORE: Modern Improvisation & Technique
    2hrs / 10 weeks 20.0
    DT4543 CORE: Ballet Technique
    2 hrs / 10 weeks 20.0
    DT4544 Dance IV: Combinations****
    2 hrs / 4 weeks 11.0
    DT4545 CORE: Variations
    2 hrs / 10 weeks 20.0
    DT4548 CORE: Ballet Leaps and Turns
    2 hrs / 10 weeks 20.0
    DT4600 Individual Voice III*
    0.5 12.5
    DT4700 Career Preperation
    5 hrs / 2 weeks 10.0
    DT4710 Audition Preperation Seminar
    2 hrs / 1 week 2.0
    Total Clock Hours464.0

    *Individual Voice classes are shown as regular weekly hours. Calculations include one Saturday Master Class equaling 4 additional hours plus 1 hour voice demonstration.
    **Showcase/Workshop hours per week are shown as regular hours. Calculations include Prod. Week and Saturday Tech. Rehearsals equaling 7.5 additional hours.
    ***Class hours shown per week are shown as regular hours. Calculations include Panel Week and/or Final Demonstrations that add additional hours.


  3. Sample Additive Curriculum for Certificate to BFA

    Fifth Semester Sample Curriculum

    DC_11_ Core Techniques* (choose 1 of 4) 1.0
    DNO301 Dance Theatre Company V 2.0
    DN304 Dance Theatre: Kinetic Storytelling 2.0
    AC318 Career Preparation 1.0
    AC226 Wardrobe, Make-Up and Hair 1.0
    DN_11_ Dance Discipline (Ballet or Jazz) 1.0
    DN_11_ Dance Specialty (Latin Jazz or Haitian Dance) 1.0
    General Education Selection 1 3.0
    General Education Selection 2 3.0
    Total Credits 15.0

    Sixth Semester Sample Curriculum

    DC_11_ Core Techniques* (choose 2 of 4) 2.0
    DNO302 Dance Theatre Company VI 2.0
    DN342 Dance Theatre: Kinetic Storytelling for the Camera I 2.0
    DN_11_ Dance Discipline (Ballet or Jazz) 1.0
    DN_11_ Dance Specialty (Tap or Bollywood) 1.0
    Select one of the following elective courses: 1.0
    PI233-251 Finding Your Voice: Rotational Offering
    General Education Selection 1 3.0
    General Education Selection 2 3.0
    Total Credits 15.0
    Total Third Year Program Credits 30.0

    Seventh Semester Sample Curriculum

    D__11_ Core Techniques* (choose 2 of 4) 2.0
    DNB111-113 Ballet 1.0
    DNJ111-113 Jazz 1.0
    DNO401 Dance Theatre Company VII 2.0
    PI244 Original Content Creation 1.5
    DN_11_ Dance Specialty (Ballroom or Latin Fusion) 1.0
    DN_11_ Dance Specialty (Song and Dance or Street Jazz/Jazz Funk) 1.0
    Select one of the following elective courses: 1.5
    AC122 Improvisation I: Foundations
    SC100 Stage Combat I: Unarmed
    Select one of the following elective courses: 1.0
    AC422 Art of the Monologue
    PI233-251 Finding Your Voice: Rotational Offering
    General Education Selection 3.0
    Total Credits 15.5

    Eighth Semester Sample Curriculum

    DCC111-113 Core Techniques: Contemporary Foundations* 1.0
    DCM111-113 Core Techniques: Modern Foundations* 1.0
    DCS111-113 Core Techniques: Broadway Styles/Theatre Dance* 1.0
    DCZ111-113 Core Techniques: Commercial Jazz* 1.0
    DN_11_ Dance Discipline (Ballet or Jazz) 1.0
    DN303 Dance Theatre: Audition Techniques 1.0
    DN410 Dance Theatre: Reels 1.5
    DN430 Dance Theatre Production Showcase 4.0
    DN420 Industry and Networking 1.5
    DN_11_ Dance Specialty (Heels or Hip-Hop) 1.0
    DN_11_ Dance Specialty (Tap or Contemporary Partnering) 1.0
    Total Credits 15.0
    Total Fourth Year Program Credits 30.5
    Total Program Credits121.0 – 121.5

    Students must audition and successfully perform in at least 1 Production (includes: Showcase, BFA Play, BFA Musical, Dance Theatre Concert and BlackBox).
    *Courses designated with an asterisk are offered on a rotating basis.

Admission Requirements +

Please note that applying to AMDA is a multi-step process. Be sure to follow ALL 6 steps below to ensure the submission of a successful application.

  1. Submit Your Application +

    To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and/or in the final two years of high school/secondary education*.

    AMDA also accepts applications from CommonApp. If you have already applied through one of our partners, you do not need to apply again through our website.

    * If you are not yet 16, we would encourage you to consider attending the AMDA High School Conservatory.

  2. Complete Your AMDA Audition +

    Admission and scholarship consideration to AMDA require an audition. AMDA offers a robust calendar of auditions including regional auditions, campus auditions, live-online auditions and video submissions. Scheduling your audition will prompt a phone call with one of our enrollment specialists to help you prepare for a successful audition.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: To better prepare for your AMDA audition, we strongly encourage ALL applicants to review the Audition Instructions page prior to scheduling an audition or submitting a video submission.
  3. Phone interview with Admissions +

    This interview is an opportunity for us to get to know you, your educational background, and your interest in attending AMDA. We will be calling you, but if you would like to schedule an appointment for this interview, please email admissionsteam@amda.edu with the best day, time, and phone number to reach you.

  4. SUBMIT YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY +

    Towards the bottom of the application, space is provided for you to write a personal essay (500 words minimum) on the following topic: "Describe a challenging experience in your life and what you learned from it." Remember, this is an important part of your application, so answer thoughtfully!

    If you submitted your application but still need to submit your essay, click the button below.

  5. Submit One Letter of Recommendation +

    Please request and submit one letter of recommendation from teachers, school leaders, guidance counselors, coaches, or anyone familiar with your background and potential. Your recommendation letter must be written in English and signed and dated. To help with this process, please feel free to use AMDA's recommendation form by clicking the link below. Recommendation letters/forms may be submitted via email to docs@amda.edu or by mailing to the address on the form.

  6. Submit Your Academic Records (Transcripts) +

    Send an official transcript from your high school and (if applicable) college. Official transcripts from every educational institution that you listed in your application must be forwarded to AMDA. Please select one of the following options for submitting your official transcripts:
    1. If your high school or college uses the free service Parchment, please click below.

    2. If your high school or college does not use Parchment, please send the transcript request form to your guidance counselor/transcript office and request that they send your transcript(s) to AMDA using the address on the form.


    Important Note: The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for AMDA's programs is 2.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent in other grading systems.

women doing ballet
A dance instructor, standing, leads a ballet room full of students practiced front splits
Five dancers with arms interlinked dance in unison
A dancer in a grassy field in central park does a split leap
A solo dancer in a mirrored studio strikes a pointing pose
Three dancers on link arms with the centermost dancer doing the standing vertical splits
Five dancers on stage wearing matching red garb perform an interpretive dance