AMDA High School Conservatory - A Complete Guide
If you are a high schooler passionate about pursuing an acting career or interested in theater in general, then this blog is for you! Participating in theater programs can be a great way to develop valuable skills and experiences that colleges look for in applicants. These skills include creativity, communication, teamwork, time management, and discipline.
Additionally, such experiences can give you a chance to delve into your interests and passions alongside talented peers and professional guidance. They can also help you build a strong portfolio of work to present to colleges.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore the AMDA High School Conservatory program and weigh its pros and cons to help you decide if this is a good fit for you!
What is the AMDA High School Conservatory?
The AMDA High School Conservatory is a pre-college program designed to introduce high school students to the performing arts in a conservatory setting. AMDA conducts both on-campus and online variants over the summer and offers a variety of disciplines to choose from including musical theater, acting, and dance. You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors and professionals and to develop your performance skills through workshops, classes, and rehearsals.
How is the AMDA High School Conservatory structured?
The Conservatory offers a different set of programs depending on whether you choose the on-campus or the online option. The AMDA offers summer conservatory and after-school conservatory program options. Here’s how it works:
1. Summer Conservatory: On-Campus Programs
All of AMDA’s on-campus programs are hosted at the campuses in New York and Los Angeles. Each program lasts for two weeks (14 consecutive days) and features at least 9 hours of direct instruction per day, along with some socializing time. There are three different session dates available for each course in 2025:
Session 1: June 29–July 12, 2025
Session 2: July 13–July 26, 2025
Session 3: July 27–August 9, 2025 (NY Only)
The programs available are:
Musical Theater: This program is designed to build your vocal performance skills in classic and contemporary musical theater. You will take classes in vocal performance, acting, and dance, and will have the opportunity to perform in a final presentation. You will get to work closely with experienced Broadway performers and directors, helping you build valuable connections and gain industry insights.
Acting for Stage & Screen: If you’re keen on acting, whether on the big screen or the stage, then this is the program of choice. You will explore various acting techniques, character development, and scene study, and learn acting techniques, on-camera performance, and audition preparation.
Dance Theatre: If you’re looking to develop your skills in dance styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theater, then this is the program you need to pick. You’ll experience a deep dive into dance technique and performance, with plenty of instruction in improv, choreography, and musicality.
Pop Star: Recording Artist: This program is designed to help you develop the skills necessary for a career in pop music. You will receive training in vocal performance, recording studio techniques, and auditioning. There’s also plenty of exposure to songwriting, performance skills, and the complete recording process.
2. Summer Conservatory: Online Programs
Similar to the on-campus programs, the online programs also last for two weeks each, and have the same number of course hours – the only difference is that everything is online. There are two session dates available in 2025:
Session 1: June 22–July 4, 2025
Session 2: July 6–July 18, 2025
The programs available are:
Acting: This program explores new texts, current playwrights, and on-camera acting. You will gain an insider's perspective on the film and television industries by learning from professional actors and directors.
Musical Theater: Similar to the on-campus program, this program offers exploration into the world of classic and contemporary musical theater. You will be developing everything from your vocal technique to acting and a complete musical theater repertoire.
3. After-School Conservatory: On-Campus Programs
These programs are hosted at the New York campus. Each program lasts for 10 weeks (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and features 5–8 hours of classes and 2–4 hours of social activities per week along with 1–3 hours of presentations during the entire term. There are two sessions available in 2025:
Winter session: January 12–March 21, 2025
Spring session: April 13–June 20, 2025
The programs available are:
Musical Theater: This program provides expansion of vocal performance skills and development of your audition book by allowing you to learn and practice AMDA’s tried and true techniques.
Acting for Stage & Screen: This program offers an exploration into new texts and current playwrights under the direction of AMDA’s faculty or working artists. You will gain an insider’s perspective on the film and television industries by working on-camera with some of the finest actors and directors in the business.
4. After-School Conservatory: Online Programs
These programs are offered online. Each program lasts for 6 weeks (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and features 5–8 hours of live classes and 2–3 hours of social activities per week along with 1 hour of presentations during the entire term. The dates for 2025 are yet to be announced.
The programs available are:
Musical Theatre: Similar to the on-campus program, this program provides expansion of vocal performance skills and development of your audition book by allowing you to learn and practice AMDA’s tried and true techniques.
Acting for Stage & Screen: Similar to the on-campus program, this program offers an exploration into new texts and current playwrights under the direction of AMDA’s faculty or working artists from both their NY & LA campuses. You will gain an insider’s perspective on the film and television industries by working on-camera with some of the finest actors and directors in the business.
Is it prestigious?
The AMDA High School Conservatory programs are all taught by experienced instructors and professionals in the performing arts industry. The in-person experience especially allows for plenty of exposure to a real theater environment. It does not seem to be a particularly selective program, though there is an interview stage part of the application process. Regardless, the potential learning on offer is significant enough to make it easy to recommend.
Who is eligible to apply?
The AMDA High School Conservatory programs are open to students in grades 8–12 and aged 14–19 at the time of enrollment.
If you’re applying to the online program, you must have reliable access to high-speed internet and a device to stream and record video for online classes.
Similarly, you will also need a space to rehearse or record class assignments if you’re applying online.
If you’re applying for the on-campus programs, you will need to be able to travel to the Los Angeles or NYC campus. AMDA does have housing options available.
How does the application process work?
The application process for the AMDA High School Conservatory program includes:
Completing and submitting the online application.
You will then receive a link to schedule your phone interview, the next step in the application.
If selected, you will also be invited to submit demonstration materials within two weeks of receiving your acceptance email to let you apply for partial, merit-based scholarships.
How much do the AMDA High School Conservatory programs cost?
The costs for the 2025 programs are as follows:
Summer Conservatory (On-campus): $6,134 with housing and $4,643 without housing.
Summer Conservatory (Online): $2,513
After-School Conservatory (On-campus): $3,410
After-School Conservatory (Online): $2,075
Pros and cons to consider
Pros:
It’s a great learning experience: You will get to learn from seasoned instructors and professionals in the performing arts industry, in an intensive and interactive experience.
It’s an opportunity to enhance your talent: The program lets you hone your performance skills in acting, singing, or dance. Unlike more academic programs, this program lets you develop your innate talent and become outstanding in that respect.
You will gain early exposure to performing arts: The program allows you to explore your interest in a career in the performing arts, giving you an up-close look at the real ins and outs of the work involved.
Cons:
It can be expensive: While there are partial merit-based scholarships available, the program is still not exactly cheap.
It is not very prestigious: The entry criteria do not seem too selective, and that makes having this program on your resume not specifically prestigious on its own.
It’s quite intensive: While not strictly a con, each course demands the full two weeks of time and energy investment and requires balancing your other responsibilities.
Limited duration: The pedagogy is intensive and rigorous but the courses are quite short, at only two weeks each.
Our review—Should you apply?
AMDA’s programs are a good way to gain rich exposure to the workings of the theater and filming industries while developing your innate talent for acting, singing, dance, or all three. While the courses are short, they’re quite intensive and allow you to interact with veterans of the industry. Though the courses are somewhat expensive, the availability and price of the online option provide an avenue to attain the experience at a more affordable rate. All in all, the Conservatory is worth attending if you’re serious about developing your performance abilities.
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Comments