The concept and vision of AMDA was created by dynamic artists and educators at the forefront of their fields in Broadway, Shakespeare, Hollywood film, world-renowned dance, playwriting and academia. This group of distinguished and successful artists shared a unique philosophy: that the training of any performing artist – whether it be of an actor, a singer, or a dancer – benefits greatly by including core classes in voice, speech, movement, dance, and acting. Recognizing the value that "cross-training" would have to each individual performing artist, the AMDA curriculum was born. This was an original, non-traditional approach; in 1964, the year of AMDA's founding, no other performing arts school or program offered an immersive, multi-disciplinary style of AOS or Certificate study. Since AMDA's beginning, its signature model of training has been adopted as the gold standard of performing arts education by colleges and universities throughout the country.
Over the past 60 years, AMDA has continued to lead with creative and innovative programs for emerging artists. AMDA's BFA, AOS or Certificate Programs support, teach and guide artists focused in all areas of the performing arts. Today, AMDA remains at the cutting edge of performing arts higher education and is one of the premier performing arts institutions in the world.