Student Blog: Start of the AMDA Summer!

The first day of school! When it comes to going back to school I have always been the biggest nerd. From the new books, new clothes, new people, different classes-it just gets a bit more exciting when you are starting your new semester of musical theater school! I attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan, and when I say this is a hard school to attend, hard is an understatement. Two weeks ago I finished my second semester at AMDA, and tomorrow we start our summer semester. I am taking a part-time semester which means I got to pick which classes I get to do, which is not really the case at AMDA. 

When I started my second semester at AMDA in February I had taken a year off from the school and knew I was going to have to take some first semester classes, so, doing what is best for me I chose to take this summer to catch up on those classes. I am most excited for my ballet classes. I am going to be taking two ballet classes a week in order to catch up for my fall semester. We get to learn from working professionals and experience what a real life show rehearsal may be like. In this class we get to learn the fundamentals of ballet, and standard skills that one should know to be a triple threat. 

The second class I am taking is my Musical Theatre Techniques class which is taught by professional directors, musical directors, or even working professionals. In this class what you are taught is different each semester. In the first semester you are taught how to act a song-singing post 1960’s music. Second semester is pre 1960’s music and focusing more on the beauty of the singing itself and adding in the more vaudevillian style. When you get to third semester you get to focus more on duets and more- this is to learn how to work with others more. Fourth semester at AMDA is the fun one because you get to work on showcase pieces, and you get to choose what to do! I am going to be in the second semester class this term and I am very excited to get to work on some earlier shows such as Oklahoma, Carousel, or anything Rodgers and Hammerstein. I also will be doing an individual voice class to work on my classical training to keep up with vocal health. These are hour-long lessons once a week with a specific vocal teacher (shout out to Elizabeth, you’re the best!)

All in all I have about 12-14 hours of classes a week along with my part-time job working for my school, and if you think that is a lot, I am taking less than half of the required classes for a regular semester, so I am very excited to have a bit of breathing time. I am very much looking forward to this new semester and getting to experience New York City this summer.