Education Focus: The Academy Of Music And Performing Arts (AMPA)

Answered by: Ana Mateo & Lauren Whateley - Marketing & Communications

What kind of courses do you offer? AMPA offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Music and Dance, including Contemporary, Jazz and Classical Music, Music Theatre, Dance Performance in all styles and Composition and Creative Music Technology.

Do you offer practical on-site learning or more of a theoretical base? AMPA's courses are based on performance-oriented industry-appropriate practical units underpinned by academic subjects. All of the performance-based subjects are taught in either the studio or stage environments. Principal and second study music lessons are taught on an individual basis.

What makes you different to other educational institutions? Our tight-knit community makes AMPA a personal and supportive place to learn and grow as an artist. We pride ourselves on individualised one-to-one learning, embracing all genres and skill sets. It's rare in an institution for every student to know one another by name and collaborate across styles and genres.

What kind of social activities do you offer? Surry Hills has a thriving performing arts culture so our music students jam together at AMPA and surrounding venues. Weekly, the dance students collaborate on projects in and outside of the studio. Regular jam nights are held throughout the year for all music and dance students combined.

Do you offer job opportunities, internships, or other ways to help students get ahead? Networking is a high priority for AMPA and our Events Manager regularly books gigs across Sydney. Units such as 'Songwriting', which is taught by international artist Kat Vinter, give students invaluable experience and access to professional contacts. A dance internship is offered in the penultimate trimester of the degree.

When and where is your next Info Day/Open Day? 5 Aug, 136 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, 10am - 3pm

Website link for more info: ampa.edu.au