Our instructors are industry experts with extensive experience in arts and entertainment, ensuring you learn from the very best to become the future best.

What Sets Us Apart

Get industry-ready with elite training, professional kits, and real-world experience.

Learn a diverse range of makeup techniques—from clean beauty and bridal to HD and body painting—so you stand out as a skilled professional. Our pro kit features top brands like RCMA, Kryolan, and Temptu. Plus, our Minding Your Businesscourse equips you to succeed as a self-employed artist.

How We Stand Out

How We Help

From your first class to your first job—we’re with you every step of the way.

Art Foundations

Build strong fundamentals in drawing, color theory, and design to support your artistry.

Skills Tracking

We assess your progress and give regular feedback to keep you on track for job readiness.

Career Planning

Work with our team to design a roadmap toward a career in makeup artistry, film, or theater.

Portfolio Building

Graduate with a professional portfolio that showcases your skills and helps you land clients or jobs.

Technical Skills

From makeup artistry and SFX to hair and costume design, you’ll gain the real-world technical skills needed to launch your career with confidence.

Mentorship

You’ll be paired with an experienced instructor who offers one-on-one guidance, feedback, and support from day one to graduation.

Our Team

Meet Our Team

Our instructors bring real-world industry experience and a passion for teaching. AMUA programs are built to be practical, hands-on, and career-focused. We measure our success by our graduates’ success—and most land paid work before they even finish their program.

99%

Happy Students

Meet Our Team

Our instructors not only hold state approval but are also industry experts in the fields of makeup, special makeup effects, wig & hair, and costume design.

Ashley Lords

School Owner

Once a makeup artist, now the mother of AMUA

Ben Rittenhouse

Special Effects Department Head

25+ years experience in special effects makeup for film & television

TBD

Hair & Wig Department Head

Open Position

AMUA Makeup Artistry instructor Claire Mints head shot.

Claire Mints

Makeup Department

Makeup artist with 6+ years experience in film and special events.

Lori Gann-Smith

School Director & Costume Department Head

MFA with 25+ years experience in fashion and costume design for theater & film

amua instructor krystle feher head shot

Krystle Feher

Makeup Department

Professional makeup artist with over 15 years of experience in film, television, video, and commercial work. Proud member of IATSE Local 798.

Capri Biangardi

3D Printing & SFX Technology

Performance Makeup Artist Program alumna and Intro to 3D printing instructor

Stefanie Bone

History of Makeup & Costume Associate Instructor

Makeup for Beauty & Fashion alumna and history buff

Drawing Instructor

Drawing Instructor

MFA with 20+ years experience as a professional artist

Consumer Information

Academy of Make Up Arts is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, a Division of Postsecondary Education. This authorization is renewed annually based on evaluations of education quality, ethical business practices, and financial responsibility. For detailed job placement and graduation information, visit the official Tennessee Higher Education Commission website.