The Conservatory's Community Music and Dance Academy has the mission of bridging the national reputation and excellence of the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance with the local musical needs of the Kansas City community. The Academy currently offers private and group instruction to 600 area musicians and dancers; coordinates camps and festivals for the Kansas City area and provides professional development through workshops and in-service to area educators and therapists.

The instructors in the Community Music and Dance Academy are professional educators, therapists, musicians and dancers. Many have advanced degrees or are current graduate students or professors at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Academy faculty have trained with professional musicians within and outside the Conservatory and regularly perform as soloists or with ensembles locally, nationally and internationally. Some have even published and recorded their work. Most are active members of professional music organizations at the local, state and national levels.