Kenneth Amada began the study of piano at the age of three and played his first full-length recital at the age of five. Graduating from Rutgers University at age nineteen, he gave his New York debut recital that same year. He studied with Moriz (or "Maurycy") Rosenthal.

Kenneth Amada has made several hundred appearances throughout the world on radio, television, in recital and as guest soloist with symphony orchestras. His orchestra credits include The Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of both Eugene Ormandy and Arthur Fiedler, the Symphony of the Air with both Alfred Wallenstein and Milton Katims, the Detroit Symphony, the National Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the National Orchestra of Belgium, and the Warsaw Philharmonic.

He has made seven international concert tours. He has played in every major European country including the Soviet Union to the highest acclaim. He has been a prize winner in many international competitions including the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the Leventritt Competition. Kenneth Amada has also been the recipient of many other honors including the Harriet Cohen International Piano Award and also has been awarded touring grants by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Office of International Education for the purpose of presenting outstanding American performers to audiences internationally.

Kenneth Amada was appointed to the faculty of The University of Iowa School of Music in 1967 and was later its chairman of the Piano Department. He is now Professor Emeritus.