ABOUT US

Movement to music for children and adults is a great stimulus for the imagination and our classes, especially for the young dances, are designed with this in mind. Music and dance also help to develop physical coordination and posture.

We believe that learning to dance should be fun. Capitol's students are encouraged to have fun while enjoying their progress. Our students often make friends for life!

Ballet

Here at Capitol Dance we teach the Cecchetti method of Ballet devised by the Italian Ballet master Enrico Cecchetti. Classes range from ages 3+ to Adult.

We have recently introduced a new class called our Pre-School Creative Movement class for ages 3+ before students progress onto our Minis Classes.

Many of our classes are syllabus based but we also teach free classes and repertoire as well to give our students the opportunity to learn various elements of Ballet.

Once students are ready they progress onto our specifically designed pointe programme. We are fortunate enough to be one of the few dance schools in Cornwall who often practice classes with a pianist.

Tap

Tap classes start from age 4+ and are a great form of rhythmic, recreational dance. Following the ISTD syllabus students learn the fundamentals of tap in a fun and friendly environment.

Modern / Jazz

Teaching the ISTD syllabus students can learn Modern and Jazz from age 4+. Exams are not compulsory but students are offered the opportunity to take Graded exams if they wish to. We also teach free classes to work on flexibility and technique and frequently learn routines.

Lyrical / Contemporary

Contemporary is a modern form of dance that combines elements from other popular styles like jazz and ballet. Contemporary can be abstract, lyrical, or strong and powerful and can be danced to any form of music or sound. Contemporary gives dancers a chance to be creative and express themselves through movement. Many different Contemporary techniques have been developed that are used as a basis for class similar to the role of a ballet barre in a classical ballet class, here are some examples:

Graham technique - focuses on contraction and release of the body, shifts in weight and spirals.

Cunningham technique - focuses on co-ordination of torso and legwork and rhythmic accuracy.

Release technique - focuses on easing tension in the joints and efficient use of breath to create fluid movements.

Flying low - focuses on the dancer's relationship with the floor and how they move in and out of the ground.

At Capitol School of Dance, our Contemporary classes are varied to ensure our students gain a wide knowledge of the style. We incorporate exercises from many different branches of Contemporary to improve technique, strength and flexibility, we promote creativity and confidence through choreography and improvisation tasks, and teach routines which are either teacher choreographed or phrases from repertoire performed by companies.

Spanish

Studying a combination of Flamenco, Regional and Classical Spanish our students can take part in Spanish classes in a variety of locations.

Acro Dance

Brand New for September 2021! We are very excited to have introduced Acro Dance classes to our timetable at all our venues in Cornwall- St Agnes MMI, Threemilestone and St Austell.

Students learn a variety of tricks and skills in these classes as well as working on their flexibility.

Why Capitol School of Dance?

Capitol School of Dance was founded over 30 years ago by Mrs Kay Jones, FISTD.

We offer classes in: Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Acro, Contemporary and Spanish.

Dancers are given the opportunity to perform in shows and festivals and take exams if they wish to in each genre. Capitol Dance is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) (validated by the government and internationally recognised).

Our Teachers

Principal- Mrs Kay Jones FISTD

Born and educated in Cornwall Kay had a career at the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva before accompanying her husband to Hong Kong.

For many years Kay had been a pupil at the late Miss Irene Luke's Cecchetti Ballet School in Newquay. While living and working in Hong Kong she rediscovered her lifelong love of ballet, establishing a renowned ballet school in the famous Repulse Bay Hotel. Kay was also one of the founders of the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet and the Hong Kong Ballet, which has subsequently developed into one of Asia's foremost ballet companies.

Kay returned to her home in Cornwall in 1983 and became principal of the Capitol School of Dance. She founded Duchy Ballet in 1997 and has since overseen all of the company's productions as Artistic Director.

Miss Cara

Cara has danced with Capitol School of Dance and Duchy Ballet since a young age and is trained in many styles but her main passion has always been Ballet. Growing up, Cara competed in many festivals and competitions including winning first prize at the Cecchetti South West Mabel Ryan awards and passed all her Cecchetti/ ISTD exams up to Advanced level.

Cara spent a week training intensively with the Royal Ballet at the Opera House in London, and a week training with Rambert Company before successfully auditioning to attend Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance full time. Whilst at Rambert, Cara was able to learn from top teachers including Ross Mckim, Kerry Nicholls, Jackie Barrett and dancers from world renowned companies such as Hofesh Schechter, Rambert and Richard Alston. Cara then completed her degree at Falmouth University graduating with a 2:1 and began teaching with Capitol School of Dance in 2015.

Cara currently teaches ISTD tap, Modern and Jazz, the Cecchetti method of Ballet and Contemporary. Cara has choreographed successful audition solos and competition pieces, and prepares students for exams annually.

Ms Jodie

Jodie was born and raised in Cornwall and has been dancing since the age of 3. She has studied a variety of genres including: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Disco, Rock and Roll and Cheer.

Jodie has been fortunate enough to perform in venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Saddlers Wells and Disneyland Paris and also took part in Duchy Ballet for many years. Throughout her time she participated in a variety of competitions and festivals being a member of award winning championship teams and completed graded exams in all genres she danced.

Jodie went off to study a degree in Law and a Masters degree in Criminal Psychology and upon completion decided to settle in Cornwall. She qualified as a fitness instructor and took additional qualifications to become a Step Aerobics and Spin Instructor,

Jodie started teaching for Capitol School of Dance in 2015 with Kay Jones as her mentor. She now teaches a variety of classes and also choreographs for shows and festival dances.

As well as teaching Jodie also does the administration for Capitol School of Dance.

jodie.toms@capitolschoolofdance.co.uk

01872 552298