Fully qualified dance instructors in Truro

The team at Jason Thomas Performing Arts consists of qualified dance instructors who have been practising this form of art for many years, becoming masters in their area. They have professional performance experience in dancing and musical theatre. To study and learn under their guidance, contact Jason Thomas Performing Arts in Truro. We're easily accessible for students in Bude, St. Ives, Portreath, Bodmin, Fowey and Wadebridge.

Dance classes

Jason Thomas, R.A.D. (R.T.S) A.I.D.T.A

Having previously performed in London's West End, Jason Thomas has established his performing arts classes across Cornwall since 2001. He has opened seven schools in Cornwall and is the artistic director of the Foundation Course in Dance and Musical Theatre. His students enter exams yearly with the Royal Academy of Dance, Trinity College of London and the International Dance Teachers Association.

Jason is also a mentor for the Royal Academy of Dance and has choreographed for local holiday camps and pantomimes. His school is regularly asked to work with many companies such as "Strictly Come Dancing" star Pasha Kovalev and with Ellen Kent's Opera Ballet International. Many of his students are now at vocational dance colleges, as well as younger students auditioning successfully for the Royal Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, Elmhurst School of Dance, Arts Educational - Tring Park and The Hammond School.

Jason also teaches at Truro High School for Girls .He also runs Cornwall Casting Agency.

Jason said, "I am passionate about enabling as many students as possible to discover, participate and excel in performing arts. I am excited by the opportunity to have a studio in Bude as it will allow even more students across Cornwall to sample and gain experience in many genres of dance."

Terri-Anne Beattie-Sawyer, Dance instructor

Terri-Anne started dancing later in life in Dorset, after becoming interested following GCSE dance. Terri-Anne began teaching at the age of 16 with her local school as a teaching assistant in Ballet, tap and modern. She also taught for a performing art school in Boscombe and sports center's.

She went on to complete her Foundation degree in Dance at Truro college before completing the final top up year at Plymouth University graduating with a first-class honor's in 2011 in BA (Hons) Dance Theatre. Recently Terri-Anne has gained a degree in Adult Nursing.

Terri-Anne has since then completed her Ballet teaching certificate with the Royal Academy of Dance and DDE modern with the ISTD. She is also certified to teach Arco Arts, leaps and turns and contemporary.

Terri-Anne has taught at Jason Thomas Performing Arts since 2009 and currently teaches Ballet, Tap and modern. She regularly prepares students for examinations and shows.

Roxanne Dewberry, Drama Instructor

Biography: Meet Our Inspiring New Acting Coach

Roxy Rose Role: Acting Coach

Are you ready to step into the spotlight and unleash your inner performer? Meet Roxy, our dynamic and dedicated Acting Coach at Jason Thomas Dance. With a passion for creativity and an unwavering commitment to helping others thrive, Roxy is here to guide you on your journey to becoming a star.

About Roxanne Rose

Roxy is not your typical coach. They are confident and curious creative with a boundless enthusiasm for personal and professional development. Their can-do attitude and positive disposition light up any room, making them the perfect mentors for aspiring performers like you.

Versatile Creative Background

With extensive experience in the creative media sectors, including digital media/marketing, music, theatre, and acting Roxy brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. They're not just a coach; they're an innovative team player who can seamlessly collaborate with others or work independently. Their excellent communication skills and a knack for problem-solving make them a standout leader.

A Passion for Excellence

Roxy is known for their attention to detail and exceptional time management skills. When they're not guiding students toward their artistic goals, you'll find them thinking outside the box, seeking innovative solutions, and ensuring every project is executed to perfection.

Education and Qualifications

Oxford Brookes MA in Music and Contemporary Arts (2014)
Cardiff University PGCE PCET (Post Compulsory Education Training 16+ sector) (2020)
Royal Scottish Conservatoire BA Degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice 2:1 (2007)Recipient of the Special Prize Education Award
Stow College Diploma in Music Business Management (2008)

Roxy also believes in continuous growth and development. They've completed various professional development programs, including a film and TV summer school at the New York Conservatoire of Dramatic Arts, a leadership certificate from Cardiff University, and additional courses at Oxford University.

Skills That Shine

Technical expertise in Vocal and Acting Artistry.
Exceptional focus and attention to detail.
Innovative thinking.
Highly organized with excellent time management.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
A passion for learning, growing, and developing.

Guiding Future Stars

Here at Jason Thoman Dance Roxy is currently, teaching ATCL BTEC years 1 & 2, equivalent to levels 3 and 4, and Trinity musical theatre diplomas, equivalent to grade 8. Her coaching covers a wide range of acting skills, including script memorization, effective communication, body and voice control, script analysis, voice-over basics, taking direction, on-camera technique, and artist business development.

But it's not just about the craft; Roxy fosters an environment of kindness and empathy, ensuring that every student feels supported and empowered on their artistic journey.

If you're ready to embark on a transformative acting adventure with a coach who truly cares about your success, Roxy is here to help you shine at Jason Thomas Dance as your star is destined to rise!

Sapphire Sumpter , Dance Instructor

Sapphire Sumpter is a freelance dancer, choreographer and workshop facilitator based in Cornwall. Growing up in Cornwall, she began as an associate of the Royal Ballet School, before training at London Vocational Ballet School, followed by Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance BA(Hons) at which she trained extensively in Graham, Cunningham and Release techniques and worked with choreographers such as Christopher Bruce, Jose Agudo and Arielle Smith.

During her time in London she also toured Britain with Yorke Dance Company performing works by Kenneth MacMillan and choreographed, directed and danced in choreographic work for the Rambert Platform Shows and LDIF19 at the Curve, Leicester.

In 2022 she founded Numinous Dance in Cornwall, running workshops and taking on choreographic commissions that explore the flow state in dance through narrative choreography. Numinous premiered its current work 'Kernow Agan Tre' (Cornwall Our Home), at AMATA this year and will be performing at Hall for Cornwall in September 2024.

In 2023 she joined the New Adventures Overture Cohort and is now the Ambassador for the South West.

In 2021/2024 Sapphire danced in and choreographed for a variety of dance film projects, including the music video for Envy of None ‘Never Said I Love You’; 'Appearance' a dance and spoken word film by local film maker Adam Drake that screened at CAST and Cornwall film festival in 2023; starred in 'The Sentinel' a Cornish short film in conjunction with Falmouth University; and choreographed/performed in multi award-winning film ‘Shamanic Journey’ by film maker Julian Konczak with music by Barry Ganberg (Rambert School). She also danced in BBC's Dope Girls, which releases in September 2024.

Sapphire regularly teaches Contemporary dance & classical ballet around Cornwall, including as a guest teacher for T & A associates and SWDA. She is also currently involved in running Take Flight - an outreach program by New Adventures and Theatre Royal Plymouth for young people to experience Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake.

Sapphire defines herself as a dancer, choreographer and teacher in a phrase she picked up from her time at Rambert School. It was just before going on stage for a solo in her 3rd year and the head of music – who inspired her so much during her training – shared with her the following wisdom: ‘Just give’.

That wisdom has shaped her as a dancer and has become her mantra for doing what she does.

Orla O'Regan, Acro Teacher

I started dancing from the age of 2 doing taking part in baby ballet and eventually going on to take Tap & modern. After taking GCSE dance I finished dance classes at 16. Throughout my time dancing I took part in many shows and displays as well working up through the RAD Grades for Ballet. At the age of 10 I started gymnastics and cheerleading of which I competed in the county and became county champions with my team 3 years running. This then lead to becoming a coach. After leaving school I was offered an apprenticeship with British Gymnastics of which I went on to receive Distinction. Throughout this programme I have also gone on to complete my coaching qualifications and currently hold a Level 3 in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. I am now pleased to announce that Jason Thomas Performing Arts are now in collaboration with Penryn Gymnastics Centre.

Ben Di'ath, Dance Instructor

Under the direction of Wesley Wairing the students enter exams with The International Dance Teachers Association and dance competitions with the United Dance Organisation. Students are entered for groups, solos, duets, trios and quads for exams and competitions. Street dance, Breaking and Hip-Hop classes are extremely popular and fun. Students will learn many styles of Street Dance including krumping, popping, locking and B-boying.

Steve Hill, Singing Teacher

Steve is originally from Worcester and trained at Leeds College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Before moving to Cornwall, he taught Musical Theatre at Laine Theatre Arts and Guildford School of Acting.

Musical Director credits in London include Five Guys Named Moe (Marble Arch), Rent (Duke Of Yorks), A Model Girl (Greenwich), Bent (Trafalgar Studios), Diamond (Kings Head), Hair (Gate Theatre), Fame (Victoria Palace), UK tours of Rocky Horror Show, Spend Spend Spend, Fame, The House That Nat Built, Carousel, Smokey Joe’s Café and 42nd Street, along with The Rat Pack (Portugal) and Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (GSA).

Assistant MD credits include The Genius Of Ray Charles (Theatre Royal, Haymarket), Songs My Mother Taught Me (Savoy Theatre, London) and the UK tours of Hollywood And Broadway and Magic Of The Musicals, while pantomimes include Jack And The Beanstalk (Hall For Cornwall), Jack And The Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Aladdin and Snow White (Guildford), Cinderella (Derby), Aladdin (Yeovil), Aladdin (Malvern) and Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin and Beauty And The Beast (Crawley).

On numerous concert tours Steve has played for Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Sarah Brightman, Elaine Paige, Andrea Bocelli and Lorna Luft, and in 1999 accompanied the late Larry Adler at Pizza In The Park, London. He also performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Big Band, and from 1992 to 1995 was Musical Director for CSE (Combined Services Entertainment).

Steve orchestrated A Model Girl (Greenwich Theatre), was Musical Arranger on Hair (Gate Theatre) and one of the Musical Arrangers on That’s Amore (UK Tour) and the dance show Burn The Floor (World Tour). He has also published three books of Jazz Piano arrangements for Music Sales Limited, The Beatles For Jazz Piano, Thelonious Monk – Straight No Chaser and Jazz Club Piano Solos (Volume 1), and composed the score for the musical Diamond, Incidental Music for the play My Bed Was Too Comfy and the theme tune for the children’s cartoon series Raindrops.

Kathryn Charlesworth, Dance instructor

Kathryn trained at a local school in Warrington and attended the Royal Ballet Junior Summer School at the age of 11. She became an associate at Northern Ballet School, Manchester and then trained full time at the age of 16 on the Classical Ballet Course for 3 years. During that time, she reached Advanced Ballet in RAD and ISTD Imperial Ballet, Advanced Modern and Intermediate tap. Kathryn also decided to gain a teaching qualification in ISTD Imperial Ballet.

Professionally, Kathryn has performed with European Ballet and Vienna Festival Ballet touring the UK in ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker , Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. She was also a guest artist and ballet mistress for Duchy Ballet in 2005. Kathryn also performed at Warner Bros. Movie World in Germany, theatre tour ‘Amar Amalia’ in Portugal and worked with Fred Olsen & P&O cruises where she also became Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer. She has also performed in many cabaret performances around the UK and has taught for many schools and theatre groups in the North West, London and Cornwall.

Kathryn is a member of the RAD, ISTD and Equity.

Wesley Waring, Dance instructor

I trained with Pamela De Waal in Paignton, an inspirational lady who not

only was a massive influence in my life but enriched it by opening up so

many opportunities such as dancing with the Moscow City Ballet, the

English National and Vienna Ballet Company. After receiving a full

scholarship, I went onto train at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey when I was

16. It was there I gained my Musical Theatre Diploma.

After graduating, my first contract was with the Stadium Theatre Company

for P&O Cruises, Oceania and 12 years later prior to me returning to

Devon I once again returned to P&O on the Ventura, Arcadia and Azura

but this time working with the Headliners Theatre Company.

I have been fortunate to have worked as a dancer in nearly all genres of

dance, in London’s West End ‘We Will Rock You’. Additionally to working

on cruise ships I have toured China with Spirit Productions in "Red Hot

Broadway" and South Africa with the "Essence of Ireland" where we

played at the Nelson Mandela Theatre. With both companies I have

toured the length and breadth of the UK too. Television appearances

include; The Bill, Bad Girls, The Dream Team and Miss Marple and

modelling opportunities included working for Calvin Klein, D&G, Hugo

Boss, Quicksilver and Marks & Spencer.

Some of the performers I have been lucky enough to share a stage with

include, Ruthie Henshall, Kerry Ellis, Warren Carlisle and Matt Flint at the

Aldwych Theatre in London's West End. Pop stars such as Blue, Rachel

Stevens, Sugababes and Kylie Minogue. More recently I have worked

with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing including Craig Revel Horwood,

Kevin & Karen Clifton, Kevin's sister Joanna Clifton, Giovanni Pernice and

Georgia May Foote.

Naomi Solomon - Guest Dance Instructor

Naomi grew up and trained in Cornwall before she attended the London Studio Centre where she graduated from the Jazz Company with a first class degree in 2014. Since then she has been working professionally in various aspects of the industry but most notably a touring ballet company where she stayed for 5 years working her way up through the ranks.

Following the pandemic she has gained her PGCE is dance education and spent the last two years working at Urdang in London. Naomi is very excited to be back in Cornwall and working with the next generation of performers

Testimonials

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"Fantastic place to learn to dance. From beginner to advanced, young to young at heart. A class for everyone. Amazing performance opportunities and excellent exam results. The best all round dance training to be had."

- Clare Hunt