JASON THOMAS R.A.D.R.T.S (Cert. Ed) A.I.D.T.A.

Jason started dancing at the age of 9 at the Cornwall High School of Dancing in Camborne, run by the charismatic and inspirational Madam Norman. At the age of 12, Jason auditioned successfully for Bush Davies School and The Lagat School of Russian Ballet. After finishing the Lower school at Lagat and appearing with the Northern Ballet Theatre on numerous occasions, he attended London Studio Centre, gaining the position of Head Ballet Boy in his second year. After graduation and becoming a member of Equity, Jason has worked throughout the world. He performed in London's West End, throughout Europe and Asia in Las Vegas style revue shows, gaining soloist/dance captain and company manager positions. He performed on many cruise lines on inaugural cruises, holding the same positions.

Terri-Anne Beattie-Sawyer

I have been dancing since the age of 16 years old and I started teaching shortly afterwards. I enjoy a wide range of dance styles but my favourite is ballet. I have been a member of the Jason Thomas Dance company for 2 years. I currently teach ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary. I have completed my FdA in Dance. I am currently studying a BA (hons) in dance theatre, Certificate in Ballet teaching studies with the RAD and Istd and ITDA qualifications. I will be assisting with the nursery Little stars and developing knowledge and training in the EYES . I qualified to fit pointe shoes and teach cheer leading. I am also a member of foundation for community dance.

Oriel Bennett – Health and Dance Fitness Trainer

FA Advanced National Teacher Trainer (Level 4)
Personal Fitness Training, Classes and Choreography
Member of the Register of Exercise Professionals

After a brief career as an international stage and recording artiste I returned to Cornwall and devoted myself to presenting keep fit and dance classes. My training has included fitness through both dance and health-related aims and my classes reflect this professional grounding in purposeful and fun exercise and movement. Everyone is welcome to join; please allow time to talk to me on your first visit.

Julia Fagence

Julia started dancing at the age of seven years old at the Marguerita Hoare School of dancing in St Albans, training in RAD Ballet and ISTD Ballet, Classical Greek, National and Modern Dance.

At 12 years old she moved to Guildford and trained at the Bellairs School of Dance and Drama with RAD examiner Ruth Audsley. At 16 she went on to full time training at Laine Theatre Arts where she trained with Betty Laine and gained her advanced exams in Ballet, Tap, Modern, National and Greek dance.

Over the years she has performed in many Festivals and shows and has choreographed many dances both for herself, children and other adults. Julia has now been teaching both Children and Adults, Ballet, Tap and Modern for 20 years and still regularly performs at the Jason Thomas Performing Arts yearly show, where she choreographs a dance for her Adult Ballet class.

Claudia Lindemann

Flamenco, originated in the South of Spain, is primarily a solo dance where the dancer performs his/her own original material. Claudia Caolin has her background in Contemporary and Flamenco Dance and has now a teaching experience of 22 years. Originally from Germany, she studied also for many years in London and Madrid, where she considerably broadened her technical abilities as well as her theoretical understanding of both art forms. (Claudia also holds an MA in Dance Studies and wrote her thesis about Flamenco Art.) Five years ago Claudia moved to Cornwall where she teaches and performs regularly with her group Claudia Caolin Y Compania. This class is a beginners/ improvers class, so do not feel shy if you never have danced Flamenco before. Technical advancement, including the development of good posture and alignment, is equally emphasized as the discovery of many flamenco styles through different choreographies.

Taylor-Sian Paciuszko

Contemporary Dance/Burlesque teacher

I have been dancing since I was a child in various different schools, studying various different styles, but it wasn’t until I joined Jason’s classes when I was 16 that I knew I wanted to be a dancer. I gained a place on the degree course at one of Europe’s most renowned contemporary schools, the Laban Centre London and graduated in 2006. My final year at the school really ignited my passion for Graham technique and Dance for Camera, whilst giving me the chance to tour new choreographies by Jonathan Stone and Lea Anderson. Alongside my training I worked with Window Dance Company as a performer – this included site specific, instillation and film work performances. I am now currently living in Cornwall and working as a freelance practitioner and teacher. My teaching is based at Truro College and the Jason Thomas Dance Studios and my freelance work has included projects with youth, community and choreographic work as well as performance opportunities with Cscape Dance Company, Attik Dance and The Darkin Ensemble. Over the past couple of years I have co-founded All A Scrawl Dance Theatre – a Cornwall-based contemporary dance company working on live performance and dance for camera.

Pete Collette

Peter trained at the Guildford School of Acting, obtaining a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre:Acting. After leaving Drama School, Peter worked as an actor across England touring a range of theatre from children’s to Shakespeare. in 2016 Peter worked with The Royal Shakespeare Company playing Nick Bottom in their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since moving back to Cornwall Pete has taken lead roles in local productions including Grease and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He’s really excited to be joining the Jason

David Warner B.A (Hons) degree in Urban Dance Practise

I graduated in November 2014 with a B.A (Hons) degree in Urban Dance Practise studied at the University of East London.

I have extensive knowledge in most urban styles. These include; B-boying, Popping, Locking, House, Waacking, Hip-Hop, Capoeira. Knowledge of these styles includes the History, Foundations and development of the style. I thoroughly enjoy training in Lyrical, Ballet, Jazz, Tap.

I am currently living and working as a freelance dance teacher/ performer in Devon and Cornwall. I currently teach regularly at, Jason thomas school of performing arts in Truro.

Susan Tyne

RAD Teachers Certificate & Diploma. (RAD Retired Examiner). OCR Pilates Instructor. BSY Hatha Yoga Teacher. Vegetarian/Vegan Nutritional Therapist & Scientific Nutritionist. I commenced my dance training at 3 years and have been dancing ever since. I studied full time at the prestigious Bush Davies School, and was taught by Noreen Bush and Joy Camden, where I explored many genre and took exams in dance, drama and singing. After leaving school I primarily went into teaching dance, choreography and ran creative and dance therapy workshops both in the UK and Cyprus. For many years I was director of Bomballet Community Dance Company and was principal of my own dance school. In 2007, after my own children had left home and started their own families, I trained to be an international examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance from which I retired in 2016. During this period I focused on freelance teaching, private classes and clients. Now I have returned to Cornwall, my home as a teenager. I believe that everyone can dance with their Heart. Dance is a form of non-verbal communication and expressing emotion. A dancer bares their soul so the audience can feel what is being portrayed. It can give so much to the participants: Control of mind and body Anatomical awareness Syllabi terminology Enhanced musicality and performance skills Physical, spiritual and emotional health Self confidence through meeting exam standards It is a wonderful way to keep fit, whatever the age or ability. Not everyone can be a professional dancer but all can be enriched by the ” Joy of Dance”.

Josephine Conac BA(HONS), PGCE, ISTD DDE, RAD

Jo started dancing at age 3 in Winchester and moved to London at 18 to complete professional Dance training at London Studio Centre. She worked and toured with the Contemporary Dance company INTOTO and graduated with a 2:1 degree. Jo worked with Adrenalin dance company and Future Cinema productions for a short time in London and then at Disneyland Resort Paris as a dancer and performer in the shows and parades. Since then, Jo has completed her teacher training in Secondary Dance education, her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance as well as two Diplomas in Dance Education for both ISTD Modern and ISTD Tap. Jo has taught dance in a variety of environments including Dance schools, Primary and Secondary Schools, Colleges and Schools for children with special needs all over London, Hampshire and now here in Cornwall.

Millie Millington BMus(hons) PGCE

Millie grew up performing in musical ensembles and on stage and was a performer with the National Youth Music Theatre. She graduated in Music from the University of Sheffield and then gained her PGCE from the University of Leeds. She has been a school music teacher since 1992 alongside maintaining her performing and directing work with choirs, theatre groups, orchestras, bands and ensembles all over the UK and abroad. In Cornwall she has directed, conducted, coached or worked with many local theatre societies, school shows, choirs, musical ensembles, soloists and dance schools.

Richard Healey

Richard has musically directed, taught singing and wri8en music for Mountview Academy, LAMDA, East 15 AcBng School, Wilkes Academy and CPA. He is a respected singing teacher, having trained at Southampton (BA [Hons], Music), Bournemouth (MA MulBmedia Design for Film & Television) and Cambridge UniversiBes. He studied voice with John Wakefield (Trinity Guildhall) and orchestraBon/ arranging with Ma8hew Sco8 (Head of Music, The NaBonal Theatre). Richard is also an Associate Musical Director for Youth Music Theatre UK.

Jennifer Bassett

Jennifer started dancing at the age of 3, training in Modern Jazz, Tap and Ballet. She then went to have a 12 year career as a professional dancer. Working for Costa cruises, Celebrity cruises with FJM productions, Celebrity cruises with Qdos productions and Simply ballroom and boogie wonderland with Qdos productions. She also worked on the Le Grande Cirque UK tour and Slapstix UK tour with spirit productions. Masquerade Christmas spectacular with plan b productions, London She also worked as a backing dancer dancing for artists such as the Zutons, Richard Blackwood, The Audio Bully’s, Fat boy Slim, Soul 2 Soul and James Morrison. Jennifer is a qualified IDTA dance teacher and a JP Pilates Barre Instructor