Why Choose Us for Dance Lessons

1. History of excellence

For over 60 years, the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, (formerly the Carmel Ballet Academy,) has been recognized as the premier dance, theatre arts and private music training facility on the Monterey Peninsula.  Joanne Nix, the owner and director of the original Carmel Ballet Academy, concentrated entirely on ballet discipline and performance.  In the 26 years since Carol Richmond purchased the facility, the scope of classes offered has grown to include a complete dance and performing arts curriculum. In order to provide families with exciting and enriching programs for all ages, we continue to expand.

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2. Personalized Attention 

Along with excellence in training at all levels at the Academy, many classes at CAPA have teacher training assistants allowing the teacher more flexibility in teaching, whether it be assistant demonstration, freeing the teacher to view the entire class and generally allow each student to be looked after properly.

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3. Award winning Competitive Teams 

For over 25 years, TEAM CAPA has been an award winning competitive jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary and lyrical team.  Competition at CAPA is not the total focus for the team member, yet the inspiration given to the TEAM through outside choreographers, travel, team camaraderie and motivation can be an invaluable tool to the dancer, whether they choose to take a professional route or simply enjoy dance during the school years.

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4. The ability to get immediate assistance and customer service

In many studios the teacher or the studio owner conducts classes and does the administration.  By trying to do two jobs at once, the class may suffer by the teacher having to use class time for customer service issues, or the studio may have no customer service available if the teacher is in a class. To have a good experience it is important to choose a studio that can assist you with details like costumes or schedules, even if a teacher is occupied in a class.  Our studio has office staff available during class times, so you can have immediate assistance for any customer service issues you may have. Our teachers are left free to focus on teaching so the class can always have their undivided attention.

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5. No Recital Fee

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CAPA doesn't charge a fee to dance in the annual recital/Showcase!  We offer free alterations for all recital costumes.

6. CAPA is a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Registered School

Carmel Academy of Performing Arts' Classical Ballet Program provides the Royal Academy of Dance comprehensive ballet training from Ballet III/Intermediate Foundation through pre-professional levels.  With a focus on technical and artistic excellence, students in this program take on a grade level every academic year providing continuous ballet training.  CAPA is “an R.A.D. school” meaning the Academy teaches the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) method as the foundation of their Classical Ballet Program.  Taught in 79 countries around the world, the R.A.D. is the world’s leading organization in classical ballet
teaching known for its correct and precise technique providing for a safe, age-appropriate, and thorough foundation training in classical ballet.  (For more information about the R.A.D., please visit www.radusa.org)

Select students prepare for and participate in internationally recognized R.A.D. exams, which take place in March/April each year.  Exams are intended to help encourage dancers to achieve the goal of mastering their particular level of study elevating the dancer with measurable progress and “graduating” them to the next level. In 2016, CAPA held its first onsite exams and 25 students entered for RAD examinations.  Students in the Ballet program also participate in our annual Showcase recital. Select dancers in the program also have the option to perform at competitions or other community events, such as Youth America Grand Prix. 

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See all RAD class outlines under the "BALLET" tab below.

Awards Earned

Gaining the Intermediate Certificate will now allow these students upon their 18th birthday, to enroll on the two year Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate Program should they choose to pursue a career in the teaching of Classical ballet.

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Some of these students also gained their Advanced Foundation examination. It is extremely rare for students to enter for two examinations in the same session and here at CAPA we are extremely proud of their commitment and the dedication they have shown to achieve these results.