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CAPA FACULTY
Director: Joan Robinson Borchers
Faculty: Ann Barrett, Lynn Brilhante, Dalyn Chew, Rachel Chew, Justin Cole, Linda Duda, Jennifer Jaffe, Michael Lowe, Debbie Pitts, Sarah Schori, Megan Watt and Shirley Wong.
JOAN ROBINSON BORCHERS
Joan Robinson Borchers began her professional career at 13 when cast to play Ginger Rogers’ little sister in “Annie Get Your Gun”. Roles with Robert Goulet, Andy Williams, Barbara Eden, Gene Barry and many other “stars” followed. At Duquesne University, she was a full scholarship student and a member of the world renown Duquesne University Tamburitzans. After living and performing in Berlin,Germany she made her way to El Paso, Texas, where she was a television news anchor for the NBC affiliate and the first newswoman on El Paso TV. Joan lived in Moraga from 1973-99 where she, with her late husband Peter, raised their two daughters. She is the founder of CAPA and has been actively teaching and directing here for 27 years. She is now married to Doyle Borchers and lives in the Napa Valley.
ANN BARRETT
Ann Barrett, a true artist in the field of jazz dance, is one of the most coveted dance instructors and choreographers around. Ann is often defined as having a great sense of humor. This, along with her ability to break down movement with clarity and speed, has enabled her to keep things light in an art form that is extremely demanding. She is able to pinpoint problems in dancers easily allowing for quick progression. The joy she gets from dancing is equal to that of a good laugh, but one thing she's sure of - laughing is quite a bit easier. Here are just a few of her MANY credits:
"Time After Time,” Paramount Productions, Feature Film - Specialty Choreographer
"Mannequins,” Walt Disney Productions, Orlando - Asst Choreographer
”The Method,” Pacific Star Productions, Feature Film - Choreographer
"The Emeralds,” Las Vegas Hilton - Choreographer
"Stage Fright," Paramount's Great America - Choreographer
"Mediterranean Nights,” Harrah's Hotel, Reno - Choreographer/Director
"A New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras,” Bally's Hotel, Reno - Choreographer/Director
"Dance Through Time" Dance Company - Guest Choreographer
Adidas Dance Team, National Productions - Choreographer
Macy's "International Style" - Choreographer/Asst Director
KPIX TV - Celebrity Choreographer
LYNN BRILHANTE
Lynn Brilhante's dancing and choreography are often described as dynamic, fluid and gutsy. She brings a fresh and innovative approach to the world of Jazz and shows a unique ability to merge and update various elements, in the process creating her own trademark style. These talents have recently earned her a nomination for the Theatre L.A. Ovation Award for Choreography. Ms. Brilhante has also received the Dance Masters of America Choreographer's Award and the Robbi Award for Choreography. Her acclaim reaches internationally to the Jazz workshop, Die Werkstatt, in Dusseldorf Germany, where she continues to be invited as a guest artist. Her success in transfering her love of dance through teaching is evidenced by a flock of loyal students, both in her studio classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and at numerous workshops, master classes and camps throughout the world. Ms. Brilhante boasts a long and impressive resume of choreographic and performance achievements, spanning the diverse media of stage, film, television and video. Her contributions will continue to enrich the dance world. CAPA is fortunate to have had Lynn as a major backbone of our esteemed faculty for many years, as she is constantly in demand as one of the top teacher/choreographers in the nation.
JUSTIN COLE
Justin grew up in the Bay Area and developed a love for dance and theater at an early age. By sixteen he was teaching children's theatre and performing in high school. He studied musical theatre at San Francisco State University. As a student, he studied tap and jazz while continuing to perform song and dance roles on stages across the Bay Area. He has developed a style that is unique. He began teaching for CAPA in 2000 and now produces wonderful pieces filled with his fresh and creative tap and hip-hop styles. His enthusiasm for teaching and performing shines through to his students, and his infectious energy creates a fun and productive process. His goal is to teach dance and help his students find their true love and passion in dance.
MICHAEL LOWE
Born in Oakland and raised in Alameda, Mr. Lowe was encouraged at an early age to explore the joy and discipline of classical ballet to augment his coordination and strength in athletics. Michael joined Oakland Ballet in 1974 and was promoted to principal dancer in 1976 with his debut as Alias in Billy the Kid. A scholarship student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City, Mr. Lowe has performed with the Pacific Ballet Company, Gilbert Reed Ballet Company, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, North Dakota Ballet, and the Old Souls New Shoes Dance Company with Mark Morris. Mr. Lowe has worked with such legendary choreographers as Agnes De Mille, John Butler, Leonide Massine, Frederic Franklin, Anna Sokolow, Betsy Erickson, Willem Christensen, and Ronn Guidi. Noted for both his imaginative interpretations of roles and his harmonious partnerships, Mr. Lowe in recent years has revealed himself as a gifted choreographer. He has created a number of striking ballets, many of which have been presented by Oakland Ballet, including Table for Two, Witness, The Emperor and the Nightingale (a 2000 Izzie nominee), and Dim Sum. In addition to his dancing and choreography, Mr. Lowe served as Assistant Artistic Director from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Lowe retired from the stage in 2000 to devote himself to teaching, coaching, and choreographing. Michael taught ballet at the 2001 Shanghai International Ballet Competitions. Through his exploration and research in Asia, he produced his wildly successful Bamboo for Oakland Ballet in November 2001, which received rave reviews in Dance Magazine and numerous Bay Area newspapers. Michael also choreographed the world premiere, SAPP, in February 2002. Michael also was the recipient of the prestigious Izzie Award for Bamboo in 2003.
MEGAN WATT
Megan has written and directed four full-length children's musicals. She is a specialist in period movement/dance styles. She designs costumes and lighting and has worked as a costume maker and production technician. Her students consistently receive the highest awards at competitions competing her choreography. She has directed and choreographed numerous childrens plays, operas and dance recitals as well as many professional adult productions. Her training includes The Cornish Institute of the Arts/Preparatory Ballet Division in Seattle, WA; The Redwood Empire Ballet School in Santa Rosa, CA; The Palesche Pacific Ballet in Santa Rosa, CA;The Dancer's Stage School and Company in San Francisco; and The Envoy/Classroom management and teacher workshops in Santa Rosa, CA.
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