Staff
Staff
Staff
Our
Staff
At CAPA College, our students are supported by an exceptional team of industry professionals and specialist educators. Our staff bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of theatre, dance, music, production arts and education, creating a vibrant and professional learning environment where creativity can truly thrive.
Every member of the CAPA College team is dedicated to nurturing talent and widening access to the arts for young people. Together, we are proud to champion excellence, innovation and opportunity in performing and creative arts education.
See our full Staff Directory below
Our
Staff
At CAPA College, our students are supported by an exceptional team of industry professionals and specialist educators. Our staff bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of theatre, dance, music, production arts and education, creating a vibrant and professional learning environment where creativity can truly thrive.
Every member of the CAPA College team is dedicated to nurturing talent and widening access to the arts for young people. Together, we are proud to champion excellence, innovation and opportunity in performing and creative arts education.
See our full Staff Directory below
Claire Nicholson
Principal
As Principal and co-founder of CAPA College, Claire’s impact on arts education has been recognised with One Dance UK’s Inspirational Lecturer award and the 2024 Jane Attenborough Award for lifetime achievement in Arts Education, a recognition of her sustained leadership and advocacy for excellence, access and opportunity. A former dancer, choreographer and teacher who worked extensively across the UK, Claire is driven by a belief that world-class arts education should be accessible to every young person.
Eddie Copp
Creative Director
Eddie Copp is the Vice Principal and Creative Director at CAPA College. Trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Rambert School and Central School of Ballet, Eddie has over 25 years’ experience as a performer, creative and educator. His performance career includes collaborations with renowned choreographers and companies in Europe, before transitioning into senior leadership in arts education. At CAPA College, Eddie leads the creative vision, inspiring and developing the next generation of performing artists.
Adam Sheard
Assistant Principal
With a degree in Performance Design and Production, Adam has worked as a Technical Manager, in Theatre in Education. His work focused on bringing arts into schools, prisons, and youth settings. Since joining CAPA College, he led the development of a Production Arts curriculum rooted in industry standards. Adam is now the College SENCO, continuing his commitment to inclusive education and accessible opportunities.
Amy Reddaway
Assistant Principal
Amy trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Acting (Performing Arts). After graduating, she worked professionally as a creative before retraining as a teacher specialising in English and Drama. She now oversees the CAPA College’s SEND provision and re-sit provision, ensuring that all students have equal access to learning and achieve their full potential.
Katy James
Assistant Principal
Katy has been a part of the CAPA College team for over ten years. While watching the college grow from strength to strength, she has also been proud to be a part of Pilot Theatre Company’s board of Trustees, supporting outstanding theatre in our region. While Katy’s background is in Drama and Theatre, her professional journey has led to a deep passion for safeguarding and educational leadership.
Lucy Aspinwall
Associate Leader
Lucy brings a strong background in dance, with a particular focus on choreography, to the College. Prior to joining the team, they completed an MA in Choreography, which has deeply informed their expertise and artistic approach to guiding the next generation of creatives.. Their professional journey reflects a clear commitment to fostering excellence in teaching and learning within the College.
Will Taylor
Associate Leader
Will specialises in Musical Theatre and trained at the Guildford School of Acting. He brings a deep passion for inclusive, triple-threat training, ensuring young people are both challenged and supported to reach their full potential. Will plays a key role in developing the College’s Film & TV offer; collaborating closely with partners including Netflix, and ITV to deliver innovative training aligned with current industry developments.
Our
Staff
At CAPA College, our students are supported by an exceptional team of industry professionals and specialist educators. Our staff bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of theatre, dance, music, production arts and education, creating a vibrant and professional learning environment where creativity can truly thrive.
Every member of the CAPA College team is dedicated to nurturing talent and widening access to the arts for young people. Together, we are proud to champion excellence, innovation and opportunity in performing and creative arts education.
See our full Staff Directory below
Claire Nicholson
Principal
As Principal and co-founder of CAPA College, Claire’s impact on arts education has been recognised by One Dance UK’s Inspirational Lecturer Award and the 2024 Jane Attenborough Award for lifetime achievement in Arts Education, a recognition of her sustained leadership and advocacy for excellence, access and opportunity. A former dancer, choreographer and teacher who worked across the UK, Claire is driven by a belief that world-class arts education should be accessible to every young person.
Eddie Copp
Creative Director
Eddie Copp is the Vice Principal and Creative Director at CAPA College. Trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Rambert School and Central School of Ballet, Eddie has over 25 years’ experience as a performer and educator. His career has included collaborations with renowned choreographers and companies in Europe, before transitioning into senior leadership in arts education. At CAPA College, Eddie leads the creative vision, inspiring and developing the next generation of performing artists.
Amy Reddaway
Assistant Principal
Amy trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Acting (Performing Arts). After graduating, she worked professionally in the creative industry before retraining as a teacher specialising in English and Drama. She now oversees the CAPA College’s SEND provision and Exam re-sit provision, ensuring that all students have equal access to learning and achieve their full potential.
Adam Sheard
Assistant Principal
Katy James
Assistant Principal
Katy has been a part of the CAPA College team for over ten years. While watching the college grow from strength to strength, she has also been proud to be a part of Pilot Theatre Company’s board of Trustees, supporting outstanding theatre in our region. While Katy’s background is in Drama and Theatre, her professional journey has led to a deep passion for safeguarding and educational leadership.
Lucy Aspinwall
Associate Leader
Lucy brings a strong background in dance, with a particular focus on choreography, to the College. Prior to joining the team, they completed an MA in Choreography, which has deeply informed their expertise and artistic approach to teaching and guiding the next generation of creatives. Their professional journey reflects a clear commitment to fostering excellence in teaching and learning within the College.
Will Taylor
Associate Leader
Will specialises in Musical Theatre and trained at the Guildford School of Acting. He brings a deep passion for inclusive, triple-threat training, ensuring young people are both challenged and supported to reach their full potential. Will plays a key role in developing the College’s Film & TV offer; collaborating closely with partners including Netflix, and ITV to deliver innovative training aligned with current industry developments.
