The Celestar Studio of Performing Arts (C.S.o.P.A) is an international jazz dance studio . The first of its kind in the world, its operations and structure are based on established global models such as the Royal Academy of Dancing, the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance, the International Dance Teachers’ Association and many others.

What makes C.S.o.P.A different is its focus on Jazz Dance and its codification of a unique syllabus, encompassing all modern forms of jazz dance, e.g. Hip-Hop, Funk and Groove. 

Each successful ‘dance teaching studio” model is based on:

 v      A Syllabus

v      A body of teachers who are trained by the studio and therefore qualify to teach the syllabus

v      A system of Examinations, at various levels, into which qualified teachers enter their students

The C.S.o.P.A already has a Syllabus, which is currently being taught at the main studio as well as schools in Malaysia, Indonesia and Switzerland.. The syllabus is being taught by the founder, Celeste Theunissen as well as qualified Celestar studio teachers.

 The Syllabus encompasses all the popular forms of modern dance culture and there is a clear demand for the product, as evidenced in the pages of the global web site Dance Teachers On-Line. 

Many teachers already teach elements of jazz dance, and many students learn it. The difference that C.S.o.P.A will make is that, whilst other dance forms such as Ballet and Contemporary Dance have long-established codified systems of training, jazz dance has none. It is a known fact that students, and particularly the parents of young pupils, demand recognition and credibility in order to engage with the system and entrust their children to its care. C.S.o.P.A will provide this recognition and credibility through its Syllabus, which will be accredited by the various national authorities throughout the world.

The President and Executive Director of the C.S.o.P.A is Celeste Theunissen. Celeste is a professional dancer and a qualified teacher. Celeste has an international reputation as a dancer, teacher and choreographer and is based in Malaysia. She is also the President of the Jazz Dance Society of Malaysia and Artistic Director of the Celestar Jazz Dance Company. 

Consultancy support and further international credibility are provided by Nigel Grant, Consultant in Dance Education and Training, who was for 14 years Assistant Director at the world-renowned Royal Ballet School. Nigel is based in the U.K., from where he runs the web site Dance Teachers On-Line.

  Lara Branen acts as the Jazz 5 level examiner and also as transfer advocate for students wishing to major in dance. Lara is based in the USA. She is the Director of the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop. She currently teaches at a 2-year transfer preparatory college in Northern California (Santa Rosa Junior College) where she acts as Director of the touring dance ensemble and the annual Spring Dance Performance