Founded in 2011, Cincinnati Academy of Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides after school programming in performing arts for students K-12 offering group classes, private lessons, and high quality community productions.
Today, CAPA offers high quality group classes and private instruction conveniently after school in the school environment. CAPA currently offers programming at the following schools: Indian Hill, Madeira, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Sherwood Elementary. Private lessons are offered to students and adults at the following locations: Indian Hill, Mariemont, and Armstrong Chapel. Lessons at Indian Hill and Mariemont are open to students and adults living in the district, lessons at Armstrong Chapel are open to all students and adults from all over Cincinnati. Every summer we offer intensive summer theatre camps & a film production camp that are open to all students from the Tri-State area. CAPA provides outreach programming in communities that have no arts programming. Since 2018 we have offered acting classes at Mt Airy Elementary called Mt Airy Theater Players. In addition, new in 2022 we offered an Afro-Caribbean inspired ballet class at Chase Elementary in the Northside. In summer of 2023, CAPA launched a new summer full day dance camp June and July in lower Price Hill.
OUR MISSION
Foster and inspire excellence in all aspects of the performing arts for children and adults within Cincinnati and its surrounding communities through education and public engagement.
CAPA STAFF
ROBIN SCHWANEKAMP - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robin Schwanekamp founded CAPA 2015 with Lisa Harris, Indian Hill theater director at the time, and is currently the Executive Director of the organization. Robin started her career in marketing living in Chicago for ten years before moving to Cincinnati to get married. While raising four children, Robin has been an active volunteer in her children’s schools in leadership roles in Indian Hill PTO, Indian Hill Foundation, Indian Hill Theater, St Xavier High Mothers Club as well as Indian Hill Mothers Club President, Indian Hill Swim Club Board, Indian Hill Winter Club Board, St. Gertrude Pastoral Council, Cincinnati Ballet, Youth Collaborative and Council on Child Abuse. Robin is a commercial actor/model with Heyman Talent Artists Agency. Robin has her BS from Miami University and is married with 4 kids whose interest in theater is what started her on this journey. “I never imagined I would have started a nonprofit in the performing arts – it’s been a wild ride and I’ve loved every minute!” |
KELLY WALKER - PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Most of Kelly's life has included the performing arts. She started doing musical theatre summer camps in 3rd grade and continued through all of high school. In college she was involved in Ohio University's opera program. Upon getting her first teaching job in Fairfield she created a drama program at the middle school level, as well as directing middle school choir and co-directing the show choir, Rhythm Express. She has acted, directed, and produced and enjoys being a clinician for all types of choirs and theatre programs. She has her bachelor's in music education from Ohio University and master's from The University of Dayton. She has been a part of OMEA, ACDA, EdTA and is certified in iTheatrics and non-profit management. Kelly is constantly learning how to best serve the youth she works with and takes pride in guiding future musicians and arts advocates. She is grateful for her husband and two wonderful children, Tara, 12 and Cole, 17. |
CAPA BOARD
- President – Debbie Graeter
- Secretary – Jen Brunette
- Treasurer - Molly Smyth
- Governance - Molly Poling
- Lisa Becker
- Erin Starkey
- Melissa Stewart
Questions? Please reach out!
[email protected]
[email protected]
(513) 813-7990
7864 Camargo Road
Cincinnati, OH 45243
[email protected]
[email protected]
(513) 813-7990
7864 Camargo Road
Cincinnati, OH 45243