Feature Story & Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Caponi Cannolis School of the Arts has been providing a musical and theatre performance outlet for children since 2005.
Founders Jennifer and Angelo Caponi share their passion to teach students not only how to perform but to tap into their inner self while showcasing outwardly what they inwardly possess. Jennifer shares, “We offer something in South Lake County that is an outlet for children who may not be able to find elsewhere. I believe we have been able to thrive these last 17 years because our primary focus remains on building relationships with our students and their parents. We run our studio like a family and our motto is “Once a Cannoli, always a Cannoli.” In our Musical Theater classes, the students get guidance with tips from industry professionals. The children learn auditioning, choreography, blocking, set building and performing! We have a stage, professional lighting and microphones, which creates the ambiance of performing in a big city Black Box Theater.”
Angelo proudly states, “No experience is required to join our Caponi Family. We offer a place where students can grow in their confidence and craft in a safe family environment. It took us over 13 years to get our own space with a black box theater. We invested everything we had to make it work, but when Covid hit, we almost had to close our doors. Many families were out of work so we knew it was going to be difficult for everyone, so we made tuition optional when we were forced to go virtual. The community rallied behind us, so we pushed forward and we didn’t give up!”
The Cannolis are looking to add community theater, improv, and music events to their list of offerings and eventually, build their own community theater space. Angelo shares his vision, “Caponi Cannolis’ is where future stars are born. We proudly have been creating memories through the arts since 2005!”
The school offers musical theater classes for VPK-Grade 1, Elementary Grades 2-5, and for both middle and high school students. They have a show chorus, and offer private voice lessons in their Black Box Theater. They are planning to expand their workshops this year to offer classes for homeschool, tech, commercials and T.V. acting. Coming soon, monthly events for adults such as improv, karaoke and mystery dinner party.
The Caponi Cannoli’s Show Chorus recently did a virtual audition for ‘Live’ for America’s Got Talent right from their studio with a TV producer. They have their hopes up and are crossing their fingers that AGT will call them back for the next round of auditions this Spring. They will soon be performing at City Walk in Universal Studios for the first time. One of their students, Shamariah Jones went on to be a finalist on The Voice TV show.
Angelo Caponi was born in Fort Lauderdale and graduated from UCF with a degree in Elementary Education. Caponi has always loved to sing, and he has learned that sharing his love of singing with children has brought much joy to their lives. He is a K-5 music teacher at Minneola Charter and has produced over 120 children’s musicals at his current elementary school. He has performed in many plays and musicals including 1776, Godspell, Our Town, Annie. If you ever need for him to sing Sinatra gigs, let him know. Click HERE for his Demo
Jennifer Caponi is from New York and a graduate of UCF with a degree in Elementary Education. She has performed in community theater in plays and musicals. Her favorite role thus far was playing Lily St. Regis alongside her husband in “Annie.” She has taught theater arts classes at Walt Disney World as part of their Youth Education Series as well as for their Camp Disney theater arts programs for grades K-12. She also has taught professionally in the public school system at the elementary level.
Jennifer shares that she always had a passion for performing, even though she was a very shy child. She says she wished something like the Caponi Cannoli program existed when she was younger.
The Caponi’s have two children, Christopher and Sofia.
Meet the Crew:
Wendy Webber is the program director and choreographer. Kasey Love is an Assistant Director and Angelo Caponi is the Show Chorus Director.
Kellie Lawton and Reagan Pierce are the choreographers. Kellie Lawton is a long-time Walt Disney World performer. Reagan Pierce is also a former Disney and Broadway performer.
Eli Baez is the costume designer, Audra Jones is the vocal instructor,
Jessica Vogel is the Stage Manager, Derek Vogel manages Video and Photography. The Vogel family help behind the scenes and two of their children are performers.
Learn more about this talented team by visiting: THE CREW
For More Information, visit Caponi Cannolis School of the Arts located at 303 North US Highway 27 Suite 2C, Minneola, FL 34715. Call: 407-319-3992. Email: info@caponimusic.com. Visit their website at: https://caponimusic.com. Like and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/caponiscannolis/
