Alumni Archives | College of Performing Arts Archive

Beyond the Stage How Joe Chantry ’14 turned a dance degree into a global entertainment career on land and sea.

April 6, 2026 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

For students curious about the many paths an arts degree can open, Joe Chantry ’14, a Dance and Peace & Conflict Studies alumnus, offers one inspiring example. Today, as Vice President of Entertainment and Enrichment at Holland America Line and Seabourn, he oversees casting, production, and guest experience across a fleet of 17 cruise ships. He shared how Chapman shaped his path from performing artist to

CoPA Alumna Kavita Rao’s Multifaceted Career in the Arts Dancer, choreographer, educator, and entrepreneur, Kavita Rao credits Chapman’s community and curriculum for helping her navigate the ever-changing arts industry.

October 21, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Alumna Kavita Rao (‘05) studied Dance and Communications with a PR emphasis and continues to use the skills she learned at Chapman University in her career as a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, artistic director, and business owner today. Kavita has experienced many professional evolutions throughout her career. After graduating from Chapman in 2005, she used

CoPA Alumnus William Lü Launches Dance Film Workshop in Taiwan Designed primarily for college students and aspiring professionals, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with accomplished Taiwanese dance curators and filmmakers.

May 14, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

College of Performing Arts graduate William Lü will collaborate with talented Taiwanese filmmaker, Grace Peng, to establish a dance film workshop in Taipei, Taiwan, this summer. Chapman students have the opportunity to receive scholarships to attend this unique workshop. The duo will host a one-week workshop designed primarily for college students and aspiring professionals. The

CoPA Student and Alumni Share Career Path Stories

August 25, 2020 by Emma Trammell | Alumni

Knowing your passions and talents is one thing, but knowing how to craft a career path can be quite another! Luckily, CoPA students have access to plenty of support from their faculty as well as the CoPA Career Advisor. It can also be helpful to see examples of career paths from other students and alumni.

Chapman Dance Alumnus Hits the Road with Cher Ben Bigler ('16) enjoys success as a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor

May 15, 2019 by Jean Taber | CoPA News

Chapman dance alumnus Ben Bigler (’16) has joined Cher’s “Here We Go Again” world tour as a dancer.

Backhausdance 2014 Summer Intensives connect dancers with Chapman alumni, faculty

June 6, 2014 by Peter Westenhofer | CoPA News

Backhausdance returns to the Chapman University campus this July/August for the 2014 Summer Intensives. In addition to the annual one or two-week Advanced/Professional Program , geared toward dancers ages 16 to 24, we will offer a new four-day Pre-Professional Program geared toward younger dancers (ages 12 to 15). Once again, all programs will be housed in

Dance Alumnus to Screen Film at Asians On Film Festival

February 12, 2014 by Heather | CoPA News

The film Still , directed and choreographed by William Lu ’03, will be screened at the Asians On Film Festival in North Hollywood February 14-16. It has been nominated for Best Editing and Best Short Film.

Alumna Peforms in San Diego Trolley Dances

October 15, 2012 by Heather | CoPA News

Department of Dance alumna Monica Mordaunt (’12) was part of San Diego Dance Theatre’s annual Trolley Dances, which are site-specific performances where the audience travels on a trolley to the different performance sites. Read all about this unique event, now in its 14th year, in the U-T San Diego at http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/29/guest-choreographers-help-make-trolley-dances-a/ .

Backhausdance Win Outstanding Arts Organization Award

September 17, 2012 by Heather | CoPA News

Backhausdance, the acclaimed Orange-County based modern dance company led by instructor of dance and alumna Jennifer Backhaus (’94), will receive the Arts OC “Outstanding Arts Organization” award at their annual arts awards on September 18. At the forefront of Southern California contemporary dance, this company is now in its 10th year and