Dance 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

Chapman’s Student Dance Club, Team Shaka, Sweeps World of Dance Los Angeles Competition Student-run hip-hop club on campus competes for the first time and walks away 2x champions.

April 2, 2026 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

This spring, Chapman’s student-organized hip hop performance team, Team Shaka, stepped outside of the university’s performance spaces for the first time ever and brought back two 1st Place trophies and boundless Panther pride. Shaka Co-Presidents, Jimena Casasola and Nanea Yu, had a dream their freshman year to take the team to World of Dance (WOD),

Chapman Student Dancers share the stage with the Iconic Martha Graham Company Students perform Graham’s Steps in the Street for the dance company’s centennial celebration in a journey of rich history and emotion.

March 17, 2026 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Chapman Dancers have once again received a once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity through the university’s College of Performing Arts (CoPA). As part of the Marybelle Musco Contemporary Dance Series at the Musco Center for the Arts, 17 dancers graced the Musco Stage with the world-renowned Martha Graham Dance Company after months of rehearsals, diving headfirst into the

Chapman Dancers Open for Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City Eight students embraced themselves in an elite creative process with renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden, strengthened their community, and exemplified how Chapman’s training prepares artists for the world stage.

December 9, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Eight Chapman dancers received the special opportunity to open for the world-renowned Complexions Contemporary Ballet at the iconic Joyce Theater in New York City. This journey began with an audition in the spring semester, continued into rehearsals throughout the fall, and concluded with performances at both the Musco Center for the Arts and the Joyce

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 Named as a Top Performing Arts School Chapman University's College of Performing Arts ranks #3 in California and #11 nationwide

May 21, 2025 by Sydney Paik | CoPA News

According to collegefactual.com, CoPA ranks #3 among California schools for performing arts and #11 among the entire country! The individual dance, music, and theatre programs also rank highly, as reported by the same source. Theatre: #2 in CA, #11 in USA Department of Theatre students gain real-world experience from working onstage and backstage with industry

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

Chapman CoPA Student, Bella Murrieta, at 2025 CineVox Dance Film Festival Bella Murrieta represented Chapman University's College of Performing Arts and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at the CineVox Dance Film Festival 2025, where she shared her film "again&again," which was performed and produced entirely by Chapman students.

May 14, 2025 by Jessie Levasheff | CoPA News

“I’ve spent so much time working on it, why would I keep it to myself? I made this for a reason.” This sentiment inspired Bella Murrieta, a senior College of Performing Arts student studying Dance and Public Relations & Advertising, to submit her work to the CineVox Dance Film Festival in Portland,

Chapman Students Perform Alongside Doug Varone and Dancers Chapman student dancers receive an unmatched opportunity to perform alongside the esteemed Doug Varone and Dancers at the MUSCO Center for the Arts.

January 31, 2025 by Zoe Braggs | CoPA News

Last May, Chapman Dancers auditioned for the extraordinary opportunity to perform beside the world-renowned Doug Varone and Dancers. Twelve students were selected to participate in this experience, including a 3-credit Dance Repertoire course, a week-long residency with Doug Varone and his company, and a performance alongside these industry professionals at the MUSCO Center for the