Tag Archive for "chapman alumni" - College of Performing Arts

Recent CoPA Graduate Ariya Selvakumar Assists with Center Theatre Group’s Production of American Idiot Ariya Selvakumar's experiences and education at Chapman University have prepared her for diverse career opportunities, from projection design to performance.

November 3, 2025 by Jessie Levasheff | CoPA News

Ariya Selvakumar (BA Theatre, Psychology minor), a Chapman University College of Performing Arts (CoPA) graduate in the class of 2024, continues to display Chapman’s values as she pursues her passions in the performing arts. Recently, Ariya had the opportunity to apprentice and assist with the projection design for Center Theatre Group’s production of Green Day’s

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

Career Q&A with Kalena Bovell ’09 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner on Conducting, Poetry, and Representation

October 7, 2020 by Emma Trammell | Alumni

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for the College of Performing Arts is Kalena Bovell, who graduated from Chapman University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music (Pre-Certification, Music Education). Since graduating from Chapman, Kalena has completed her graduate studies at The Hartt School and has made a name for herself as an accomplished conductor

Alumna to Alumna CoPA mentorship & collaboration persist after graduation

June 11, 2020 by Monica Furman | CoPA News

Due to our small class sizes, conservatory-style training, and the personalized education for which Chapman University, CoPA students develop a strong sense of community that continues to serve them well after graduation. Recently, Monica Furman (BFA Theatre Performance ’17) interviewed Leah McKendrick (BFA Theatre Performance ’08) and McKendrick’s producing partner Mariah Owen about their newest

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.

Alumni Make Connections in New Orleans

February 10, 2014 by Heather | CoPA News

Erin Shaw ’08 recently relocated to New Orleans and joined another Chapman alumna who runs a children’s music school! Carla Waterfield née Ogden ’92 teaches the Musik Garten curriculum, and Erin found her by chance while searching on Google. They have since teamed up and Erin is now an apprentice teacher this semester, teaching the 1-4 year olds starting

Don’t Miss Tenor Bruce Sledge on February 8

January 29, 2014 by Heather | CoPA News

Bruce Sledge ’94, one of today’s most in-demand tenori di grazia, will be performing works by Bellini, Duparc, Rachmaninov, Strauss and Puccini in Salmon Recital Hall at 7:30pm on February 8, accompanied by Cheryl Fielding on piano. Anne Midgette of the New York Times says “This tenor is hot. The basic sound was first

Alumnus Update: Daniel Curran

January 2, 2014 by Heather | CoPA News

Daniel Curran ’08 is currently rehearsing for Gotham Chamber Opera’s La Descente d’Orphée Aux Enfers in New York, singing the role of Orphée. He is also under contract with Pittsburgh Opera as their tenor resident artist and recently performed in both Aida and The Magic Flute . He made his debut with four other companies as well this year, including Carousel with the