The Chapman University College of Performing Arts is working in collaboration with the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) to administer a one-of-a-kind survey that explores the lives of arts alumni nationwide. This fall, all performing arts graduates of Chapman University will receive an email invitation to participate in the SNAAP online survey. By verifying
Internationally acclaimed choreographer, teacher and dancer Mark Haim will be setting his piece “Setting and Clearings” on our dance majors for the Fall Dance Concert November 28-December 1, 2012. Mr. Haim has created new works for many dance companies, including the Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet Frankfurt, the Joffrey II Dancers and Ballet Pacifica. He has
Robin Kish, assistant professor of dance, co-chaired the program committee this summer for the 30th anniversary of the “Medical Problems of Performing Artists” symposium in Snowmass, Colorado. This international symposium had a record number of attendees, with presenters from all over the world. Honorees for this year included Jacques d’Amboise (a dancer with
The Chapman University Tap Ensemble (CUTE) and adjunct instructor of dance Brandee Lara took part in the week-long 10th Annual LA Tap Fest, held at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles August 6-11. CUTE was invited to perform in the 10th Anniversary All-Star LA Tap Fest Concert, starring Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe
Dale A. Merrill, Dean of the College of Performing Arts, was invited to serve as a guest instructor at a summer dance workshop for young dancers in Great Falls, Montana. This program attracted students from all over the state and featured other guest artists Cheryl Johnson of SUNY Brockport and Jay Goodlett, formerly of the
The Department of Dance will present their annual Spring Dance Concert, directed by Jennifer Backhaus, May 9-12 in the Waltmar Theatre. The concert will feature 11 fully-produced works of choreography by dance majors. The choreographers have been exploring a variety of themes during a semester-long rehearsal process. Dances investigating competition, isolation, conspiracy, conformity and self-image
Dance alumna Elke Calvert (’11) won the Division II Grand Prize Award at the Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival with her original choreography, “Framed”, working with pre-professional dancers, at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. The Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival is dedicated to the advancement of dance as an art form,
The Department of Dance is presenting its annual Fall Dance Concert December 7-10, 2011, featuring the work of legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham. The department is privileged to be a part of an exclusive list of schools performing his work as part of the Cunningham Legacy Tour in the wake of his passing in 2009, including The Juilliard
As the demands on dancers’ bodies increase with new choreographic and technical challenges, it becomes increasingly important that dancers are trained correctly and receive medical care with an understanding of what a human body can do. A dancer complaining of back pain has different issues than a businessman or a truck driver because