»Bachelor of Arts in Dance

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There are two dance degree programs at Chapman: the Bachelor of Arts in Dance and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance.

All dance majors begin in the BA program.
In your sophomore year you can choose to apply to the BFA program or continue in the BA program.

In the BA program you’ll receive rigorous dance training in modern, jazz and ballet techniques. You’ll also build a strong liberal-arts foundation to become a well-rounded, thinking dancer with a firm grasp of both performance and theory.

You’ll be able to hone your dance skills, perform in your first year, take electives, and even double-major in an additional academic subject.

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Earning a BA in Dance from Chapman prepares you for a successful career as a dancer. In the program you’ll:

Start performing in concerts your first year
Learn choreography and choreograph full concerts and dance productions
Refine your technique and hone your creative process
Receive training in modern, jazz and ballet technique (we’re one of the few universities that offer comprehensive training in all three)
Build a thorough understanding of dance theory, history and science
Collaborate with other students and industry professionals
Take classes in:
- Acting
- Ballroom
- Choreography
- Dance history
- Dance performance
- Dance production
- Dance science
- Dance teaching methods
- Hip-hop
- Music for dancers
- Somatics
- Tap

More information about Dance classes and program requirements is available on our BA in Dance catalog page.

You’ll develop your skills alongside experienced faculty and guest artists from around the world.

Faculty

Jennifer Backhaus (expertise: modern, choreography, pilates)
Alicia Guy
Robin Kish (expertise: dance kinesiology, dance medicine, injury prevention)
Liz Maxwell
Julianne O'Brien Pedersen (expertise: dance pedagogy, choreography, Laban/Bartenieff movement analysis)
Wilson Mendieta (expertise: choreography, musical theatre, arts management)
Dwight Rhoden (Founder, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company)
Ido Tadmor

For a complete list of dance faculty, visit the faculty directory.

Guest Artists

Chapman dance students have worked with guest artists like Ido Tadmor and performers from professional companies including:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Batsheva Dance Company
Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company
Chloe Arnold & Syncopated Ladies
Cirque du Soleil^®
Diavolo
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Ido Tadmor
Micaela Taylor
Pilobolus
The cast of La La Land

Performing matters. That’s why the BA in Dance program gives you plenty of opportunities to perform throughout the year. You can perform in productions like:

Fall Faculty Dance Concert
Masters at Chapman (intimate master classes and performances with world-renowned artists)
Works in Progress concerts
Concert Intime
Spring Dance Concert
and more!

A dance degree will prepare you to succeed in:

Dance companies
University dance departments
Professional performing arts organizations
Dance studios
Public schools
Talent agencies
Community centers

In addition to performance, teaching and choreography, Dance majors have a great foundation for occupations like body work practitioners, dance movement therapists, movement analysts, physical therapists, athletic trainers and dance historians.

You’ll also be able to get free lifetime career advising from our dedicated Career Advisor for the College of Performing Arts. That means you can get career advice and preparation assistance from your advisor beginning the first day you start in the program until after you graduate.

Elijah Richardson ('18)

Dance alumnus

Recently named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch," Elijah Richardson is making a name for himself in the Chicago dance world and beyond.

Check out Elijah's story

A new home for dance at Chapman

Our new state-of-the-art Sandi Simon Center for Dance includes:

Five dance studios, including a performance studio
A dedicated health clinic
Student lounge
Classrooms, rehearsal studios and all the other facilities a top dance program needs and deserves.

Tour the Department of Dance

Register for an in-person or virtual tour of the Department of Dance. The 45-minute tour includes a look at our brand new Sandi Simon Center for Dance, including dance studios, classrooms and performance spaces. Learn more and register below.

Ido Tadmor

Presidential Fellow

World-renowned dancer Ido Tadmor doesn't just teach classes at Chapman. He also accompanied Dance students on a 10-day summer travel course to his native Israel.

Learn more about Ido Tadmor’s trip