Jessica Torres
Lecturer
College of Performing Arts; Department of Dance
Office Location: Sandi Simon Center for Dance
Email: jessicatorres@chapman.edu
Biography
Jessica (Harper) Torres is an educator, choreographer, dancer, director, film maker,
actor, and humorist. She received her MFA in Dance from UCI, her MaED at UOP, her
BA at LMU, and her yoga certification under Srivatsa Ramaswami. Jess is a lecturer
at Chapman University and Long Beach City College, and a senior Lecturer at Loyola
Marymount University. She is the Ballet co-director at the School of Dance and Music,
and directs her contemporary company, JESS HARPER & DANCERS. Jess has taught and choreographed
at Chapman, CSULA, UCI,AMDA, LMU, LBCC, ACDA, and many festivals. Her company has
performed all throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Utah. Jess danced and choreographed
professionally for KAIROS, METHOD, TONGUE, MULTIPLEX, and EARTH WIND & FIRE, to name
a few. Mrs. Torres teaches jazz, modern, ballet, yoga, hip hop, choreography, musical
theatre, and tap. Jess received Lester Horton Awards for Outstanding Performance in
a Company (METHOD & TONGUE), and has been nominated for Best Female Artist while dancing
with METHOD. She feels blessed to live creatively, always with a sense of humor.