Jennifer Backhaus

Jennifer Backhaus began her career as a gymnast, leading to an early introduction to dance.  Continuing her education at Chapman University, she began studying modern dance, igniting a passion that continues to this day. She received a BFA in Dance from Chapman, where she graduated cum laude and received multiple awards for choreography. Following graduation, Jennifer was invited to join Donna Sternberg and Dancers, with whom she performed numerous roles created for her and received praise from the LA Times and Dance Magazine.  During this time, Jennifer also performed as a guest artist with Orange County Regional Ballet and Project 21.

As a choreographer, Jennifer's works have been commissioned and produced by a number of dance organizations, including Orange County Regional Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet, Chapman University, Mount San Antonio College, Santa Ana College, Impact Dance Theater, TDC of the Bay Area, and most recently, Brigham Young University. Many of Jennifer's works have been honored by the Regional Dance America organization and her piece Disintegration was selected for both regional and national performances with the American College Dance Festival, which included a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In 2005 she was awarded Best Choreography for her piece Sitting on January from LA's Dance Resource Center Lester Horton Awards.

Jennifer is currently on the dance faculty at Chapman University and the Backhaus Contemporary Dance Center. She is a certified Pilates instructor and teaches modern dance technique and dance conditioning. She is also a teaching artist with the McCallum Theatre Institute's Aesthetic Education Program, where she shares her love for dance and choreography with local students.