» Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance

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Train to become a professional dancer and/or choreographer in our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance program! You'll enjoy all the benefits of a liberal arts university while pursuing balanced training in multiple techniques, as well as the creative process of choreography and the fundamentals of dance theory, history, science and pedagogy.

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.

Admission and Tours

Admission to the Department is very competitive to support personalized education and ample opportunities for students. You can find more details on our page about applying to the Dance program or check out the curriculum on our catalog page.

Want to learn more about Chapman? We are always available for tours and information sessions. We’d love to meet you!

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Earning a BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman prepares you for a successful career as a dancer and/or choreographer. In the program you’ll:

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, science, and pedagogy
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 BFA in Dance Performance 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 (expertise: jazz, technology for live performance)
Robin Kish (expertise: dance kinesiology, dance medicine, injury prevention)
Liz Maxwell (expertise: somatic disciplines, modern, choreography, dance history)
Wilson Mendieta (expertise: choreography, musical theatre, arts management)
Julianne O'Brien Pedersen (expertise: dance pedagogy, choreography, Laban/Bartenieff movement analysis)
Dwight Rhoden, founding artistic director/resident choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet Co., internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer
Ido Tadmor, Chapman Presidential Fellow, winner of highly respected Landau Prize in Israel for lifetime achievement, Israel Ambassador for Dance

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 BFA in Dance Performance program gives you plenty of opportunities to perform throughout the year 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.