»Summer Dance Intensives

Chapman’s summer dance intensives offer high school students professional training and mentorship with renowned faculty and guest artists in a collegiate setting at our new, state-of-the-art dance facility. 

Join us this summer for one or both of these incredible opportunities to strengthen your artistry and technical skills while exploring the possibilities of Chapman Dance!

• Backhausedance Summer Intensive is July 7-24, 2026
• Jacob's Pillow Intensive is July 31-August 2, 2026

You can hear about both programs from a current student in this quick video, and then find more details and links to register below.

Backhausdance Summer Intensive

• July 7-24, 2026

Backhausdance is Orange County’s premier, professional, contemporary dance company. Their dynamic dance vocabulary is presented and performed at theatres and various venues throughout Southern California and beyond.

The Backhausdance Summer Intensive  provides high-caliber training for both aspiring and experienced contemporary dancers, offering 1- to 3-week programs designed to refine technique, build artistry, and connect with industry professionals. 

Throughout the intensive, students work with the Backhausdance company members and Chapman faculty/alumni to explore their artistry, expand their technique, and learn Backhausdance repertory, culminating in a final performance with the company at the end of the intensive.

The intensive includes:

• Professional training from Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus, Backhausdance company members, and a diverse roster of esteemed educators and choreographers.
• Daily technique classes in a variety of styles including contemporary, modern, ballet, improvisation, composition, and more!
• Personalized feedback and mentorship opportunities.
• An opportunity to perform onstage with Backhausdance company members.
• Opportunities for high school participants to tour Chapman’s Facilities with university staff and learn about Chapman’s audition process and dance program through lunchtime discussions with Chapman Students, Alumni, and faculty.
• Scholarship opportunities.
• Chaperoned overnight housing options and evening activities with participants and company members.

Visit the Backhausdance Summer Intensive webpage for program details, housing options and how to register!

 

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Jacob’s Pillow Dance 360 Workshops

• July 31-August 2, 2026

Chapman partners with The School at Jacob’s Pillow, known as “the dance center of the nation,” to host Jacob’s Pillow 360 Intensives.

Students are fully immersed in the world of Jacob’s Pillow, taking classes with renowned Pillow and Chapman faculty, receiving mentorship on the college dance audition process, and exploring the archives of the Pillow—home to America’s longest-running dance festival and hailed as “one of America’s most precious cultural assets” (Mikhail Baryshnikov).

Through these workshops, you will:

• Attend master classes led by renowned Jacob’s Pillow artists and top Chapman dance faculty.
• Refine your technique across multiple genres while advancing choreography and improvisation skills.
• Take workshops on injury prevention and wellness with Chapman’s dance science expert.
• Engage in dialogue sessions with industry professionals to gain insights, ask questions and hear firsthand Pillow experiences.
• Connect with the Pillow’s network of established artists.
• Learn about Chapman’s audition and application process from our admissions team.
• Experience a college mock audition and receive mentorship from top faculty on best practices for success.
• Explore the Jacob’s Pillow archives, a living library of legendary dance companies that have performed at this iconic festival since 1933!

Visit the Jacob’s Pillow 360 webpagefor more details on the workshop, dates and how to register. For housing options, please contact Leah Brandon at lbrandon@jacobspillow.org.