Backhausdance

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Backhausdance

Dynamic and entertaining, Southern California’s Backhausdance brings world-class contemporary dance

Recognized by Joyce SoHo in New York as one of seven emerging dance companies to watch, Backhausdance is a powerful and entertaining voice in the dance world. The company’s repertory offers an eclectic and dynamic vocabulary with a wonderful sense of fluidity and strength. Featuring a diverse body of work that is innovative and artistic, Orange County’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance comp

any is the recipient of numerous awards for achievements in choreography, design and performance, helping propel them to the forefront of Southern California contemporary dance. The repertory includes powerful, athletic dances; emotionally charged dramatic pieces; and whimsical, humorous glimpses at the human experience. As a member of the Arts Teach artist roster and part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Education and Community Programs, Backhausdance serves thousands of public and private school children throughout Orange and San Bernardino Counties each year. The company is also part of the Lincoln Center Aesthetic Education Program through McCallum Theatre Institute. A life-changing experience for pre-professional and professional dancers, the company hosts an annual Summer Intensive at Chapman University. Backhausdance is dedicated to making this powerful program accessible to the dance community and provides scholarships for nearly half of the more than 125 participants.

05/28/2026

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Santiago Villarreal
Contemporary, Improvisation, Composition, Dance Church

Santiago Villarreal, born in Monterrey, Mexico, began dancing at 16 and earned his BFA from Chapman University in 2019. He has worked with notable choreographers and companies such as NW Dance Project, Ate9, Boca Tuya, The TL Collective, Yin Yue, JJTC, Backhausdance and Mike Tyus. His commercial credits include projects with artists like Kali Uchis, Taeyang, Dana, along with national campaigns for brands including Apple and OnStar. Driven by curiosity and physical exploration, he continues to develop his artistry while balancing roles as a dancer, choreographer, and educator.

Read more about Santiago here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

05/27/2026

Improvisation and Composition classes provide a chance to explore new ways of moving, develop confidence in artistic decision-making, and collaborate with others in the creative process. Find out more about our Summer Intensive programs at Chapman University!

[BACKHAUSDANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE at CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY] July 7 - 24, 2026

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05/26/2026

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Nadav Gal
Contemporary, Improvisation

Nadav Gal is a choreographer, movement coach, and rehearsal director working with dancers and performers across creation and performance processes. His work focuses on clarity, physical awareness, and helping performers make authentic choices, challenging them physically while supporting the work. He began his career as a dancer with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in 2009, and later joined Eyal Dadon Dance Company, performing and touring internationally for several seasons. His teaching approach encourages performers to trust their instincts, take ownership of their choices, and discover a more personal and honest way of moving.

Read more about Nadav here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

05/21/2026

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Matthew Harvey
Ballet

Matthew Harvey is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer from Allentown, PA. Matthew began his professional performance career as a trainee with Charlotte Ballet. In 2007, he joined Hernan Justo’s Ballet Greenville (formerly Carolina Ballet Theatre) as a principal dancer and choreographer. He has performed as a guest artist with companies, schools, and universities across the north and southeast regions of the United States, and in various cities in Uruguay. In 2017, Matthew became an instructor of dance at Colorado State University teaching ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Matthew has been choreographing works since 2006, blending elements of concert and social dance forms to create dynamic music visualizations.

Read more about Matthew here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

05/20/2026

Contemporary and Modern classes provide the opportunity for participants to explore concepts such as release, fall and recovery, floorwork, weight shifts, and so much more! Find out more about our Summer Intensive programs at Chapman University!

[BACKHAUSDANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE at CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY] July 7 - 24, 2026

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05/19/2026

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Madeline Jazz Harvey
Ballet

Madeline Jazz Harvey is a dance educator, choreographer, and performer specializing in classical and contemporary ballet. In 2010, Madeline joined Carolina Ballet Theatre (now Ballet Greenville) where she served as a principal dancer, resident choreographer, and outreach coordinator for five full-time seasons. She also performed as a guest artist with companies including Repertory Dance Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, Olney Ballet Theatre, and Colton Ballet Company of Augusta. Madeline performed with Judy Bejarano’s IMPACT Dance Company from 2018-2025.

Read more about Madeline here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

05/18/2026

BDSI participants are challenged to build strength, refine technique, and investigate various approaches to movement in daily technique classes such as ballet, modern, contemporary, Pilates, yoga, and more.

[BACKHAUSDANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE at CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY] July 7 - 24, 2026

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05/14/2026

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Jess Torres
Yoga, Jazz, Social Dance

Jessica Torres is a multifaceted artist and educator—a versatile choreographer, seasoned dancer, experienced director, occasional actor, and daily humorist. She holds an MFA in Dance from UC Irvine, an MA in Education from the University of Phoenix, and a BA from Loyola Marymount University. She currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at Chapman University, Golden West College, and Long Beach City College, and is a master teacher at the School of Dance and Music. Jess is passionate about bridging the gap between student and professional experiences, empowering young artists to find their voice and autonomy. Above all, she values work that blends artistic rigor with human connection.

Read more about Jess here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

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05/13/2026

Partnering classes will focus on the fundamentals of building trust, strength and support. We will explore the push and pull of a partnership and understand how to move together as one unit.

[BACKHAUSDANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE at CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY] July 7 - 24, 2026

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Address

P. O. Box 5890
Orange, CA
92863

Website

http://backhausdance.org/donate

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