PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The #BDAmbassador Program is designed to recognize passionate, talented and artistically-driven dancers who actively support and partner with BD in its mission to expose and educate the community about the relevance and vitality of concert dance. Harnessing the power of social media and word-of-mouth, BD and its Ambassadors will work together to build excitement, spread the word and help raise awareness of upcoming Backhausdance performances and events.
ROLE OF A #bdAMBASSADOR
A #BDAmbassador is dedicated and passionate about BD and wants to transform that dedication into building awareness about Backhausdance in order to further expand and deepen its reach and impact. Ambassadors will help to:
- Share Backhausdance with family and friends.
- Actively promote and share upcoming BD performances, events and intensives with their social circles.
- Pass along BD-related stories on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Encourage people to participate in spreading the word to their networks.
- Share their personal #BDSI2016 stories and experiences on social networks.
BENEFITS & REWARDS
We value our Ambassadors! In appreciation for all of their hard work, we offer the following benefits and rewards:
- Full tuition scholarship to the Backhausdance Summer Intensives at Chapman University.
- Recognition on the #BDAmbassador webpage and #BDSI2016 culmination performance program.
- A bundle of BD merchandise including items from our newly-designed inventory before it goes on sale to the public.
- Complimentary participation in Summer Intensive evening activities.
- Two complimentary tickets to the Summer Intensive culmination performance(s).
- Early access to BD updates and the opportunity to weigh in on new developments.
2018 AMBASSADORS
Chandler D.
Simi Valley, CA
Favorite Color: Yellow
Pre-Performance Jam: Anything by Rex Orange County
Hobby Outside of Dance: Eating
My name is Chandler Davids and I am attending California State University, Fullerton pursuing a major in dance and minor a business. I started training and competing with Dance Creations at the age of 6. I am very fortunate to have grown up in such an artistic and supportive studio. Over the years, Dance Creations has taught the importance of individuality and teamwork. Now that I am attending school for dance, I have been able to continue exploring movement, finding myself as a choreographer, and a dancer. I hope to someday join a professional dance company to perform and travel around the world. I have participated in Hubbard Street Dance's Summer Intensive one summer and the Backhausdance Summer Intensive for many years. Each year I have attended the BD Intensive, I leave feeling inspired and motivated to keep pushing myself as a dancer. Backhausdance has played a major role in my life by helping me grow into the dancer I am today. I can't thank BD enough for what they have taught me and I'm excited for this years Backhausdance Summer Intensive!
Shelby P.
Orange County, CA
Favorite Color: Pink
Pre-Performance Jam: Anything by Son Lux
Hobby Outside of Dance: Watching dance videos
My name is Shelby Patterson and I am 18 years old. I just recently graduated from the Orange County School of the Arts where I was Co-Valedictorian of the Commercial Dance Conservatory. I also dance with Westside Dance Project, a concert dance based company, learning from Jermaine Spivey, Bret Easterling and Spenser Theberge, all under the direction of Jessie Riley. With the training and knowledge I've received from OCSA and Westside I have decided to move to LA and pursue my professional dance career full time. I aspire to become a successful dancer in many genres and to continue sharing my passion for dance in any way I can. Backhausdance has played a major role in my dance career and I'm very grateful for all the experiences and opportunities it has opened up to me. This will be my 5th summer attending the BD intensive and I can't wait! A big thanks to Jenny and the rest of the Backhausdance Company for all that you've taught me,I'm forever thankful.
Isabela K.
Orange County, CA
Favorite Color: Blue
Pre-Performance Jam: Confessions (feat. Leland Whitty) by BadBadNotGood
Hobby Outside of Dance: Learning how to play the guitar
My name is Isabela (Bella) Kimmel and I am a freshman at the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) majoring in Dance. I am 18 years old and I have been dancing since I was 6 years old. In 2017, I graduated from the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) where I studied in the Classical and Contemporary Dance Conservatory for 6 years. I have participated in the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Summer Intensive in San Francisco and in the Backhausdance Summer Intensive for two years. In 2017, I was selected as OC Register’s Artist of the Year: Dance and 2017’s Whiz Kid by the OC Family magazine. In the future, I aspire to be in a professional modern dance company and travel around the world in hopes of sharing my passion for dance. Backhausdance has given me great opportunities that have greatly impacted my growth as a dancer. I have experienced the professionalism and creative work of the company and learned to value teamwork, humility, perseverance, hard work, and the importance of community. I have never left BD’s studio without gaining new knowledge about myself as a dancer. I'm thankful for all I have learned and to be involved with BD. I can’t wait for the 2018 Backhausdance Summer Intensive!
PREVIOUS AMBASSADORS
Darby C.
New York, NY
Darby graduates from Marymount Manhattan College this Spring with a double major in Dance (BFA) and Communication Arts (BA). A graduate of the Commercial Dance Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts, Darby moved to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a professional modern dancer. She has performed in works by Robert Battle, Doug Varone, and Sabatino Verlezza. Upon graduation, she wants to dance professionally in a modern company that travels around the world. Eventually, Darby hopes to get her masters and teach at a university. Congrats, Darby!
Shaylee Y.
Pukalani, HI
ʻO Shaylee Yamashita koʻu inoa, a noho au ma Maui, Hawaiʻi. My name is Shaylee Yamashita, and I am from Maui, Hawaiʻi. I have been training in all styles for 10 years. My most notable achievement includes being selected as a 2017 YoungArts Finalist in Dance/Choreography, allowing me to attend YoungArts Week in Miami. I one day hope to become a choreographer touring with a convention, allowing me to share my art and passion with students just as hungry as I am. The biggest inspiration for my art is my culture. Being kanaka maoli, my history and my people move me to create new art. I cannot thank Backhausdance enough for giving me this incredible opportunity. Backhausdance is truly my favorite intensive out there. I attended the BD summer intensive last year and I cannot express how it has changed me as a dancer and as person. Mahalo nui loa for everything, and I cannot wait for this summer.
BECOMe a #bdambassador
The #BDAmbassador program is currently by invitation-only.
To be considered in future selection processes, complete the form to the right.