2008 Backhausdance Summer Intensive: July 28-Aug 8

Backhausdance is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Backhausdance Summer Intensive! This year’s students will have the opportunity to share the stage with the company in their 2 nd annual concert: “Backhausdance Deconstructed”. The Backhausdance Summer Intensive will be held at Chapman University in Orange, CA.

This summer program is designed for dancers who wish to improve their technique while experiencing a variety of new and exciting movement styles. It is geared towards dancers 16 and older with a strong dance foundation.

Backhausdance Summer Intensive is offered in 2 week sessions, or single-day passes. Students are encouraged to take both weeks. Dancers attending both weeks will have the opportunity to perform with the company in their summer concert: “Backhausdance Deconstructed”

Daily classes will be offered in the following techniques:

All dancers will be offered 4 classes and rehearsal session daily, beginning at 9:30am and concluding at 4:30pm. All classes will be instructed by Backhausdance Company Members and special Guest Faculty. Classes and instructors vary between Weeks 1 & 2.

Special Master Classes include:

SAMPLE SCHEDULE:
9:30-10:30       Percussion for Dancers with Erik Leckrone
10:30-12:00     Modern with Jennifer Backhaus and company
12:00-1:00       Lunch 
1:00-2:30         Contemporary Ballet with Dale Merrill
2:30-3:30         Backhausdance Repertory
3:30-4:30         Deconstructed Rehearsal

DECONSTRUCTED:
Deconstructed is Backhausdance's annual summer concert.  Back by popular demand, Backhausdance will perform selected repertory in an intimate and informative concert hosted by Jennifer Backhaus.  Students participating in both weeks of the Summer Intensive will perform a new work choreographed by Jennifer Backhaus for this exciting show!  

Backhausdance: Deconstructed
Waltmar Theatre, Chapman University
August 8         8PM
August 9         2PM

HOUSING:
Housing is optional for students that are attending BOTH weeks of the Summer Intensive.  The Chapman University dorms are located within walking distance of the dance center.  Students will share a double room with a fellow Backhausdance Summer Intensive student.  A Backhausdance Resident Advisor will also be housed on the same floor during their stay.

Housing for 2 weeks:              $850

Students will be housed in the Chapman University dorms from July 28 through August 8.  Meals are included in this fee and will be served in the Chapman University Cafeteria.  This fee does NOT include bedding or other in-room amenities.  Students must bring their own bedding (Twin extra long) and towels.  Each dorm has a bathroom, shower, and air conditioning.  

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Faculty

Jennifer Backhaus: Modern Technique, Backhausdance Repertory

Jennifer Backhaus received a B.F.A in Dance from Chapman University 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 that were created for her and received praise from the LA Times and Dance Magazine. Jennifer is Artistic Director or Backhausdance, a contemporary dance company, which has made a sizeable impact on the Orange County dance scene since its inception in 2003. 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. Ms. Backhaus has received three consecutive awards from the Choreography Under the Stars Festival in Palm Desert, and most recently, Ms. Backhaus received a Lester Horton Award for Choreography- Short Form, from the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles. Jennifer is currently on the dance faculty at Chapman University and Saint Joseph Ballet. She is a certified Pilates instructor and teaches modern dance technique and dance conditioning.

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Jenn Bonfil: Pilates

Jenn Bassage Bonfil of Washington is a mover at heart. She started dancing at the age of five, began soccer shortly after, and has always enjoyed a life of physical activities. Jenn moved to Southern California to attend Chapman University where her intensive dance and Pilates training, along with her strong academic studies earned her a BFA in Dance Performance. As an undergraduate, Jenn studied modern, ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, tap and flamenco. Also at Chapman, Jenn earned various awards for outstanding performances and contributions to the Theatre & Dance Department. Her professional credits include Orange County Regional Ballet as a corp and soloist dancer, Long Beach Breakers, and several industrial projects and videos. She is also a member of Backhausdance. Jenn is a graduate of Body Arts and Science International where she earned her teaching certification for Pilates. This training equipped her with further knowledge of kinesiology, movement analysis, and a more detailed look at how the body works. She uses this to enhance her skills as an accomplished ballet teacher and has found her nitch in teaching ballet to young adults and children. Jenn also finds much fulfillment in Pilates where she is able to help students overcome injury and meet fitness goals. For three years she was on the faculty at Chapman University teaching Pilates, and currently teaches this specialized method at Aline Conditioning and BCDC. Jenn is excited to be teaching ballet, tap/jazz combos, and Pilates at BCDC.

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Andrea Brache: Contemporary Ballet Technique

Andrea Brache received her early ballet training from California Dance Theater in Agoura Hills, working with Patrick Frantz, formerly of the Paris Opera Ballet, and Artistic Director Kim Maselli. She was able to attend several intensive summer programs and perform numerous classical and contemporary ballets, including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

While attending Chapman University on scholarship, Andrea earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.A. in Advertising. During her time at Chapman, she received many awards and had several opportunities to perform at the notable Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In 2003, Andrea became a founding member of Backhausdance, a contemporary dance company, in Orange, CA.

Andrea began teaching advanced ballet, pointe and contemporary dance nearly a decade ago and continues teaching at several dance studios in Orange County, including Backhaus Contemporary Dance Center. She is excited to help build strong dancers who develop a love for dance, as well as a great foundation in technique for all dance forms.

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Erik Leckrone: Percussion for Dancers

Erik Leckrone, percussionist, has performed with a wide variety of ensembles, and projects throughout the United States including the Sinfonietta Orchestra of Chicago, the Long Beach Symphony, the Elgin Symphony, the Torrance Symphony, Disney records “A World of Happiness” with artists Isaac Hayes, Lisa Loeb, and Deborah Harry, “A Lou Rawls Christmas”, and the soundtrack for the movie “The Grudge”. He has performed for national tours with the California Theatre Company, the Madison Repertory Theatre Company, and the Northern-Light Theatre Company of Chicago, IL. Originally from Middleton, WI, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University and his Masters degree in Percussion Performance from California State University, Long Beach. As an educator, Erik has been involved for several years with “Meet the Musicians”, a performance outreach program for elementary schools throughout Orange County. Along with freelancing in the Los Angeles area, Erik is currently percussion instructor at Fullerton College and staff accompanist for the dance programs at Chapman Univ. and the Univ. of California, at Irvine.

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William Lu: Modern Technique, Phrasework

William Lu is on faculty for West Coast Dance Academy under the direction of Gillian Finley, former Artistic Director of the Ballet Pacifica Academy. He has also served as guest faculty and a featured artist for the McCallum Theatre, Golden State Ballet Summer Intensive, Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Teen Dance Company of San Jose, Northern California Dance Conservatory and numerous other regional schools and conventions. In 2002, he received national recognition for his choreographic work Mon Prison Ma Chambre, for which he received the Engman Award at Pam Desert's notable Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival. His works have been presented at prominent venues, such as the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and McCallum Theatre. Lu's unconventional ways of teaching and discipline have made him one of the most sought after dance educators in South Orange County. His technique and movement styles derive from his eclectic background of training and experience. His method emphasizes a balance of control, articulation, strength, and freedom in movement. Lu is currently a member of Backhausdance, and has been performing with the company since its inception in 2003.

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Bradley Michaud: Modern Technique

Bradley Michaud is artistic director of METHOD and is a Los Angeles based choreographer, dance artist and educator. He graduated in 2001 from UCLA where he studied with William Forsythe of Ballet Frankfurt, Nina Martin of Lower Left, Matthew Nash, Kim Epifano, David Rousseve, Rebecca Lazier, Dan Froot and Michelle Bloom. Bradley was previously a member of Rock Theatre for six years and toured with them nationally and internationally. Bradley is trained in modern, ballet, and Irish dance Bradley joined the Los Angeles based dance company "Tongue" in 2001 under the artistic direction of Stephanie Gilliland, and was a dancer, staff member, and the company’s grant writer for three seasons. In 2004 Bradley won a Lester Horton award along with the Tongue company members for Outstanding Performance. In 2005 Bradley founded METHOD to explore his own artistic sensibility. His first work, the duet “after the fracture” has been nominated for a 2005 Lester Horton award for Outstanding Performance. Bradley had taught at UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, and is on the faculty of FocusFish Studios in Hollywood. He is emerging-artist-in residence with Ledges and Bones Dance Project.

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Ashley Rickman: Cross Training for Dancers

Ashley Rickman became a certified personal trainer in September 2005 after she graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She initially became certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and began working at 24 Hour Fitness in Anaheim. Throughout the next year, she received training certifications by the National Council on Strength and Fitness and the National Federation of Professional Trainers. She has worked with people of all ages and capabilities, teaching her clients the basics of core training, cardiovascular health, resistance training progressions, diet planning and flexibility as each relates to her clients goals.  As a dancer, she has realized the importance of cross-training as a means of preventing injury and keeping her body strong and balanced.

Amanda White: Contemporary Jazz

Amanda Kay White received her BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University as well as her BA in Communications Advertising. There she received such honors as Outstanding in Choreographer 2002, Outstanding Contribution to Dance 2002, and her work was performed at the American College Dance Festival 2003. She has worked with such choreographer as Jennifer Backhaus, Mia Michels, Joe Lanteri, Nancy Dickson Lewis, Cyrus Parker- Jeanette, and Christine Baltes. She is currently a member of Backhausdance, director of the dance team program at Mission Viejo Dance and Performing Arts Center, and a part-time faculty member at Chapman University.

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Tuition

Enroll by May 1 st 2007 and receive a $50 discount off Tuition.

Tuition may be paid for via Paypal

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Scholarship Audition

TBA

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