Dance

Megan Joy Chapman | Dance Teacher

I began ballet lessons in 1978 at the Medfield School of Ballet when I was six-years-old. I was blessed to have a dance teacher who instilled in me the value of sound technique. She also introduced me to the stage where I had opportunities to perform leading roles in full ballet productions like The Nutcracker, The Little Match Girl, and The Fairy Doll, to name a few. We never did “recitals.” They were always “performances.” Her professionalism was a gift and something I always admired.

In 1987, after attending Boston Ballet’s Summer Intensive, I was given my first teaching opportunity while a student at The Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Only fifteen-years-old, an introvert and awkwardly shy at the time, teaching was somehow a good fit. I never had the gift-of-the-gab but when I taught, I found my voice. Choreography flowed naturally and became another creative outlet for me.

Although I had been steadily training with hopes to become a professional ballerina one day, an unfortunate injury, illness, and everything in between derailed my plans. Although it was hard to accept at first, I eventually realized that teaching was a gift that God had given me. It took several years for me to fully understand this, but when I accepted teaching as a gift and not a punishment, I was able to fully embrace it. I have truly grown to love teaching and the rewards that come with it.

As an artist, I’ve always loved details so Ballet Technique is my favorite dance discipline to teach. I love explaining proper execution of a movement, with all its nooks and crannies, and then watching my students apply and grow. Classical Ballet is the foundation for most dance styles so I’m grateful that my roots were grounded in this philosophy. In addition to Ballet, I also teach Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Pilates Mat, and Worship. I’m experienced teaching ages three through professional, where I’ve directed, choreographed, and mentored. Feel free to contact me with any inquiries. To read more about my dance training history and bio, please check out my About Page.

If you are interested in Creative Arts, consider connecting with me via my blog.

Worship Dance

For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

–Acts 17:28

After relocating to Hawaii in 1998, a new Christian, I was introduced to dance as a vehicle for praise, worship, and intercession. I loved the idea of intentionally partnering with Holy Spirit while dancing or choreographing, and communicating with Him through movement. Dancing for Praise and Worship became a new prayer language for me.

Worship Dance has been extremely beneficial, bringing deep healing and freedom from strongholds I’d been carrying for most of my life. Even though I had been encouraged as a young dancer and artist, I still struggled with demands I had put on myself to be perfect. Before becoming a Christian at twenty-two, I had no sense of joy or peace in my life or artistry. I found myself constantly comparing myself to others, endlessly striving for acceptance and purpose by worldly means, but hit dead ends and disappointments every time. A couple years after my salvation encounter, I realized that I was not created to be perfect. I was created to be a worshiper. When I chose to use creative expression as a form of worship to honor God, joy and fulfillment settled in and my heart for ministry took flight.

Sometimes imperfections and failures can become opportunities to discover our greatest strengths and eternal joys. Although Technique has always been a passion and always will be, worship gave me permission to move more organically and color outside the lines. It has helped me release perfections’ grip. I learned to take a more childlike approach to my artistry and accept that imperfections are part of the growing process. Worship has also been an asset to my choreography, challenging me to step out of the box and try new things.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about Worship Dance. To read more about my dance training history and bio, please check out my About Page.

If you are interested in Creative Arts Worship, please consider connecting via my blog.

Continued education and credits include:

• 2001 Original choreography, costumes, and set design for WHDT’s Peter and the Wolf Ballet
•  2005 Pilates Mat Certification Pilates of Hawaii
•  2007 Group Fitness Certification American Council on Exercise
•  2016 Performer at Gibney Dance Center in NYC with Saving Grace Dance Ensemble in Benjamin Briones Round Table with choreography by Steve Rooks.
• 2017 Director for WHDT’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Ballet
• 2021 Attended Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teachers Workshop, led by Darla Hoover.
• 2022 Volunteer Project Dance Kona, Hawaii Anniversary Event, Refuel Leadership Retreat and choreography contributor.

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