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Megan Chapman

Megan Chapman

Encountering God through Creative Arts

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Dance

Hi, I’m Megan Joy Chapman. Thank you for checking out my dance page.

Here, I hope to continue feeding the lake of creativity and connect with other dancers.

There are great rivers that feed the lake . . . and there are mere trickles . . . all that matters is feeding the lake. I don’t matter. The lake matters. You must keep feeding the lake. –Jean Rhys, Paris Review 1979

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.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Ballet

Dance Gallery

Testimonials

Working with Miss Megan has truly benefited my dancing in many ways. She has a sharp eye for technique and gives tremendous attention to the quality of the dancer‘s movement.

Rayna Morphis

Thank you for sowing into Rayna’s life and helping her along with your gifting. There were definite moments when her spirit needed refreshing. She’d come home from your class smiling…”mom she plays worship music…it was perfect for today.” It definitely ministered to her to walk into a room that was in agreement with the Spirit. On some of those days, it made every difference! Thank you. I am grateful you were a presence in our dance ohana!

Namaste Morphis

Megan is a beautiful writer, dancer, choreographer and designer! High integrity, hardworking, and dependable.

Robyn Goulette, Saving Grace Dance Ensemble Director

Ms. Megan is an inspiring and talented teacher. I always look forward to her classes and admire her creativity as a director. Getting to inhabit a role she brilliantly created like Zoolily Fancypants was so much fun as a performer, and her direction only enhanced it. I recommend her highly!

Kira Kane

It was a pleasure and a blessing to have you as Em’s dance instructor for the time we lived in Kona. You always saw the best in your students, encouraged them to put in the hard work to be successful, and stretched them to reach for goals that they may have thought were unattainable. Em grew in her skills/abilities, her poise and in her confidence. When you gave her opportunities to lead stretches/warm-ups, or assist in the younger student classes, it fueled her passion for dance and for teaching dance to younger kids. Her love for dance has much to do with all that you imparted during that time and she gleaned much from you. Thank you so much for the time, effort and passion you put into what you do. 

Cathy Shanafelt

We are so grateful for our weekly ballet class with Megan Joy Chapman! She is such a gem and brings so much joy to dance as well as reverence – reverence to the art and to our Creator. She has so patiently worked with advanced to beginners and calls forth more in all.

YWAM Kona Dance

Ms. Megan has been an important mentor and teacher to me since 2016. I had the privilege of being a Teacher’s Assistant for her Primary level classes for over three years. I fully believe that I wouldn’t be the person or dancer I am today if I hadn’t taken that first step into her ballet class. Eleven-years-old at the time, during my early years of classical training, I was captivated yet intimidated when Ms. Megan walked into the studio with elegance and poise. Watching her demonstrate was memorizing. Her class challenged me to apply myself, allowing me to quiet the noise of the world for a brief moment and focus on the essence of technique. When I began studying with Ms. Megan, she recommended that we write our corrections down in a notebook and review them before entering class. This method has helped refine my technique. One of my favorite corrections I’ve received from her was “never dance like you’re on autopilot.” That metaphor has taught me to be in the moment when I dance. Today, I still live by that quote. It has taught me that continuous movement is a progression, allowing me to grow in every aspect of life.

Alexis M. Santiago

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with Miss Megan since I was a young dancer. She is an incredible and inspiring teacher, choreographer, director, and mentor. She is technically detailed and artistically gifted. I love performing in Miss Megan’s choreography. She helps you find the beauty and the joy in the movement. I am thankful for her.

Madeline Bleich

My experience with Megan runs far and wide – it would be hard to fully detail in only a few short sentences. With a vast expertise of technical dance, I had the privilege of learning from Megan’s wealth of knowledge, as well as spiritually touched by her connection and passion for worship through dance. As a teacher and mentor, she greatly inspired me with her patient and gifted direction, her humility, and her grace, while never ceasing to push me towards confidently embracing dance as an expression of worship and art. Megan possesses a rarity and beauty, both in character and through her artistry. I am honored to know her.

Arden Stark

Dance Videos

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Ballet | Directed by Megan Joy Chapman | West Hawaii Dance Theatre
Megan Joy Chapman Choreography Clips 2022
Ballet Class with Megan Joy Chapman WHDT 2020
DIVINE TURNAROUND Megan Joy Chapman
Destiny Doors Dance Devo | Megan Joy Chapman
Psalm 1 Dance Devo by Megan Joy Chapman
Megan Joy Chapman | New Wine Choreography Clips on Mauna Kea, Hawaii

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