Dance - Megan Chapman

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. 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, Contemporary, Pilates Mat, and Worship. I’m experienced teaching ages three through professional, where I direct, choreograph, coach, and mentor. Feel free to contact me with any inquiries. To read more about my dance training history and bio, please click 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.

Although technique is one of my greatest passions, worship dance 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 outside the box and try new things.

Feel free to contact me with any worship dance inquiries. 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 additional credits:

1995 Professional gigs began as a performing artist and later as a choreographer.
2001 Original choreography, costumes, and set design for WHDT’s Peter and the Wolf Ballet
2003 Pilates Mat Certification Pilates of Hawaii
2005 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
2020 Coach and Choreography for Youth American Grand Prix
2021 Attended Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teachers Workshop, led by Darla Hoover.
2022 Choreography Contributor and Performer at Project Dance Kona, Hawaii Anniversary Event and participant of Refuel Leadership Retreat.
2024 ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
To read full bio, please go to my About Page.