Jenny Backhaus of Backhausdance
Jennifer Backhaus, founder and artistic director of Backhausdance, has been the energetic and creative force spearheading the development and growth of Orange County’s critically-acclaimed contemporary dance company. Backhausdance joyfully celebrated its 20 season in 22-23 and has been named the resident dance company for Temecula Presents. A long-time member of the dance faculty at Chapman University, and life-long learner, she holds a BFA in Communications and Dance from Chapman University, and received her MFA in Choreography from Hollins University.
From the inception of the company as a non-profit organization in 2003, Jennifer has been committed to choreographing and producing the fine art of contemporary concert dance with a professional company while simultaneously designing and implementing an extensive dance education and performance program for all ages and abilities. Featuring deeply human and emotional creations that are infused with a sense of humor, athleticism and theatricality, Backhausdance has received numerous awards and honors, including Outstanding Arts Organization by Arts Orange County in 2012, and recognized by Chapman University with the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award as well as Alumni of the Year in 2007 for her artistic leadership of Backhausdance. As an award-winning and in-demand choreographer, Jennifer’s works have been commissioned and produced by Brigham Young University, Chapman University, Los Angeles Ballet, McCallum Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, TDC of the Bay Area and Utah Regional Ballet, among others.
Many of Jennifer’s works have been honored by Regional Dance America, and her piece Disintegration was selected for national performances with the American College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. For Backhausdance, she has created numerous works which have received ten Lester Horton Awards from Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles for Outstanding Achievement in choreography, design, and performance. At the McCallum Theatre’s Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival, Jennifer has been the recipient of three consecutive choreography awards for her work with Backhausdance. In February 2023, Jennifer received the Outstanding Arts Advocate Award from the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County Music and Ar
Oscar Gonzalez
Oscar Gonzalez was born and raised in Orange County, California. Oscar trained at the Anaheim Ballet School, American Ballet Theater and the Joffrey Ballet School. He is formally trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater and Contemporary. Gonzalez has been a soloist with the Anaheim Ballet, Festival Ballet, and was an educational instructor for Diavolo. Oscar travels around the world to educate and inspire artists. He has successfully trained dozens of dancers that have been accepted into college dance programs. He was last seen in Aladdin “A Musical Spectacular” at the Disney resort. Oscar has performed in professional musical theater productions such as, Hello Dolly, Westside Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, A Chorus Line, Evita and has been a principal in The Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral. His ballet credits include, Cinderella, Napoli, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Nutcracker and Alice. Oscar performed for the grand opening of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Oscar was chosen by former ABT dancer Kristine Elliott to create and teach a 2-week dance intensive in Cape town, South Africa. Gonzalez was formerly the ballet director at McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts, under the direction of Broadway star and former Olympic athlete Cathy Rigby. Oscar recently received his BA in Liberal Arts Education in Performing Arts, from St. Mary’s College, and his master’s degree in Education. Oscar has taught many workshops to dance educators around the US to help spread his knowledge of dance and teaching techniques. Oscar has been teaching for over 20 years. Oscar is currently the dance director at Anaheim High School. Dance & Movement is always a highlight of the year, he gets to be inspired by wonderful dance educators.
Gabriel Avalos
Gabriel “Magk” Avalos is a Salvadoran multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles California. His journey as a teaching artist started when he joined New School Dance Academy in El Salvador in 2019. The hunger to learn and improve and the love and passion for performing arts, guided Magk to Los Angeles California where he joined Versa-Style Next Generation in 2022. He was subsequently selected to be part of Versa-Style Legacy and Versa-Style Performance, Education, Community.
Gabriel believes that Hip Hop can open minds and hearts. And by exposing and sharing about its meaningful values, artists could bring the love and knowledge that society needs to evolve, and potentially change lives by bringing more platforms to learn and promote self expression through arts and creating work opportunities in countries where there isn’t artistic education or communities.
