Jennifer Bassage Bonfil ’02

Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, originally from Washington state, is a Southern California-based modern dancer and dance educator. Having been set up for success at Chapman University, where she earned her BFA in dance performance under the mentorship of Cyrus Parker-Jeannette and Nancy Dickson-Lewis, Jenn has enjoyed a fulfilling career both on and off the stage. Jenn danced with Orange County’s critically acclaimed Backhausdance as a founding company member for 13 years. While with Backhausdance, Jenn served as the Educational Outreach Director, collaborating with Artistic Director Jenny Backhaus to write curricula incorporating high-caliber art and arts education into public schools.

As a lifelong learner, Jenn earned her comprehensive Pilates certification at Body Arts and Science International in 2003 and an Arts Management & Dance Training certificate from the José Limón Dance Foundation in New York City in 2011. She then went on to complete her MA in dance education through the University of Northern Colorado in 2016.

Driven by her passion for dance education, Jenn has taught at West Coast Conservatory of Ballet, Chapman University, California State University, Long Beach, and Santa Ana College. In 2006 she joined the faculty at The Wooden Floor, a creative youth development organization that empowers low-income youth through dance and access to higher education. Jenn has served as the Dance Education & Curriculum Specialist at The Wooden Floor since 2017. In her 17th year with the organization, Jenn’s passion for the mission continues to be evident in her mentorship of the students she inspires each day, and she is grateful for the opportunity to propel students toward success through the power of dance education. Jenn looks forward to visiting Chapman’s “Dance Education and Outreach” class each year to talk about her work and share the mission of The Wooden Floor with the next generation of dance educators.