Alicia Benneche

Alicia Benneche is a Professor of Dance. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Alicia began her formal training in classical ballet in Southern California and went on to receive a full scholarship to the National Ballet of Canada. Throughout her academic tenure, she has continued to work as a professional dancer and choreographer. Her work includes television, film, commercial, video, national and international tours, industrials, musical theatre, opera, concert dance, contemporary and classical ballet as well as professional dance teams for the NBA and NFL. A few of her credits include: Prince, Paula Abdul, Star Search, Married with Children, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight, Hard Copy, Pepsi-Cola, Bud Light, MTV, Wayne’s World II, Blue Chips, Big Stan, NY Knicks, Boston Celtics, San Francisco 49ers, and LA Clippers.

Prior to Chapman, Alicia was the Head of Dance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where she was hired to create a new dance department from the ground up. She was responsible for writing the entire dance curriculum and degree program. During her first year, she was presented with the Achievement in Choreography Award from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for her choreography for Cabaret. She was also the Dance Director and Choreographer for the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) St. Louis Steamers Professional Dance Team.

Her recent international and national work includes: choreography for Richard Branson’s new company, Virgin Voyage’s inaugural ship the Scarlet Lady; Norwegian Cruise Line; Masters of Illusion Live at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV; YAGP Gala of the Stars at Lincoln Center in New York, NY; the Opera Die Fledermaus in Rome, Italy; Entertainment Tonight in Prague, Czech Republic; Mama Africa The Musical in Cape Town, South Africa; master classes and guest lecturer for the University of Cape Town and South Africa’s leading contemporary dance company, Jazzart Dance Theatre; and an independent dance project performed at the New Stage of the National Theatre of Prague in the Czech Republic.

At Chapman, she directs the Dance Touring Ensemble, teaches Jazz, Dance in Film, and Technology for Live Performance. Technology for Live Performance is an interdisciplinary course where dancers choreograph and perform original work created with advanced technology. Through her partnership with Cirque du Soleil, multiple opportunities have been provided for the department and university including symposiums, masterclasses in multiple disciplines, private backstage tours, original choreography from the head of casting, mentorship, and the production of a live performance in the Zumanity Theatre in Las Vegas. She is also the founding faculty advisor for the undefeated Chapman University Dance Team and the hip hop student organization, Team Shaka.