Amy Chavasse

Amy Chavasse is a Professor of Dance at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (SMTD), located on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe peoples. She joined the faculty in 2006 and is the artistic director of ChavasseDance&Performance. Her work spans choreography, performance, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing international exchange and social issues in dance.

Education:

• BFA, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• MFA, University of Washington

Research & Creative Work: Chavasse focuses on contemporary dance techniques, improvisation, and cross-cultural collaborations. Recent projects include afterlife plunder (with I Broke the Vase) and Dancers in Flames, alongside international performances in South Korea, China, Argentina, and Costa Rica. She emphasizes socially engaged art and multidisciplinary partnerships with engineering, design, and theater departments.

Awards:

• Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship (2024)
• SMTD Faculty Recognition Award

Advising & Outreach: She launched a study abroad program in Seville, Spain, and fosters international exchanges through residencies and guest artist collaborations. Her work bridges academic and community engagement, including performances addressing political and social themes.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Center for Chinese Studies, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, and Arts Initiative. Collaborates with global artists like Sarah Konner, Luciana Acuña, and Terry King Fai Tsang.