Liz Maxwell

Liz Maxwell is an Associate Professor of Dance at Chapman University's College of Performing Arts, specializing in somatic disciplines, modern dance techniques, dance history, and choreography. She holds a BFA from The Juilliard School and an MFA from University of Washington's returning professional program. Her teaching integrates somatic education with contemporary practices.

• Education: BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School, MFA in Dance from University of Washington
• Certifications: Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (CLMA), Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME)

Maxwell's research focuses on Dance Aesthetics, Somatic Pedagogy, and Technology Integration in Performance. Recent works explore virtual perspectives in dance, gender-neutral performance spaces, and reconstructing historical works with modern interpretations. Her scholarship examines curricular development and the psychological impact of teaching practices.

Notable scientific awards include:

• Two Bessie Awards (Laura Dean's Impact, Donald Byrd's The Minstrel Show)
• $5,000 Grant for Paul Taylor's Esplanade staging

Maxwell's choreographic output demonstrates evolving trends:

• 2023 works show increased focus on collaborative student works and gender discourse
• 2015-2016 projects emphasize somatic philosophy and historical reconstruction
• 2018-2020 experiments integrate dance-film technology
• 2016 academic presentations address curricular reform and interdisciplinary collaboration

Her teaching innovations include co-developing courses on somatic movement, developing collaborative dance/music concerts with Nick Terry, and pioneering virtual technology applications in live performance. She lives in Altadena, CA and has been at Chapman since 2005.