Backhausdance

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Accompanists

We’re delighted to have such wonderful musicians accompanying our 2026 BDSI dance classes!

We look forward to dancing to music by Brian Wood, Patrick Doran-Sheeran, Satomi, Kanazawa, Bruno Cilloniz, Annie Akung Woo, and Joao Martins!

Read more about these six incredible accompanists here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Santiago Villarreal
Contemporary, Improvisation, Composition, Dance Church

Santiago Villarreal, born in Monterrey, Mexico, began dancing at 16 and earned his BFA from Chapman University in 2019. He has worked with notable choreographers and companies such as NW Dance Project, Ate9, Boca Tuya, The TL Collective, Yin Yue, JJTC, Backhausdance and Mike Tyus. His commercial credits include projects with artists like Kali Uchis, Taeyang, Dana, along with national campaigns for brands including Apple and OnStar. Driven by curiosity and physical exploration, he continues to develop his artistry while balancing roles as a dancer, choreographer, and educator.

Read more about Santiago here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Nadav Gal 
Contemporary, Improvisation

Nadav Gal is a choreographer, movement coach, and rehearsal director working with dancers and performers across creation and performance processes. His work focuses on clarity, physical awareness, and helping performers make authentic choices, challenging them physically while supporting the work. He began his career as a dancer with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in 2009, and later joined Eyal Dadon Dance Company, performing and touring internationally for several seasons. His teaching approach encourages performers to trust their instincts, take ownership of their choices, and discover a more personal and honest way of moving.

Read more about Nadav here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Matthew Harvey
Ballet

Matthew Harvey is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer from Allentown, PA. Matthew began his professional performance career as a trainee with Charlotte Ballet. In 2007, he joined Hernan Justo’s Ballet Greenville (formerly Carolina Ballet Theatre) as a principal dancer and choreographer. He has performed as a guest artist with companies, schools, and universities across the north and southeast regions of the United States, and in various cities in Uruguay. In 2017, Matthew became an instructor of dance at Colorado State University teaching ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Matthew has been choreographing works since 2006, blending elements of concert and social dance forms to create dynamic music visualizations.

Read more about Matthew here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive

FACULTY FEATURE >>> Madeline Jazz Harvey
Ballet

Madeline Jazz Harvey is a dance educator, choreographer, and performer specializing in classical and contemporary ballet. In 2010, Madeline joined Carolina Ballet Theatre (now Ballet Greenville) where she served as a principal dancer, resident choreographer, and outreach coordinator for five full-time seasons. She also performed as a guest artist with companies including Repertory Dance Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, Olney Ballet Theatre, and Colton Ballet Company of Augusta. Madeline performed with Judy Bejarano’s IMPACT Dance Company from 2018-2025.

Read more about Madeline here >>> backhausdance.org/intensive