Lachan Jaarda
Choreographer; Dancer; Film Maker; Teacher / Instructor
Lachan Jaarda is a dance artist located in Kalamazoo, MI. Lachan has trained primarily in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Improvisation/Partnering, Tap, Hip-hop, and Musical Theatre. In 2019, she received her BA in Dance from Hope College. Additionally, she was a company member in both Strtiketime Dance Theatre and H2 Dance Company while at Hope. After graduating, she has worked with Tapestry Dance Company, Atelier Dance Company, Chamberlain Dance, and CPR Inhale Movement. Lachan has also taken a self-choreographed solo, Die Kretur, To Paris (France), Chicago (IL), and Detroit (MI.)
Over the last five years, Lachan has choreographed many modern and ballet works. Her most recent project, Rooted Movement, was an entirely self-produced virtual film showcase including five films. Lachan is currently a company member of Chamberlain Dance Company and CPR Inhale Movement while also training in new dance techniques such as Countertechnique, Hawkins, and more.
Outside of choreographing and performing, Lachan is an instructor at Academy of Dance Arts and Wellspring Dance Academy where she is the Youth Performing Ensemble Coordinator. She teaches ages 3 - adult in genres ranging from Ballet/Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Dance Fundamentals, Tap, Creative Movement, and Conditioning. Lachan aspires to achieve her MFA in dance. Prior to this achievement, she plans to pursue a certification to teach Countertechnique and Laban Movement Analysis (LMA.) She also dreams of developing her own dance company.