Artistic Staff

Morley Van Yperen

Theologian In Residence

Morley van Yperen is a founding member and Theologian in Residence of Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet. She received a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Theology from Gordon College and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Morley began dancing as a child in New York City. In high school, she studied the Humphrey -Weidman technique of modern dance with Ernestine Stodelle. As a student at Gordon College, Morley also took part in introducing liturgical worship dance to her Baptist church and to the College chapel services. After graduating, she continued to explore the intersection between dance and worship and the further connection of both with Scripture and spirituality. For more than ten years she served as a student, performer, and faculty member in the dance school and ministry of Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet Company. As Ekklesia’s Theologian in Residence, Morley uses her strong background in both theology and dance to help the company members and choreographers explore how the Bible speaks to them as artists and how their work may offer practical applications of theology for themselves, the community around them, and the world they live in.