Dance Health Professionals: Expanding Our Team
In the last 40 years Dance Science has thrived on a growing body of research and work by governing bodies that has allowed Dancers to develop their skills and health/wellbeing for the better. The contributions of major Dance Science organisations has led us the where we are today. Beyond this their are current health practitioners and researchers who are pioneering Dance research to further have a positive impact on Dancers in this century. Dancers are recognising widely the necessity for such provision and the emerging amount of Strength and Conditioning Coaches and support staff in Ballet Companies and Schools is most promising for the future.
It is also great to see Dance teachers now demanding specific guidelines for S&C and reaching out to Sport Science professionals to aid them in the development of young people. It is fast becoming appropriate and popular for young Dancers to seek professionals to aid them with their development long term.
Over the last year Young Dancers who have interacted with Science in Dance have met lots Dance Health Professionals that have been a part of their journey and had a huge impact on their progression. Where I have felt that other expertise is needed I have referred Dancers through the appropriate channels to see specialist Doctors, Physios and Dieticians.
We believe that in order to best serve Dancers, organisations should take a multi-disciplinary approach to Dance Health and refer to key individuals wherever possible.
Therefore, as the new term and September approaches we see this as a brilliant opportunity to introduce you to independent professionals who have been a huge part of our processes so far and will continue to have an impact on Dancers in the future.
The group of Professionals contributing to these articles and blogs will continue to grow as Science in Dance aims to draw non-dance specific individuals into the realms of Dance to contribute with new and different perspectives. As well as give them experience interacting with a highly reputed Student Dance population in the North West of England.
Jodie Comer
Jodie is a Sports Therapist who graduated with a First Class Honours degree from Edge Hill University in 2013. Jodie works in a Dance College in Liverpool where she looks after the training dancers. Jodie works with them through their studies, dealing with any acute or chronic injuries, advising on injury prevention strategies and teaching Pilates. Alongside the Dance College, Jodie works in her own Clinic, Shaw Sports Therapy & Injury Services, and teaches Pilates at various locations. Jodie danced herself from 3-18 years old so understands the demands dance puts on the body. Jodie is very passionate about her work and the Performing Arts Industry and will be returning to University in September to study for her Masters in Performing Arts Medicine. Jodie is looking forward to working with the Science in Dance team providing quality care for the Dance students of KS Dance.
Chris Taggart
"My interest in dance began young, as my father has been a pianist working with prestigious dance companies across the UK for 30 years. My degree in Sports Medicine & Nutrition and ongoing Masters in Strength & Conditioning provides a perfect balance between adaptation and recovery. And recently, I have begun to specialise in functional neurology to help dancers with pain and performance. My aim is to educate and support dancers in order to facilitate their readiness to perform and to have happy, long, and successful careers." To add to this... Chris has been an integral part of the rehabilitation of Dancers who have spent periods with Science in Dance in order to return to dance from surgery and injury. Chris is a highly valued practitioner and scientist and provides an element of practicality and realness to all situations.
Rachel Hendrie
Rachel is an exercise scientist who graduated from Glasgow University with a BSc in Physiology and Sports Science. Over the past few years, she has been involved in applying physiological sciences to many different sports. This has included implementing a training programme and monitoring system in a University women’s football team and helping to carry out pre-season fitness testing for Professional Football Clubs and the Scottish Hockey Academy. With extensive experience in dance, having being a dancer herself for 19 years and teaching dance from the age of 14 in multiple different styles, she understands the movement pattern and demands associated with dance training and performance. From the start of this year, Rachel has been working with the physiotherapist, Martin Lanfear, at Scottish Ballet with the aim to integrate monitoring, strength training and conditioning into the company. Rachel aims to help Science in Dance provide a first step towards educating dancers and teachers about the importance of these factors in order to develop healthy and robust dancers.
Fiona Kellet
Fiona is the consultant Physiotherapist for Science in Dance and KS Dance. Fiona provides excellent and efficient treatment and diagnosis to Dancers who are continually in Dance training and Professional environments. Although Fiona is relatively new to the world of Dance, she applies extensive experience and knowledge from other Sporting areas and is an excellent applied practitioner when it comes to treating and managing Dancers with a variety of injuries. Fiona is very forward thinking and clearly defines the process by which Physios, Coaches and Dance Teachers work in harmony to best serve the wellbeing and development of Dancers. Her holistic approach to the Dance Training and Dance Injury Management is brilliant asset to KS Dance.
Gemma Parry
Gemma has been a Physiotherapy Consultant and Advisor to Science in Dance since 2015/16 and maintains a close relationship with us via her PhD research at University of Salford. Gemma has a passion for Ballet and working with Ballet Dancers and her care for each individual is exemplary. Gemma has previously completed an MSc in Sports Rehab at Salford. Gemma has extensive experience as a Dancer and also knowledge of the world of Professional Ballet. As such Gemma continues to be an ever developing practitioner and views and applied knowledge are valued by all who interact with her.
You can expect to see articles and publications from all these fantastic people and many more in the near future.
Check out IADMS, NIDMS, SAFE IN DANCE INT. for links to resources and research that is ongoing.
