THE BRIDGE DANCE PROJECT
The Bridge Dance Project is a newly launched cooperative endeavor between leaders in the dance medicine and science field, and in the competition / commercial dance field. The Project began as an outgrowth of conversations between Jan Dunn, MS (Denver Dance Medicine Associates, Past President of IADMS) and Kaycee Cope Jones, MS (COO of Apolla Performance Footwear,) following the release of the Apolla Mia Michaels video series on injury prevention in dance (click here to see all four episodes). Michaels is an Emmy-award winning choreographer based in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
There has been a growing concern about the increasing number of injuries to young dancers -- about the body potentially being "pushed too hard / too far". In Mia Michael's video #3, she mentions as an example a 16-year old dancer with a double hip replacement. The field of Dance Medicine and Science has been in existence for 40 years, and up to this point, has positively influenced primarily the professional ballet and the academic dance communities - but unfortunately, has had very little crossover into the commercial and competition dance areas. There is a small group of dance professionals in the latter area who are currently working to help integrate this work into their dance communities (such as the recent Artists and Athletes Initiative - AAI - which debuted at the June National Dance Honors convention in Las Vegas) and overall, there is a strong need for this type of effort to increase.
The goal of the Bridge Dance Project is to build a bridge between the current realm of dance medicine and science and the commercial/competition areas of dance - to bring more information, working collaboratively together, into the daily lives of dancers working in this area. Although this project was started as an outgrowth of the Mia Michaels/Apolla videos, it is not about endorsing any particular product/project/ or endeavor. The BDP is about leaders in both fields coming together to address a specific need in a specific segment of the dance community, independent of any organizations or companies we may otherwise be involved with.
The website is live and you can learn more by going to:
https://thebridgedanceproject.com/
A Founders Board of dance and dance medicine professionals has been created to begin the work which we are all envisioning, and who would like to help in this effort. Thus far, the Board consists of those listed below, and potentially several other professionals as well:
Katie Schaar -- founder of Sugerfoot Therapy / co-founder of MOTI Physical Therapy in Los Angeles / commercial choreographer and convention teacher / AAI team
Gayanne Grossman, PT --Director of Dance Wellness, Muhlenberg College (PA) / PT for Lehigh Valley Network Performing Arts Wellness Program / BOD of IADMS / author of "Dance Science: Anatomy, Movement Analysis, and Conditioning"
Selina Shah, MD -- Sports and Dance Medicine, BASS Medical Group, / Team Physician - Axis Dance Company, Diablo Ballet Company, Oakland Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School / Healthy Dancers' Clinic, Mills College / Treasurer and Board of Directors, IADMS / Dance USA Taskforce on Dancer Heath / 4dancers.org Dance Wellness Panel
Jeff Russell, PhD, AT, FIADMS -Associate Professor, Athletic Training and Director, Science and Health in Artistic Performance - Ohio University / dance medicine and science researcher / Research Advisory Group - Cirque de Soleil
Bonnie Robson, MD -- psychiatry / dance medicine in Toronto, CA -- formerly with National Ballet School / currently on Dance Wellness Team - Ballet Jorgen / Dance USA Taskforce on Dancer Health
Robin Kish, MS, MFA -- Chapman University Dance Faculty, in Orange, CA / strong background and connections in competition dance / dance science researcher / co -author of recently published second edition of "Dancing Longer Dancing Stronger"
Teri Rowe, MS - Executive Director, National Dance Coaches Association, based in LeClerc, ID
Jasmine Challis, BSc - Freelance Registered Dietitian and Eating Disorder Specialist, One Dance UK (London, UK).
Caroline Lewis-Jones: Health Made Simple PRO, Certified Holistic Health Coach / Institute of Integrative Nutrition, Professional Dancer/Choreographer, Mom on a Mission, Adrenaline Dance Convention Senior Faculty, AAI Team - Columbia, SC
Heather Southwick, PT, MSPT - Director of Physical Therapy, Boston Ballet / Dance USA Taskforce on Dancer Health
The Bridge Dance Project is newly launched and does not have a website as yet. If you are interested in learning more or in helping with this project, please sign-up here: https://forms.gle/wrBYdjZBjxLLQzES6 OR contact one of the Co-Chairs:
Jan Dunn, MS
Kaycee Cope Jones, MS
kaycee@apollaperformance.com
