Advance, Adapt, Access, Repeat (Maggie Morris, Sonia Rafferty, Andrea Downie)
The purpose of this year’s Healthy Dancer Canada’s virtual conference is to “move forward together” – Access, Adapt, Advance. In this presentation the presenters will approach this theme in reverse and propose that it is a cyclical process, each aim continually supporting and promoting the other.
The Advance of dance science research, which is a fundamental basis of healthy dance practice, encourages conversations and debates between researchers, dance educators, healthcare providers and dancers. This in turn challenges us to Adapt our perceptions and our practice, allowing greater potential to provide Access for all – to knowledge, to greater levels of health and wellbeing, and ultimately to continue to fuel the advancement from the ground up.
Although many dancers and dance educators appreciate the value of dance science principles, it is often challenging for them to translate and apply these principles in their everyday work. Our initial research has shown that there have been barriers, real or perceived, that can inhibit the ability of the whole dance community to integrate the developing knowledge in the field in order to optimise training and performance and support wellbeing.
However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many more people are looking to dance science for guidance and there has been a greater desire for support from organisations and individuals who can give advice and direction in this climate. Practitioners have been searching for resources to guide them in building new knowledge and understanding to cope with increased responsibilities. Having learned from experience what can engage our broader dance community, and acknowledging the difficulties that some practitioners face, we will highlight how steps forward to the integration of healthy practice principles can be achieved. The session will discuss ongoing strategies for practical application of the different principles that can enhance the dance experience in a variety of contexts. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to share and discuss their own experiences, solutions and tactics when aiming to uphold healthy dance practice.
The Advance of dance science research, which is a fundamental basis of healthy dance practice, encourages conversations and debates between researchers, dance educators, healthcare providers and dancers. This in turn challenges us to Adapt our perceptions and our practice, allowing greater potential to provide Access for all – to knowledge, to greater levels of health and wellbeing, and ultimately to continue to fuel the advancement from the ground up.
Although many dancers and dance educators appreciate the value of dance science principles, it is often challenging for them to translate and apply these principles in their everyday work. Our initial research has shown that there have been barriers, real or perceived, that can inhibit the ability of the whole dance community to integrate the developing knowledge in the field in order to optimise training and performance and support wellbeing.
However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many more people are looking to dance science for guidance and there has been a greater desire for support from organisations and individuals who can give advice and direction in this climate. Practitioners have been searching for resources to guide them in building new knowledge and understanding to cope with increased responsibilities. Having learned from experience what can engage our broader dance community, and acknowledging the difficulties that some practitioners face, we will highlight how steps forward to the integration of healthy practice principles can be achieved. The session will discuss ongoing strategies for practical application of the different principles that can enhance the dance experience in a variety of contexts. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to share and discuss their own experiences, solutions and tactics when aiming to uphold healthy dance practice.
Maggie MorrisSonia RaffertyAndrea Downie |
Maggie Morris is co-founder of Safe in Dance International which works to promote safe and healthy dance practice worldwide. SiDI has developing a range of Healthy Dance Certificates for dance practitioners to evidence their knowledge and application of healthy dance principles. SiDI also works with awarding bodies and universities worldwide to integrate healthy dance principles into teacher training and practice. She is also a dance education and performance advisor.
Maggie’s knowledge of the dance sector springs from her experience as performer, director and educator. She started her career in New York where she danced with the Murray Louis Dance Company. Later, Maggie became artistic director of Phoenix Dance Company before working as a freelance director, teacher, choreographer and dance consultant. Over the past 15 years Maggie Morris’ focus has been on the support and development of professional performing arts training, dance teaching and healthy dance practice. Maggie has been a member of the Arts Council Dance panel, the Dance UK executive committee, and the Council for Dance Education and Training Accreditation Board. She is a trustee of the Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund and sits on the board of the English National Ballet School. She has written performing arts for publications in both the USA and Europe. Margaret has an MA in International Relations and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University Describing herself as an ‘academic artist’, Sonia has over thirty years experience as a performer, teacher, choreographer, director, mentor, researcher, consultant and author. She is an established dance technique teacher and has delivered professional masterclasses, workshops and company development in the UK and internationally. Sonia is currently Senior Lecturer and BSc Dance Science Programme Leader at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Alongside her work in safe and healthy dance practice as Co-Founder of Safe in Dance International (SiDI), Sonia is co-author of “Safe Dance Practice: An applied dance science perspective”, which has become a seminal text in the field. She has presented at a variety of conferences worldwide, authored, co-authored and reviewed a number of research and Journal articles and has served with organisations and committees that promote dance science and pedagogical best practice.
Andrea Downie is the founding director of EnhanceDance, an initiative established in 2017 to share equity-informed and evidence-based principles and best practice in dance teaching, training and performance. She is a founding member, past president (2016 & 2017) and co-chair of the Resources Committee for Healthy Dancer Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health, well-being and performance of all dancers. She is HDC's longest serving board member, instrumental in the development of the organization, and having served in every role within the organization since its inception in 2008. An educator, choreographer and kinesiology instructor with 25 years of experience, Andrea is an adjunct professor in Dance and PhD student in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Andrea completed her professional dance training at Dance New Amsterdam (formerly Dance Space Centre) in New York City, and performed with Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects while there. Andrea is a registered provider and assessor with Safe in Dance International, and a third-party CPD course provider for Royal Academy of Dance Canada. Andrea works actively across Canada as a teacher-tutor, guest dance instructor, choreographer, and speaker, enthusiastically sharing her passion for dance. She has experience working with professional, pre-professional and recreational dancers of all ages, levels and abilities.
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