HDC was recently awarded a Canada Council for the Arts grant for a strategic planning and organizational development initiative. Since then, the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs have been working closely with consultant Marlene Stirrett-Matson and met in Calgary from May 5-7 for an intensive retreat. Informed by input provided by a membership survey distributed in March, and an environmental scan conducted by HDC practicum student Allysan Lui, we are currently discussing the organization's values, vision, mission, structure and goals. Work will continue into the fall of 2023.
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HYPERMOBILE DANCERS WEBINAR: While an asset in many dance forms, hypermobility can also present dancers with distinct physical and psychological challenges. Based on the most current research, this workshop will provide information about the signs, symptoms, and evaluation of hypermobility. Participants will also learn to address the special needs of hypermobile dancers, providing the necessary support, management, and training to help them avoid injuries and achieve their maximum potential. Join for the first quarterly webinar of 2023, on March 26, with Linda Bluestein, MD. Dr. Bluestein is an international speaker on the forefront of research on pain, hypermobility and dance medicine. An integrative medicine physician with certification in Performing Arts Medicine, she takes a unique approach to the evaluation and treatment of this highly specialized population. Dr. Bluestein received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine followed by the completion of an anesthesiology residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. She is board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Note: This webinar is listed in Eastern Time. The zoom meeting will also be recorded for registrants that are unable to attend live. Applications are now open for The Healthy Dancer Canada BIPOC Emerging Artist Scholarship! An initiative created to support emerging BIPOC artists pursuing careers in dance, this scholarship aims to address existing barriers faced by BIPOC artists, and improve access to supports that will further racialized artists in their professional pursuits.
This opportunity is open to BIPOC artists ages 18-30 who self-identify as emerging/early-stage professional dance artists in any and all genres. Both independent submissions (applying for yourself) and nominations (on behalf of another qualifying artist) will be accepted. Applicants may also express interest in HDC’s Mentorship Program, which will pair the emerging artist with an established dance professional in a mentoring relationship for approximately six months. The Mentorship Program aspires to offer further professional advice, guidance, resources, and emotional/social support to BIPOC artists in the early stages of their dance career. See the print document to learn more and to complete the BIPOC Emerging Artist Scholarship application. Submissions are due by May 1st, 2023. Congratulations to HDC member, interdisciplinary movement artist Amber Downie-Back, who is the recipient of the Chrystal Dance Prize. The prize will support the project 'on the nature of...', an interdisciplinary work that explores themes of memory and nostalgia, while incorporating interactive and digital elements with dance performance and sound. Downie-Back will collaborate with Emilie van der Waals, a Netherlands-based contemporary dancer and choreographer from Sint Maarten, and sound designer Angus Gaffney, to push movement and sound in collaborative contexts with other media such as digital and video art. (Photo by Niks Vignal) Congratulations to Jenna Magrath, recent graduate from University Calgary's combined BKIN/BA dance degree, who is the recipient of Healthy Dancer Canada's 2022 Research Award. Her study, Undergraduate contemporary dancers' perceptions of dance-related pain, injury, and fatigue, aimed to understand university contemporary dance students’ perceptions of pain, injury, and fatigue. It is known that dancers have high rates of injury, and that it is common for dancers to dance while in pain, injured, or fatigued. Cultural norms that promote dancing through pain, and fear and avoidance of disclosing pain, injury, or fatigue exist within dance contexts, and may contribute to injury risk. From our qualitative analysis, four themes were generated: (1) It’s more unusual for people to sit out than to dance through their injuries; (2) Pain, injury, and fatigue aren’t just physical; (3) Safe dancing environments are important; (4) Implementing dancer health knowledge into practice is complicated. Cultural norms of persevering through and normalization of pain, injury, and fatigue remain present in university dance programs. Findings highlight the negative psychological impact injuries can have, and that implementing knowledge into practice remains difficult. The role that dance educators play in dancers’ understanding of pain, injury, and fatigue was identified, and further emphasis on safe dance practice is needed to establish healthy dance habits. Change is still needed to foster physically and psychologically safe dancing spaces. Jenna also received a 2022 Student Research Award from IADMS for this research. Congratulations to Dr. Bonnie Robson, recipient of Healthy Dancer Canada's Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022. Bonnie E. Robson MD DPsych DCP FRCPC has spent 40 years in clinical adult and child psychiatry and since 1983 specializing in performance arts medicine and performance enhancement for vocal and instrumental music students, dance students, teachers, administrators, and artistic directors. Until her retirement in 2013 she consulted to athletes and artists at Pivot Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Toronto. She was a consultant to the National Ballet School of Canada from 1983-1995 and Quinte Ballet School of Canada from 2000-2011 and is currently on the Wellness team for Canada’s Ballet Jorgen. Her original arts-related research makes her a popular speaker/presenter at national and international conferences in such countries as Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Cuba, Singapore, and USA. Recent presentations on Mindfulness approach to performance and Psychological Skills training have been presented university music programs for undergraduates and postgraduates and dance educators. She has published her research in such juried journals as the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science and Medical Problems of Performing Artists where she also serves on the editorial board. She was on the Board of Directors of PAMA and has served on the Board of NETWORK Schools and chaired their research committee. She was honoured by this organization with a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to arts education and from PAMA the Bill Dawson Award. She is a member of the Dance USA Task Force on Wellness, a board member of the Bridge Dance Project, and a founding member of Healthy Dancer Canada, as well as a member of its membership committee. Join us from anywhere for this year's virtual conference, November 19 & 20. Performers 2022:
High Tide Low Tide - Amber Downie-Back Locust-Cry - Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre In 2 Deep - SaMel Tanz |
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