The Bridge Dance Project

Please share! -- Sally Radell, on the BDP Atlanta team, is a leading researcher on the impact of mirror on dancers / dance training. It's incredibly valuable information!

Mirrors & Dancer Body Image with Sally Radell In this episode we're joined by Sally Radell, Professor of Dance at Emory University, to talk about her 30 years of research findings on mirrors and body ima...

❗️Donate Once, Make Twice the Impact ❗️

We have had a generous donation of $5000, which the donors are offering as an opportunity for others to also give to our Mission:

For every dollar given to BDP between now and August 1, our sponsors with contribute an additional $1. If you give $5, it becomes $10 - if you give $10, it becomes $20.

Every dollar raised will enable BDP to maximize our work supporting the whole-person health and wellness of competition and commercial dancers, and to provide studio owners and teachers with current dance medicine and science information.

Our generous donors have provided an opportunity for you to also join us in this important work.

Every donation given, regardless of the amount, will be acknowledged on all our social media platforms, as well as at Dance Teacher Web (Las Vegas, Aug. 1-4), where we will have key opportunities to be involved with the program and to interface with attendees.

Donate now to support our mission!

Did you know one of our Bridge Dance Project board of directors was featured on the podcast Dance Through the Lens?

In this episode, the hosts discuss sensitive topics such as mental health, abusive behavior towards minors, grooming, and sexual abuse in the dance community.

They emphasize the importance of addressing these issues openly to create awareness and promote a safer environment.

Their guest, Steven Karageanes, a physician specializing in dance medicine, shares insights and tips on how to ensure the well-being and safety of young dancers.

They discuss the importance of dancer-centric care, appropriate photography practices, and the role of parents in protecting their children.

They also touch on the influence of social media and the need for responsible song and costume choices. The hosts encourage open dialogue and offer resources for those who may have experienced or witnessed such situations.

Overall, the episode aims to provide valuable insights, support, and resources for parents navigating the world of dance.

BDP Denver event this weekend! Swipe through to see details of what will be involved!!

❗️Donate Once, Make Twice the Impact❗️

We have had a generous donation of $5000, which the donors are offering as an opportunity for others to also give to our Mission:

For every dollar given to BDP between now and August 1, our sponsors with contribute an additional $1. If you give $5, it becomes $10 - if you give $10, it becomes $20.

Every dollar raised will enable BDP to maximize our work supporting the whole-person health and wellness of competition and commercial dancers, and to provide studio owners and teachers with current dance medicine and science information. Our generous donors have provided an opportunity for you to also join us in this important work.

Every donation given, regardless of the amount, will be acknowledged on all our social media platforms, as well as at Dance Teacher Web (Las Vegas, July Aug.1-4), where we will have key opportunities to be involved with the program and to interface with attendees.

Donate now to support our mission!

BDP is thrilled to again attend the Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo in Las Vegas (August 1-4), where we will again have a chance to present and interact with this international gathering of competition dance studio owners and teachers.

Early Bird Registration ends March 15, so sign up now — and we look forward to seeing you there!

BDP is participating in Giving Tuesday this year!

Join the worldwide generosity wave on Giving Tuesday - Tuesday 28th November! Born in 2012 with a simple concept: a day dedicated to spreading kindness. Now, it's evolved into a year-round movement inspiring millions to give, unite, and embrace generosity. Let's make a positive impact together!

As a registered 501(c)3 organization, our mission thrives on the support of our followers. Join us in supporting the future of competition dancers' health and wellbeing!

Link to donate: https://thebridgedanceproject.com/paypal

Registration is now OPEN for the free event "Staying on Stage" with our Denver, CO Network!

Register here: https://forms.gle/1zo4NmxX2msCW8Lz6

We want to share the NEW Bridge Dance Project (BDP) Logo -- created by our very own Board member, Jeff Russell, PhD, AT (who knew that he was a man of many talents!) -- we all love it, and hope you do! Please share.....😆

❗️Save the Date❗️for this FREE 1-day workshop presented by our BDP Denver chapter featuring injury screening by DANCE physical therapists, plus interactive classes on the physical and mental tools your dancer needs in order to bring total body health to the stage this season! Registration opens soon! Ages 12 and up.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciFl-oxuuaFj7_lUKT6CmBxt3lqDS5czPB01lRPQL6Em3x8g/viewform

💙

Quote of the day🤎

See it here! https://thebridgedanceproject.com/newsletters/f/newsletter-4---april-2023

Highlights:
BDP will be attending Dance Teacher Web

Board of directors update

Updates on BDP Network

News from our Partners (NEAMA, Acrobatic Arts, NDCA, IADCP, Apolla Performance

Announcing Apolla Performance as the Bridge Dance Project’s newest partner!

Apolla socks have revolutionized dancer footwear by reducing force and injury risk while keeping beautiful lines.

Just as our products are more than a sock... we strive to be more than a company.

We are advocates for education, diversity, equity, and science.

We are driven by a mission to help empower those that need a hand (or foot) to reach their goals.

Because when you know better, you can do better!

BDP will be attending Dance Teacher Web conference and expo!

Visit us on our exhibitor stand or attend our interactive session with Dr. Jeff Russell PhD: Making Sense of Science: Choregraphing a reduced risk of dance injuries

When: July 27-30, 2023
Where: Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas

Please post and Share -- This is so important. Thank you🙏

Those of us in the BDP community are devastated to learn of the sudden and tragic death of Stephen "tWitch" Boss - one of the brightest and much-loved lights in the dance field, and especially in competition dance. This is such a tragic loss, in so many ways. Our hearts go out to wife Allson Holker Boss, and the entire family, and the many people who knew and worked with him over the years.

If you have / know young dancers, keep an extra eye on them during this time -- many of them may have taken classes from tWitch, and looked up to him, and they may not know how to process this loss. Support them, and one another.

His death is a reminder that we never know what goes on privately for someone... If you know someone in crisis, contact 988 in North America, or any of the various hotlines that work in this area.

Please hold your loved ones close, and help support the work of the many organizations that work to prevent su***de.

Our partner I-PATH are hosting a Safeguarding Summit on Wednesday 15th February 2023. The summit will be online and be available to all members and non-members to attend.

They will be sharing a range of tools and resources, as well as live webinars, hosted by their experienced safeguarding team and expert partners, to examine what it means to feel safe and how performing arts schools and colleges can put preventative measures in place to guard children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Only £25 per person. Each attendee will receive a CPD Certificate.

Register here: http://ow.ly/aj9J50Lm3Tt

Join the Bridge Dance Project Southeast Michigan Chapter for a FREE virtual educational event for dancers! You'll learn all kinds of awesome information about not just how to survive but to THRIVE during comp season.

This event will take place Sunday, January 15th from 12-3pm EST via Zoom. Head to http://ow.ly/G56B50Lm2A7 to reserve your spot! There is limited space available, so register now!!

Keep your eyes out for updates next week as we begin to introduce each of our amazing speakers and the topics they'll be presenting during this event.

📆 DATE CHANGE for Alberta Network event! It is aimed at dance educators, studio owners, assistant teachers and dancers aged 15+. This event will help attendees develop knowledge and skills to return safely back to the dance season! 💃

When: October 2nd 2022, 10:00-12:00 MDT
Where: Motives Dance And Fitness in Edmonton (Also available live via Zoom for those outside of Edmonton area)

👆 Click here to sign up: http://ow.ly/HMfO50Ka3bs

📆 Check out this upcoming event from our Alberta Network! It is aimed at dance educators, studio owners, assistant teachers and dancers aged 15+. This event will help attendees develop knowledge and skills to return safely back to the dance season! 💃

When: September 17th 2022, 10:00-12:00 MDT
Where: Motives Dance And Fitness in Edmonton (Also available live via Zoom for Albertans outside of Edmonton area)

👆 Click here to sign up: http://ow.ly/HMfO50Ka3bs

Mia Michaels

ABOUT 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 (https://www.apollaperformance.com/pages/mia-michaels). 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.

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:

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

Jennifer DePaolo, founder of Doctors for Dancers.com

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 FOR THE BDP MONTHLY NEWSLETTER HERE: https://forms.gle/wrBYdjZBjxLLQzES6 OR you can contact one of the chairs.

Sincerely,

Jan Dunn, MS
[email protected]

Kaycee Cope Jones, MS
[email protected]

apollaperformance.com In Episode One, we introduce Mia and Apolla's collaboration...but this series is about SO much more than just footwear. This first episode sets up the series and focuses on the many injury risks dancers are exposed to in their lifetime. We bring together sports science research with Mia’s extraord...

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Hello and Welcome to the Bridge Dance Project's page!
Please click Sign-Up above to join our monthly newsletter as we grow and expand our resources and initiatives for dancers to learn how to bring Dance Science into their daily lives.

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The Bridge Dance Project's cover photo