My work integrates scientific principles into dance practice to promote efficient movement patterns that aid in dancer longevity. From practice to pedagogy, dancers benefit from foundational knowledge of science. It informs the ways we choose to move, not only to achieve sound alignment, but also to establish unique mind-body connections. This relationship between mind and body is what grounds my work in dance and dance science, and when it is shared with others, it changes the way we see dance practice. 

       As an educator, it is essential to pass on my discoveries to my students. I use a foundation of Pilates-based somatic practice and dance anatomy to explore best practice for dancer wellness inside and outside of the classroom. We build a physiologically sound routine in the classroom to protect the body during deeper movement exploration, and this stimulates the mind to ponder what it really takes to achieve desired results in physical practice. As a team, I work with my students and establish a comfortable environment where we can intimately explore our personal movement patterns in this way. Through this exploration, we experiment and find efficiency, questioning long-established principles of dance that do not work in our bodies and instead adapting them for personalized practice.  

       Best practice also guides my research in dance science. My inquiries range from cross training effects on turnout to friction and footwear, and my research projects stem from pursuit of performance that best supports the dancing body. I investigate common elements of dance practice to discover how we can be stronger and live longer as dancers. When we dance, we need our bodies to support us, and dance science is the means to find this connection.