Posted by IADMS Promotion Committee

Katy Chambers MSc, Royal Academy of Dance, London 

1. Could you tell us about your presentation theme at the 28th IADMS Annual Conference (#IADMS2018)?

This session will be focused on neuromuscular activation patterns…basically what that means is that we will be exploring movement from the perspective of identifying ‘cheat patterns’ and trying out some techniques for undoing these. I think this is exciting and relevant as dancers often hold tension in unwanted areas e.g. neck and shoulders and this can be really challenging to correct just through instruction/cueing alone.

Arming dancers with the tools to be the strongest and most efficient movers they can be is a potentially very valuable in performance enhancement from both physical and aesthetic perspectives.

Participants should expect to move a little and think a lot.

2. Why is it import to discuss this topic with the IADMS community? What are the implications of this topic to the dance sector/dance health professionals?

The techniques I will introduce are typically confined to use in clinical contexts however I see so much potential for use with individual and groups of dancers way beyond this. I feel passionately that dance teachers and other movement practitioners should be empowered to observe and refine their dancers’ movement through effective approaches to facilitation which help to avoid or rectify cheat patterns along with their resultant muscular imbalance and increased injury risk. This is a preventative as well as corrective approach, which is crucial in being proactive in the dance training realm.

3. How will your presentation help dance educators to apply research with students and participants in the classroom?

I am really excited that my session will be part of the schedule for A Day for Teachers as this will mean that, as a group, we can have an interactive practical session that will hopefully raise some questions and offers tools for teachers to take back to their studios around the world.

Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate their own movement strategies as well as observing those of others. We will be using worksheets within the session which will act as notes / memory aids for teachers if they wish to try out some of the new ideas and techniques with their dancers.

4. What are your thoughts on IADMS relevance for your field of work?

Through all disciplines represented in the IADMS membership and conference attendance, we have the shared aim of optimising experience for dancers. This approach to working has the potential to enhance performance, reduce injury risk and to empower dancers to self-direct their day to day management. IADMS offers us the opportunity to share and learn from one another in an open multidisciplinary environment.

5. Personally, what is the importance of attending to IADMS annual conferences?

I attend for a number of reasons, partly to catch up with like-minded colleagues from around the world and partly for the range of subjects addressed. As there are parallel sessions, I am inclined to attend many which sit outside of my own area of practice and research in order to widen the understanding I have of what is going on in the sector.

6.What do you think you are most looking forward to on this year’s conference?

I am really looking forward to delivering my session as I hope that participants will both enjoy it and ask lots of questions. I am anticipating it forming the start of a conversation as I’d love for teachers to keep in touch with me afterwards to share their experiences when they have the opportunity to try out the new techniques in their own teaching contexts.