The team

Location: Denver, CO

Former ballet dancer and integrative pain medicine physician, Linda Bluestein, M.D., specializes in treating dancers with hypermobility disorders and other conditions involving persistent pain.  

In addition to her private practice, Hypermobility MD, Dr. Bluestein is co-host of the podcast, “Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD,” and former co-host of “Hypermobility Happy Hour.” Bluestein is the Director of Education for the nonprofit, EDS Wellness, Inc. and founder and executive director of Bendy-Bodies.org. 

She has published a number of original research papers; presents work at national and international conferences, and is a contributing author for the book, Disjointed - Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders,

Dr. Bluestein is a member of the International Consortium on EDS and HSD, Allergy and Immunology Working Group; IADMS, Promotion Committee; and the Resources Committee for the Dance Healthy Alliance of Canada. 

Location: London, UK

Jasmine is an Accredited Nutritionist and Sports Dietitian on the UK Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) focusing on dance. She has worked across the dance field for over 25 years. She is nutrition consultant for the Dance UK Information Nutrition for Dancers and is co-author of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) updated Nutrition Resource Paper (2016), as well as  the Nutrition chapters in a number of dancer health books. She has presented at the IADMS annual conference regularly. She completed a MRes in Sport and Exercise Science (with distinction) in 2018, her research project was with Irish dancers. Away from dance she has contributed to medical and dietetic textbooks and continues working clinically mainly with those suffering from eating disorders.  

 Location:  Chandler, AZ

Jennifer DePaola is originally from Burr Ridge, Illinois, and has been dancing since she was 2. Her training started with ballet and tap and she grew to love all styles of dance, especially jazz and hip hop. Her formal training includes Plumb Dance Studio under the direction of Sheila and Lisa Plumb and Judi and Brian Friedman at The Dance Source in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was unable to pursue her dance career due to undiagnosed back pain from multiple Specialists. Many years later this would be the passion behind creating a company called Doctors For Dancers in 2019 which helps dancers find Dance Specialists when they need care. 

With over 30 years of dance background, she understands the dance community and hopes to provide a great resource for dancers all over the World. Jennifer’s goal is to help bridge the gap between Dance Specialists and the dance community by providing education, resources, and community outreach programs to provide proper care to dancers.

Location: Allentown, PA 

Gayanne is a dancer, physical therapist, author, researcher, and a performing arts medicine specialist.  Gayanne is adjunct faculty for the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. She is the Director of Dance Wellness, resident physical therapist, and adjunct faculty for Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance.  Gayanne serves IADMS as the treasurer, on the board of directors, and the executive committee. She is the author of the textbook: Dance Science: Anatomy, Movement Analysis, Conditioning. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the IADMS Bulletin for Dancers and Teachers, has published original peer reviewed research most notably on turnout measurement, and is the author of the hip chapter for the American Physical Therapy Association’s monograph on dance medicine. 

Location:  Livonia, MI

Dr. Karageanes is a primary care sports medicine and performing arts medicine physician, currently Medical

Director of St. Mary Mercy Hospital Elite Sports Medicine and Sports Perfomance (Livonia, MI).

He is on the advisory board of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance, the editorial board of the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine and is special consultant to the board of the

International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.  

He is a founding member of Athletes and the Arts, and works with Wayne State University Department of Theater and Dance, University of Michigan Dance Department, Madonna University, and ConteXture Dance Company. He has been consultant / lead physician for The Radio City Rockettes, So You Think You Can Dance, and numerous touring shows. 

He was editor-in-chief of Principles of Manual Sports Medicine (2005), and is Past-President of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.

Location:  Laclede Idaho, ID

Teri currently resides in Idaho. She is one of the Executive Directors of the National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA), which works to educate, inspire and advocate for dance coaches of all levels. Seeing the need for dance specific safety training, Teri developed the NDCA Dance Safety Credential program, which has various levels to certify dance coaches in safety, injury prevention and risk management. 

During her 30 year teaching, coaching and adjudicating career, Teri served in various positions of leadership with multiple dance organizations. She served as the Safety Technical Director for many years in Washington state. As a clinician and rules Interpreter for the NFHS and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), she developed the “WIAA Lift

Curriculum”, which certifies dance coaches in lifts and acro.

Teri was inducted in to the NDCA Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012. Although semi-retired, she continues to work as a

private consultant, speaker/presenter both nationally and internationally.

Location: Athens, OH 

Dr. Jeff Russell is Associate Professor of Athletic Training and Director of Science and Health in Artistic Performance (SHAPe) at Ohio University. SHAPe comprises three components of performing arts medicine: clinical care of injured performing artists, applied research in the medical aspects of performing arts, and education of both artists and healthcare workers. Russell earned his PhD in Dance Medicine and Science from the University of Wolverhampton in England. He is a Fellow of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (FIADMS) and a member of the Research Advisory Group of Cirque du Soleil. Jeff is also on the Board of Directors for the Performing Arts Medicine Association.

Location: Plymouth, MA  

Tiffany Prout-Leitao has a 30-year background in dance education. She is the owner of Center Stage Dance Academy in Plymouth & Sagamore Beach, MA, and the Founder of the non-profit Center Stage Outreach Team. Tiffany is an award-winning jazz choreographer who has done numerous industrials, commercials, TV shows & has worked with several national recording artists. She has taught and performed throughout the US, Europe & China, has served on boards of several arts organizations and is a consultant for professional dance companies in the Boston Area. Tiffany has contributed to articles in Dance Informa, Dance Teacher & Dance Spirit magazine. She is on the Board of Directors for the National Dance Foundation, on faculty for The guiDance Experience, is a certified coach for both YPAD and MTJGD.   Her mission is to create a positive, inclusive, safe, & healthy environment for dancers of any age, background, or ability. 

Location: Roanoke, VA  

Sammi Rader has a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Dance Education. Sammi has over 17 years of experience working with survivors and offenders of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, stalking and/or mental illness.  She is currently the Director of Prevention and Public Relations at Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare in Roanoke, Virginia; a community services board. The majority of her career has been in the nonprofit sector where she has extensive experience in leadership, grant writing, fundraising, and special event planning. 

Sammi is also currently a dance instructor/choreographer at Divine Dance Center in Roanoke, Virginia. She has 26 years of experience as a dance instructor and choreographer. She currently directs the Hip Hop dance program at Divine Dance Center and also teaches combo classes, jazz, contemporary, and choreographs for the competitive dance company. 

Blake Stanley is an internationally recognized educator, coach, and choreographer. He is a past mentee of contemporary dance legend Mia Michaels, and has spearheaded his own training method, Blake Stanley Techniques.

He received his formal education from many studios & educators across the USA, with most notable having been a full-scholarship student at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory. He consistently trained with industry leading choreographers and educational leaders, eventually transitioning into more professional studies ranging from anatomy and physiology, to myofascial pain release, injury-prevention for dancers, childhood development, and is on the forefront of new methods of dancer injury prevention pedagogy; certified in T Spheres Injury Prevention Techniques. He has a kinetically expressive teaching style that is grounded in classical technique and is easily relatable to students of all backgrounds and levels.

Location: London, UK

David Stinson is the CEO and Founder of International Performing Arts & Theatre (I-PATH), a global exam board offering Ofqual-regulated qualifications. Under his leadership, I-PATH has expanded across five continents, becoming a leader in performing arts education. David also runs one of the UK’s largest full-time holiday childcare services, blending education with creative activities. He leads a talent agency representing young performers in stage and screen productions and mentors professionals through INFINITY Business Coaching. A former professional singer and dancer, David founded the David Stinson Theatre School in 2010, inspiring the next generation of artists. His work in education includes roles as a Primary School teacher and School Business Manager, along with consulting for Cambridge University’s Institute of Continuing Education. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a passionate advocate for accessible arts education.

Location: Cape May, NJ

Morijah Thomas is a mover, creator, and dreamer from New Jersey. Thomas holds a BFA in dance with minors in music and art therapy from The University of the Arts. Morijah is a certified Franklin Method educator, which helped her form a love of function and mind/body connection. While at UArts Thomas had the honor to work with educators such as Doug Varone, Robert Battle, Shannon Murphy, and Andrea Miller. Thomas is in the process of attaining her MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. While in London, she was the Strength and Conditioning support coach at The Royal Ballet School. With a multidisciplinary background, Morijah holds a passion to disseminate healthy dance practices into her students, including competitive dance environments. Morijahs’ wishes include that she never stops learning and that all students that cross her path discover something new about themselves.