Orthopedics: Treating Injuries at the Root


Troy Smurawa, MD, leads the dance program. He is board-certified in pediatrics and sports medicine and has been team doctor for the USA Triathlon World Championships team for over 20 years. He took a special interest


in helping dancers overcome injuries when his three young


daughters developed an interest in ballet. A typical appointment with Dr. Smurawa will include a thorough assessment of the injury, imaging if needed, and functional movement observations (an assessment of how the injury impacts your ability to move). Then, Dr. Smurawa will educate dancers and parents about how to overcome the injury. We understand that many dancers have concerns about seeing a doctor, because they fear the doctor will tell them to stop dancing. Dr. Smurawa works with each dancer to modify their training, enabling them to keep dancing as much as possible without worsening their injury.


Physical Therapy: Regaining Your Strength with Help from Experts


We offer a sophisticated in-house dance floor complete with barre and full- length mirror, specifically for rehabilitation and performance improvement. If referred for physical therapy, dancers will meet with one of our specialized physical therapists, including: • Jennifer Kieschnick, DPT, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist in physical therapy and certified dry-needling practitioner • Julie Rosado, MPT, a board-certified pediatric clinical specialist in physical therapy as well as a certified selective functional movement specialist • Holly Nieman MS, LAT, a licensed and certified athletic trainer who completed an internship with The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries through NYU Langone Medical Center During the one-hour initial evaluation, we’ll ask each dancer about past and current injuries. We’ll also do range of motion, strength testing and functional movement observations to better understand how you move and what might be causing your injury. Our team focuses on rehabilitating your current injury and preventing future injuries. Dancers can expect to leave their initial evaluation with an understanding of long-term goals for their time in physical therapy as well as an at-home exercise program.


Behavioral Health: Staying Strong Physically and Mentally


Sometimes injuries impact an athlete’s physical and mental health. That’s why Kimberly Williams, LCSW, has joined Children’s Health Andrews Institute as a Behavioral Health Care Manager. As a licensed clinician, Kimberly offers short-term therapy (8-12 weeks). She helps patients navigate all types of challenges including anxiety, depression, managing chronic pain, staying motivated through a long recovery and fear of returning to their sport. Kimberly can also connect patients with longer-term care if needed. Children’s Health Andrews Institute is one of only a handful of programs that offer mental health support as part of our comprehensive care. Kimberly combines her clinical expertise with her experience as a high-level gymnast to help kids overcome mental health challenges associated with their injuries. She uses tools tailored to each dancer’s needs, ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy to strategies for stress management and self- care. These tools serve as a guide for our artistic athletes as they process pain they’re facing today, physical or mental, and serve them for life.


Nutrition: Finding the Best Fuel for Your Body


Nutrition for athletes can be much more complicated than eating more fruits and vegetables. That’s where a performance dietitian can help


12 • DANCE NORTH TEXAS • NOVEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021


tremendously. Brittany Wehrle is the Performance Dietitian at the Children’s Health Andrews Institute located in Plano, Texas. Brittany is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) who has worked with youth, high school, collegiate, professional and tactical level athletes. Her passions include supporting athletes who need help with injuries, surges, disordered eating, general performance nutrition and supplementation. Brittany takes a balanced approach to nutrition that empowers athletes to optimize their performance while also cultivating a healthy relationship with food. An initial consult with Brittany includes a full assessment of your medical and nutritional history, a discussion about your current eating habits and performance goals, and an individualized plan to help you begin achieving those goals.


Ballet Ensemble of Texas photo by Cathy Vanover


DECEMBER 4 – 6. CINDERELLA: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told! presented by Ballet Ensemble of Texas. December 4-5 at 7:30PM | December 5-6 at 2:30PM | Irving Arts Center, 3333 N Macarthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75062 | $30 Adults, $25 Sen/Kids |


irvingartscenter.com. At presstime, all shows are sold out!


Livestream of both Saturday performances will be available! For more information, please go to balletensembleoftexas.com.


Ballet Frontier


DECEMBER 4 - 6. THE NUTCRACKER: KINGDOM OF SWEETS presented by Ballet Frontier. December 4 at 7:30PM | December 5 at 2PM and 7:30PM | December 6 at 2PM | $35-$45 | Will Rogers Auditorium, 3405 Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76107 | Tickets: balletfrontier.org.


Outreach: Supporting Dancers in Dallas and Beyond


Holly Nieman combines her medical expertise and her background in dance to provide pre-pointe assessments for young dancers. We recommend dancers anticipating being promoted to pointe classes schedule a pre-pointe assessment four to six months prior to the promotion. This allows ample time to build their strength and range of motion before the promotion. Holly is also available for virtual dance assessments. If you have questions or concerns regarding any old or new injuries, nutrition or mental health, feel free to email holly.nieman@childrens.com to schedule.


Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine 7211 Preston Road, Plano, Texas 75024 | 469-303-3000 Childrens.com/Andrews


Ballet Dallas & Royale Ballet Dance Academy join together to bring you


Dallas Ballet Company


This unique multi-media take on The Nutcracker will be presented live at the Eisemann Center in Richardson December 5th and 6th at 2pm and 7pm


Limited social distancing tickets available now at www.eisemanncenter.com


DECEMBER 3 - 14. THE NUTCRACKER. Dallas Ballet Company, under the Artistic Direction of Judy and Brent Klopfenstein, presents The Nutcracker live performances with guest artists Claire Kretzschmar—Soloist with New York City Ballet and Brian Waldrep—former Soloist with Houston Ballet. December 4 & 11 at 7:30PM | December 5 & 12 at 7:30PM | December 6 & 13 at 2PM | Preview Shows: December 3 & 10 at 7:30 | $20 | Granville Performing Arts Center, Garland, TX. Tickets: 972-205-2790 | $30 reserved seating. Masks required; social distancing enforced by GPAC. Seats are limited. Tickets on sale to the public November 2. Live streaming will also be sold via ShowTix4u. Go to dallasballetcompany.org for livestreaming link.


DECEMBER 5 - 6. I AM CLARA, NUTCRACKER 2020. Ballet Dallas and Royale Ballet Dance Academy join forces to create I am Clara, Nutcracker 2020. This is a live traditional Nutcracker with a twist in response to the Pandemic and features students from the school and Ballet Dallas Company dancers, as well as guests Marlen Alimanov, Floyd Mclean and Daniel de Cordoba. 2PM and 7PM | Eisemann Center, Richardson, TX. Tickets go on sale October 31st and are very limited to enforce social distancing and can be purchased directly from the Eisemann Center | $30 | eisemanncenter.com. Livestream of performance will be sold through the Eisemann ticket office.


the last


The Dallas Conservatory


DECEMBER 6 & 13. NUTCRACKER IN THE PARK. The Dallas Conservatory, under the artistic direction of Jacqueline Porter, presents Nutcracker in the Park on Dec. 6, and Rockefeller Christmas in the Park Dec. 13 | 1PM and 3PM. For tickets, call 214.357.8888 or write info@thedallasconservatory.org for box office link. Free lawn seating in back half of park. Masks are required and social distancing enforced by Klyde Warren Park.


13 • DANCE NORTH TEXAS • NOVEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021


PERFORMANCES


NOVEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8