Dance alliance to meet in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — In an effort to ensure the Connecticut Dance Alliance is more easily accessible to all, the organization has established Regional Chapters throughout the State of Connecticut. The next meeting of the Connecticut Dance Alliance’s Southern Central CT Region is scheduled for Sunday, June 24, 3:30-5:45 p.m. The meeting will be hosted by Vinnies Jump & Jive, 424 Main St., Middletown. The meeting is free and open to anyone with an interest in dance. We welcome dancers, dance educators, dance administrators, dance enthusiasts and anyone in an industry that collaborates in any way with dance.

The meeting will include a lecture demonstration by Nelly Lugo-Larcheveque, PT; time for networking; snacks; remarks by and discussion with members of the Board of Directors from the CDA and the Southern Central CT Regional Coordinator Linalynn Schmelzer.

Nelly Lugo-Larcheveque, PT will review approaches and research data regarding preseason fitness, screenings, other healthy steps taken to reduce risk of injury among dancers. We will review dance related injuries and recommendations for developing an environment to facilitate communication, early detection, rehabilitation and management of injuries.

Lugo-Larcheveque, is an orthopedic certified specialist and doctor of physical therapy, in practice since 1992. Her specialization in dance medicine and Pilates based rehabilitation began in 1993 under the mentorship of her first administrator, Jeanne Connell PT, advisement of Jann Dunn MS, clinical observation of Marika Molnar PT, and conferences/membership with the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.

Her dance medicine experience started with the Hartford Ballet under the directorship of Kirk Peterson and the Hartt Dance division with Enid Lynn and Peggy Lyman. She has continued to consult for the Hartt dance and music theater divisions along with contracting with dance and musical productions travelling through CT at the Bushnell, Jorgenson theater and other local Universities. She has provided injury assessments, screening, and injury prevention lectures for local dance companies and schools. She is a certified Pilates teacher through the Pilates Method alliance and has served as an educator and mentor for Polestar Pilates since 2000. Other clinical specializations include Cyriax technique, Biomechanical evaluation and orthotics prescription, and Graston technique. Past to present personal experiences include bodybuilding, gymnastics, track and field, Ballroom, Dance, Pilates, Gyrontonic, Taekwondo, the Tough Mudders, 5K, 10K, and ½ marathon runs. Memberships include PMA, IADMS, and APTA.

If you are interested in attending, RSVP to Linalynn Schmelzer at linalynn2@gmail.com or 860304-8459.