[ENG]The 2016 IADMS Conference in Hong Kong
Photo Credit: International Association for Dance Medicine and Science
The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) is a group of dance medicine practitioners, dance educators, dance scientists, and dancers committed to enhance the health, well-being, training, and performance of dancers. Each year IADMS holds a conference, a Day for Teachers and Special Interest Groups for: dancers; dance educators; health professionals; dance movement researchers; and dance students.
The 2016 IADMS Conference will be held in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Academy for Performance Arts. The Conference will span the four-day period, 20 to 23 October, and will offer the latest in Dance Science research, movement sessions, and posters.
One of the biggest benefits of attending an IADMS Conference is getting up-to-date with the latest in dance science and dance medicine research, either formally through the many presentations or informally chatting with researchers, educators, and practitioners during the many breaks. The dance science community is small so everyone is very approachable and always willing to talk about their work. These are people passionate about helping dancers dance better and longer, with fewer injuries.
The movement sessions connect the science and practice offering participants the opportunity to explore research and ideas through moving and interacting with presenters. Unlike the research presentations - which are generally short in length - the movement sessions run about 60 minutes, giving time to experience and learn through doing, discussing, and asking questions.
In addition to the research presentations and movement sessions, poster presentations are another form of information sharing. Posters are displayed in a relaxed way so you can view them and discuss ideas with their creators. There are generally two poster presentation slots during the Conference, and they cover a wide range of topics. Friday morning the posters will focus on dance education topics to coincide with A Day for Teachers.
This year the Conference will include A Day for Teachers on Friday 21 October at a special reduced conference rate for local Hong Kong delegates. So, if you can’t spare the time to attend the full four-day conference, you can join for a special day of workshops and presentations. This year’s schedule will include a Franklin Method workshop with Morten Dithmer, a lecture on “Nutrition for Dancers” with Frankie Siu (Hong Kong Sports Institute) and a panel discussion with leading dance educators from around the world - Margaret Wilson, University of Wyoming; Edel Quin, Trinity Laban; Katy Chambers, RAD; Professor Rou Wen, Director of Scientific Research Department of Beijing Dance Academy and the Vice President of Chinese Art Medical Association.
There will also be a special round table lunch for dance educators to discuss how dance science can help dancers and dance educators. In the afternoon the delegates taking part in A Day for Teachers will be able to attend any of the main conference presentations and movement sessions. And for those who what to make a full day of it, the School of Dance will be presenting excerpts from their upcoming Dance 1 performance in the Amphitheater at 7.30pm
The IADMS Conference offers great opportunities to network because it brings together professionals from all over the world (more than 35 countries). It’s a unique chance to compare notes, talk with international colleagues, and get to know people from all over the world. Because IADMS is a small community, faces become familiar after a day or two, and this makes approaching people less intimidating. There are also social events scheduled during the Conference that allow participants to just relax and mingle. Among these are the welcome reception and a dance party on the final evening.
Having the IADMS Annual Conference here in Hong Kong is an exciting opportunity for our local community to meet colleagues from around the world, to participate in movement sessions offered by local and international dance practitioners, and learn the latest in Dance Science research. If you are a dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, physio or company manager - or anyone who works with dancers - this is an event not to be missed!
To register for the IADMS Conference or A Day For Teachers, visit their website (www.IADMS.org).
