Judith Steel is an Associate Professor in VCUarts' Department of Dance and Choreography. A Certified Movement Analyst, she teaches contemporary dance, choreography, and dance science. As a 2024 Fulbright Scholar, she taught in Latvia and has conducted international workshops in Russia, Denmark, and Scotland. Education: M.A. in Dance from University of Colorado; Certified Movement Analyst (Laban Bartenieff Institute). Research Focus: Integrates Laban Movement Analysis with dance pedagogy and injury prevention through collaborations with physical therapists and performing arts medicine organizations. International Engagement: Fulbright Scholar in Latvia (2024) Movement workshops in Moscow, Russia (2018) Guest artist at National School for Modern Dance, Copenhagen
Sarah Fdili-Alaoui is Reader (Associate Professor) at University of the Arts London's Creative Computing Institute, specializing in interaction design, dance technology, and embodied computing. With 30+ years as a choreographer and Laban Movement Analyst, she pioneers research at the intersection of dance and technology. Key research areas: Interactive dance performance systems Somatic interfaces for creative practice Movement computing for dance documentation Critical approaches to AI in arts Recent publications (2022-2025) focus on bodily awareness in HCI, creative AI applications, and counter-choreographies for data awareness. Articles demonstrate strong methodological innovation through autoethnography, soma design, and practice-led approaches. Awarded Best Paper at CHI 2024 and DIS 2024. Leads the ANR-funded Living Archive project on dance preservation and PEPR Ensemble initiative for AI-art collaborations. Supervises 7 PhD students in projects spanning soft robotics, archival AI, and maternal-cyborg interfaces.
Eric Hinton is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Susquehanna University. He leads the University Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Stadium Band, while teaching courses in conducting, brass methods, and wind orchestra literature. He holds a PhD from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and degrees from Northwestern University. Education: PhD in Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire MM in Music, Northwestern University BM in Music, Northwestern University Research & Professional Work: Dr. Hinton's expertise focuses on conducting techniques, wind ensemble performance, and the application of Rudolf von Laban’s movement theory to musical expression. His 2008 book, Conducting the Wind Orchestra , explores gesture and expressive potential in performance. He has conducted ensembles across Europe and the U.S., including the U.S. Army Europe Band and the Pennsylvania All-State Concert Band. Labs/Teams: Directs the High School Wind Ensemble Institute, a residential summer program, and oversees multiple university bands.
Dr. Susan R. Koff is a Clinical Professor of Dance Education at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. With over 30 years of experience, she has held leadership roles including Director of the Dance Education Program at NYU and Director of the Graduate Dance and Dance Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her work focuses on redefining dance education through global perspectives, curriculum innovation, and equity initiatives. Her research explores creativity in dance, cross-cultural pedagogy, and the intersection of dance with broader educational policy. Key contributions include revising New York State's dance education standards and leading professional development programs for arts standards implementation in New York and New Jersey. As a Fulbright Scholar, she collaborated with the National School of Contemporary Dance in Copenhagen, demonstrating her international impact. Dr. Koff is a founding board member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and served as past Chair of Dance and the Child International (daCi), a UNESCO affiliate. She co-authored an interdisciplinary arts standards guide through the National Arts Education Consortium and contributed to global dance education projects through World Dance Alliance summits. Her publications span books, journals, and conference proceedings addressing topics like pandemic-era pedagogy, racial justice in dance education, and Laban movement analysis. Over 15 peer-reviewed articles highlight her scholarly rigor across dance leadership, curriculum design, and global educational practices.
Kathy Diehl is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Colorado Mesa University, where she serves as an educator, choreographer, and Artistic Director for university dance concerts. A Certified Laban Movement Analyst (CLMA), Certified Evans Teacher (CET), and Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME), she integrates somatic principles into dance pedagogy with additional certifications in Franklin Method, yoga, pilates, and Shin Somatics. Her educational background includes: MFA in Performance and Choreography from The College at Brockport MSW with Mental Health Concentration from Case Western Reserve University BA in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh Diehl's research centers on somatic integration in dance education , specializing in ballet pedagogy reform and improvisational practices . She challenges traditional techniques through investigations of mirror usage, somatic ballet development, and wellness-focused training methodologies. Her work emphasizes embodied cognition , psychological safety in dance studios, and collaborative meaning-making between dancers and educators. Her publications (2016-2023) reveal evolving scholarship from technical ballet analysis toward interdisciplinary connections with feminism and social justice. Key trends include reframing ballet through somatic lenses, examining improvisation's role in classical forms, and extending pedagogical research into poetic expression as demonstrated by her 2023 Feminist Wire publication. Notable honors include: Top choreography honor at 2019 Body Logic Festival for "Triangulation" Gala selections for "Shadows and Light" (2023) and "Inner Workings" (2019) at ACDA Northwest Regional Conferences Diehl mentors dance students through performance opportunities at national conferences including ACDA and Somatic Dance Conference. Her artistic direction of Colorado Mesa University's New Horizons and Finding Joy Dance Concerts provides practical training grounds for student choreographers and performers. She leads the university's dance program from Moss Performing Arts Center, maintaining professional engagement through her website (www.kathydiehl.com) and collaborative projects like the TED Talk "Moving to Connect" with Laura Bradley, Kara Farmer, and Cassidy Phillips.
Liz Maxwell is an Associate Professor of Dance at Chapman University 's College of Performing Arts , specializing in somatic disciplines, modern dance techniques, dance history, and choreography. She holds a BFA from The Juilliard School and an MFA from University of Washington 's returning professional program. Her teaching integrates somatic education with contemporary practices. Education : BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School, MFA in Dance from University of Washington Certifications : Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (CLMA), Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME) Maxwell's research focuses on Dance Aesthetics , Somatic Pedagogy , and Technology Integration in Performance . Recent works explore virtual perspectives in dance, gender-neutral performance spaces, and reconstructing historical works with modern interpretations. Her scholarship examines curricular development and the psychological impact of teaching practices. Notable scientific awards include: Two Bessie Awards (Laura Dean's Impact, Donald Byrd's The Minstrel Show) $5,000 Grant for Paul Taylor's Esplanade staging Maxwell's choreographic output demonstrates evolving trends: 2023 works show increased focus on collaborative student works and gender discourse 2015-2016 projects emphasize somatic philosophy and historical reconstruction 2018-2020 experiments integrate dance-film technology 2016 academic presentations address curricular reform and interdisciplinary collaboration Her teaching innovations include co-developing courses on somatic movement, developing collaborative dance/music concerts with Nick Terry, and pioneering virtual technology applications in live performance. She lives in Altadena, CA and has been at Chapman since 2005.
Hazem Ziada is a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester School of Architecture, Manchester Metropolitan University. His work bridges architectural theory, urbanism, and crowd dynamics, with a focus on spatial configurations, Soviet Rationalism, and digital media's role in collective life. Fields of Interest: Urbanism, Crowd Dynamics, Digital Architecture, Soviet Architecture, Sacred Spaces, Spatial Theory, Political Protest Design Ziada's research explores the intersection of physical and digital spatial experiences, particularly in contexts like Tahrir Square and Soviet-era assemblies. He analyzes how architecture shapes collective behavior, kinesthetic interactions, and socio-political symbolism. His work spans historical studies of Middle Eastern sacred spaces to contemporary digital crowds. Key trends in his publications include: Decoding urban palimpsests through cartography Investigating affective urbanism via digital media Reinterpreting Soviet Rationalist spatial strategies Examining sacred architecture's cultural diversity Analyzing drawing's role in subjectivity formation Ziada's methodological approach combines architectural theory with urban analysis, often integrating philosophy (e.g., Mark Hansen's System-Environment Hybrids) and historical cartography. His fieldwork in Cairo and theoretical frameworks contribute to debates on spatial politics and collective memory.
Claudia Brazzale is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Performance Practices and Dance at the University of East London (UEL), where she co-directs the Centre for Performance and Creative Industries (CPAD). With a PhD in Culture and Performance from UCLA and an MA in Performance Studies from NYU, her work bridges dance, ethnography, and digital media. She is certified in Iyengar Yoga and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). PhD in Culture and Performance (UCLA) MA in Performance Studies (NYU) FHEA, ORCID: 0000-0002-8781-1994 Her research interrogates the politics of mobility, globalization, and cosmopolitanism through the moving body, spanning dance training, domestic spaces, and consumer culture. She has explored Afropean choreographies, West African dance in Italy, and the intersection of space, migration, and somatic practices. Her creative outputs include video-dance works, documentaries, and exhibitions such as Hand Addressed, Digital Postcards Series 1 (2024). Notable projects include collaborations with Alan Lomax’s Choreometrics system, consultancy for Riva Freifeld’s documentary America’s West-Europe's Myth , and co-authorship of works on digital activism and urban mobility. Her publications focus on cultural studies, performance theory, and transnational identity formation. Scientific Awards International Postdoctoral Grant, American Association University of Women (AAUW) Chancellor's Fellowship, UCLA She has taught at institutions including Princeton, UCLA, and Trinity Laban, and served as a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University and London South Bank University. Her pedagogy integrates somatic practices, choreographic experimentation, and critical theory across modules like Rethinking Choreography: Bodies, Sites and Digital Spaces .
Deborah Szapiro is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Design and Society of the University of Technology Sydney , where she teaches in Animation Studio. Her work bridges animation, interaction design, and social robotics, focusing on embodied communication and emotional engagement in robots. She actively supervises Master of Animation (coursework) and PhD/Master’s research students , emphasizing creative industries' role in ethical technology development. Founder of Japanime Film Festival Co-director of Sydney International Animation Festival Specializes in Indigenous animation and women animation directors Research interests include: Social robotics aligned with UNICEF SDGs Human-robot emotional engagement Cultural competency in robotic design Animation as cultural resilience Her funded research with Honda Research Institute Japan spans: 2025: Target Scene C update 2024: Pediatric hospital applications 2023: Intelligent agent laws 2022: Memory Palace project 2021: The Talking Room 2019-2018: Multiple Haru robot iterations Award-winning media producer with: AFI, Dendy, ATOM, IF awards PATHE, Shell Canada, BANFF Television Award Gordon Bruce award for Humour Professional memberships include: SIRC (Socially Intelligent Robotics Consortium) IEEE ASIFA Society for Animation Studies Asia Pacific Screen Awards jury
Michael Klien is a Professor of the Practice of Dance at Duke University's Dance Program, affiliated with the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. He leads the Laboratory for Social Choreography at the Kenan Institute for Ethics. Educated at the University of Edinburgh (Ph.D., 2009) and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance (B.A., 1996), his work bridges choreography, critical writing, and interdisciplinary art. His research focuses on social choreography, ecological systems, and political thought, emphasizing embodied practices to explore societal structures. Notable projects include the Parliament series and collaborations with institutions like the Athens Festival and Martha Graham Dance Company. He advises Bass Connections initiatives addressing displaced populations through performing arts. His artistic practice challenges conventional choreographic frameworks, prioritizing relational dynamics and ethical engagement. Recent works like The Utopians and Constitution
Prof. Margot C. Groot is a Professor in Theater Pedagogy at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology, based at the Lingen Campus. She has been teaching Movement and Movement Theater since the 1998 winter semester and became an Honorary Professor in 2001. Her expertise spans movement analysis, body awareness, and Laban-based methodologies. Education: Studied Dance Expression at Amsterdam’s theaterschool and movement analysis at Laban Institut in London. Further studies in Integrative Movement Therapy and Psychomotorics at the Free University of Amsterdam under Niek Brouw. Professional Experience: Taught for 16 years at the Utrecht School of the Arts (NL), focusing on movement pedagogy and theater. Operates a private practice since 1997 specializing in body awareness and kinesiology (‘stilstaan en bewegen’). Research Interests: Movement expression, anatomical applications in theater, Laban movement theory, and somatic education. Publications include seminal works on mindful movement training and diagnostic methods rooted in anatomical principles. Professional Activities: Advises on creative movement pedagogy and collaborates with theater groups. No listed awards, but contributions to applied theater and movement education are widely recognized in academic circles.
Prof. Mone Welsche is a Professor for Developmental Support in Childhood and Adolescence at KH Freiburg. Their academic background includes a PhD in Movement Sciences from the University of Hamburg (Doctor of Sport Sciences), an M.A. in Somatic Studies and Laban Analysis from the University of Surrey (UK), and a Diploma in Special Education and Rehabilitation from the University of Dortmund, focusing on movement education and therapy. Professional Career Highlights: 2010–present: Full Professor at KH Freiburg 2004–2010: Junior Professor at the University of Hamburg (Movement and Sport Education with a focus on Movement Diagnosis and Counseling) 2009–2010: Freelance lecturer, movement analyst (e.g., FU Berlin research project on "Gestures in Alexithymia"), and certified pedagogue 2007–2009: Movement therapist and pedagogue at the Martin-Gropius-Eberswalde Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, specializing in therapy conceptualization and parent support Research focuses on movement-based approaches in curative education, mental health interventions for youth, and developmental support strategies. Expertise spans interdisciplinary therapy integration (music, art, movement), diagnosis, and family-oriented therapeutic interventions.
Belle Baggs is a **Clinical Associate Professor**, **Co-Program Coordinator**, and **Dance Studio Co-Director** at the University of Idaho's Department of Movement Sciences within the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. She holds an M.F.A. in Modern Dance from the University of Utah (2011) and a Certified Laban Movement Analyst (CLMA) certification from Integrated Movement Studies (2010). Her work bridges dance performance, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. **Education**: M.F.A., Modern Dance, University of Utah, 2011 Certified Laban Movement Analyst (CLMA), Integrated Movement Studies, 2010 Anusara Yoga Teaching Certificate (in progress) **Research & Teaching Focus**: Modern Dance technique, somatic practices, improvisation, and Laban Movement Analysis. She emphasizes embodiment, interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., dance/yoga/sculpture), and social justice through art. **Awards**: Recipient of the Diane B. Walker Dance Faculty Endowment Award (2015, 2017), ASUI Fine Arts Grant (2014), and University of Utah’s Dee R. Winterton Award (2011). **Outreach & Grants**: Founded the BASK Art Collective (ASUI-funded), organized the Dance Your Ph.D. event, and serves on the Idaho Dance Education Organization Board. Her projects include community workshops like 'Playing with Strength' and 'Labels and Layering'. **Labs/Teams**: Involved with the University of Idaho’s Dance Performance programs, Biomechanics Lab, and collaborative initiatives with artists across disciplines.
Leslie Bishko is an Associate Professor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Her research focuses on animation, nonverbal communication in virtual worlds, and Laban movement analysis. She has published extensively on the intersection of animation principles with movement theory. Her work explores how animation techniques can enhance character believability and emotional expression. Recent publications analyze virtual communication paradigms and movement frameworks for digital characters.
Tiza Garland is an Associate Professor and School Director at the University of Florida's School of Theatre + Dance. She specializes in Movement for the Actor, Stage Combat, and Period Styles Movement. Her certifications include Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) in Laban Movement Analysis, and certifications from the National Michael Chekhov Association, Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat (BASSC), and Dueling Arts International. Education: PhD in Fine Arts (Texas Tech University), MFA in Theatre Pedagogy (Virginia Commonwealth University), and BA in Theatre, Spanish, and Asian Studies (Western Michigan University). Research interests focus on integrating movement techniques, stage combat pedagogy, and interdisciplinary training in theatre education. She has extensive training in Grotowski-based work, Meyerhold's Biomechanics, and aerial dance. Professional service includes leadership roles in the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), where she served as President (2015–2018) and held multiple committee chairs. No notable scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned. She has taught workshops nationally and internationally, emphasizing movement and combat training for theatre professionals. Her work is centered in the Nadine McGuire Theatre Pavilion, Room #226, contributing to the university's theatre programs and community engagement.
