Performing Arts Fellowship for Physical Therapists
This Johns Hopkins Hospital Performing Arts Fellowship is a clinical-based program for experienced physical therapists seeking to specialize in performing arts. The mission of this program is to provide a structured, comprehensive program of clinical, didactic and research experience to develop advanced clinical skills and management for rehabilitation of the performing artist.
Duration: 18 months
Accreditation: ABPTRFE Accredited
Apply through RF-PTCAS
Application deadline: Rolling admission
Interviews: Required
Program start: July 2025
Location: Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Green Spring Station, Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Clinic for Performing Artists at the Peabody Institute
Prerequisites: applicant must meet two of the following criteria: (1) performing arts background, (2) completion of an accredited physical therapy residency program, or (3) certification as a clinical specialist. In addition, applicant must have a valid Maryland physical therapy license or be eligible to obtain one and be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.
Completion Rate: 100%
100% of graduates are working with performing artists.
View program flyer | View financial fact sheet
Please click the pay application fee link to pay the supplementary application fee. Application will not be processed until the fee is received and application is complete. All fees are non-refundable.
Program Features
- 200 hours of one-on-one mentorship with performing arts specialists
- Over 150 hours of didactic curriculum provided by performing arts medicine professionals
- Experience with adolescent, collegiate and professional performing arts patient populations
- Participation in ongoing and innovative research designs
- Interdisciplinary collaboration, with a focus on patient-centered care
- Engage with high school, university and conservatory dance and music programs including private studios through community outreach
- Opportunities to provide backstage services
- Opportunity to attend performing arts medicine conferences
Fellowship Director
Andrea Lasner, DPT
Class of 2026
Sofie Besser, PT, DPT, ATC
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school: Purdue University, bachelor's of science in athletic training
Graduate school: Northwestern University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
Professional interests: performing arts, sports performance, orthopedics, adolescent injury prevention
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose the Performing Arts Physical Therapy Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital for the variety of clinical experiences in the community, clinic, backstage, and through connection to Peabody Institute. Mentors have a wide variety of background and the breadth of didactic content is truly representative of all performing arts disciplines. The clinics and faculty are so welcoming and supportive of my specific clinical interests and learning needs.
What I like about Baltimore: I love walking and exploring along the harbor and in the neighborhoods of Baltimore, each one has a different personality. Being from the Midwest, a perk of living in Baltimore is the easy, quick access to other major cities along the eastern United States via train/car, I have travelled to many since moving here!
Program Alumni
Lindsay Backiev, PT, DPT, OCS | Class of 2025
Graduate school: University of Southern California, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Bear, Delaware
Professional interests: performing arts, gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse communities, young athlete/artist injury prevention
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose the Performing Arts Physical Therapy Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital for its variety in clinical caseload, partnership with the Peabody Institute, and mentors. There is a lot of growth happening at Johns Hopkins and Peabody for the excellence of performing arts healthcare, and I am looking forward to honing my skills as a clinician, researcher, educator, and leader over the next 18 months.
Monique DeLuca, DPT, OCS | Class of 2021
Graduate school: Ithaca College, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Morris, New York
Professional interests: Performing arts medicine with a focus in dance; orthopedics
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of their unique performing arts physical therapy fellowship. Johns Hopkins is one of the first and only institutions in the country to provide this type of program, which allows me to become an integral part of this growing niche. Additionally, because Johns Hopkins is revered as one of the best medical institutions in the country, I hope to become one of the best by learning from the clinicians here. Ultimately, through this fellowship, I hope to learn and grow as a performing arts clinician to better serve this unique population and to fulfill my dream of becoming a leader in dance medicine.
