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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation for Performing Artists

The Johns Hopkins performing arts rehabilitation program aims to evaluate, treat and educate performing artists such as dancers, singers, figure skaters and musicians. Our goal is to help you express your very best in your form of art, whether it’s a hobby or a profession.

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Team | Services | Conditions We Treat | Education | Why Choose Johns Hopkins

Schedule An Appointment

Physician referrals are not required before your first appointment expect for appointments at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

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Our Performing Arts Rehabilitation Services

Please check with your health insurance provider to verify coverage for specific services.

Our performing arts therapists offer rehabilitation services within our clinics and on-site where you practice and perform.

Clinic Services

Consultations, Screenings and Assessments

You can rely on us for one-on-one professional evaluations, screenings and functional assessments. Our experienced therapists can make recommendations on improving technique or returning to performance after an injury. We also provide art-specific evaluations, such as pre-Pointe screenings and analysis of skating elements.
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Pre-Pointe Screens

We can help assess your readiness to start pointe in your dance classes. Our clinicians evaluate and assess ankle range of motion/strength, balance, lower extremity alignment and core strength specific to the technique required for ballet. We can provide recommendations for beginning pointe work and exercises to help the dancer prepare for pointe work.
Icon of a ballet dancer performing a pointe

Post-Injury Rehabilitation

Do you need help returning to art or competition after an injury? Our therapists can help with a personalized rehabilitation program. We use Pilates-based rehabilitation and other innovative techniques and equipment to help you do your best without being limited by pain.
Icon of a clinician helping a person lift weights

On-site Services

Injury Prevention & Wellness Education

Our therapists are familiar with the most common injuries in your field of art. Our team can provide personalized education and training at your location to help you remain injury-free. If your performing arts institution is interested in hosting an injury prevention workshop for a larger group, we are happy to accommodate this request.
Icon of a person practicing the correct form to lift weights.

Backstage Care

Backstage physical therapy is designed to prevent injuries that may arise from the increased workload of rehearsal and performance by providing access to care for injuries before they become severe. It supports performers onsite at the theater during rehearsal and/or performance weeks to help artists get through the performance and heal as quickly as possible.
Icon of a stage

Conditions We Treat

Performing Arts Rehabilitation: Why Choose Johns Hopkins

  • Our physical, occupational and speech-language therapists are specially trained and experienced in working with dancers, musicians, gymnasts, figure skaters, vocalists and other performers.
  • Recovery after injuries, injury prevention and performance improvement through proper posture and positioning are some of the ways our team can help you.
  • We have a former Olympic figure skater and other former professional performers on staff for technique consultation.
  • Our team has worked with and treated students from Towson University, Baltimore School for the Arts, Goucher College, Peabody Institute and other performing arts institutions across the country.
  • Performers of all ages and experiences, from preteens to artists in their 70s and beyond, are welcome in our program.

The Center for Music and Medicine

Our team also provides rehabilitation services as part of the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine (CMM). The center treats musicians such as pianists and violinists, as well as dancers, singers and other performing artists who are prone to injuries due to the repetitive motions involved in their art. With former and practicing musicians and dancers on staff, we provide the unique rehabilitation these injuries require.

In partnership with the Peabody Institute, we have opened a clinic for performing artists at Peabody. It aims to provide specialized evaluation and treatment of performance-related injuries and conditions to dancers and musicians. At this time, this location has limited hours and is open to performing artists only. Clinicians who treat at the Peabody clinic are available at our other locations.

Occupational therapist, Serap Bastepe-Gray, playing a guitar

Kimmie Meissner, former Olympic figure skater and world champion

"As an elite figure skater, I find it important to have a therapist who is on the same page as me. Having a specialist in my sport here at Johns Hopkins makes it easy to decide where to go for treatment. It puts my mind at ease knowing that I will be back to performing quickly while being monitored throughout the recovery."

Kimmie Meissner working with a physical therapist

Andrea Lasner, physical therapist and former professional dancer

"When our patients are able to return to the stage and do what they intended to do without pain and limitations, we know we’ve done our job."

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Amanda Greene, performing arts physical therapist

"A physical therapist who isn’t familiar with the requirements of playing an instrument or dancing might say, ‘We need to get you out of that position.’ But we know that’s not an option. We need to work within the constraints of what this particular technique requires."

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Our Performing Arts Rehabilitation Team

Our team consists of physical and occupational therapists, many of whom are also current or former performing artists. We have former ballet dancers, competitive figure skaters and musicians who speak your “language” and are familiar with your field of art. They work closely with your referring physician, coach or teacher, and other health care providers to coordinate your treatment.

Julie Bage | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist, C1 Schroth Certification
Expertise: orthopedics, scoliosis, performing arts
Location: Lutherville
headshot of Julie Bage

Serap Bastepe-Gray | Occupational Therapist

Expertise: performing arts - musician, hand therapy, orthopedics - upper extremity
Locations: Baltimore and Peabody
headshot of Serap Bastepe-Gray

Sofie Besser | Physical Therapist

Expertise: orthopaedics, performing arts - dancer/figure skater/musician
Locations: Lutherville
Headshot of Sofie Besser

Kathleen Criss | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Athletic Training Certified
Expertise: orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, performing arts
Location: Lutherville
headshot of Kathleen Criss

Monique Deluca | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Expertise: orthopedics, performing arts
Location: Columbia
Monique Deluca

Amanda Greene (She/Her/Hers) | Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist

Certifications: Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Expertise: breast cancer, orthopedics, performing arts - dancer/musician
Location: Lutherville
Amanda Greene

Andrew Kunin | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist, Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Expertise: orthopedics, performing arts - musician, sports rehabilitation
Location: Columbia
headshot of Andrew Kunin

Andrea Lasner | Physical Therapist, Clinical Resource Analyst, Performing Arts Physical Therapy Fellowship Director

Certifications: National Certified Pilates Teacher
Expertise: orthopedics, performing arts - dancer/figure skater/musician
Locations: Lutherville and Peabody
portrait of Andrea Lasner

David Mueller | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist, Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor (Balanced Body)
Expertise: orthopedics, performing arts - dancer/figure skater/musician
Locations: Timonium and Peabody
headshot of David Mueller

Alex Parra | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist
Expertise: congenital limb deficits, developmental delay, pediatric connective tissue disorders, pediatric dance injuries, toe walking, torticollis and plagiocephaly
Location: Lutherville
headshot of Alex Parra

Leigh Roberts | Physical Therapist

Certifications: Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist, Polestar Certified Rehabilitation Pilates Practitioner
Expertise: orthopedics, performing arts
Locations: Odenton and Peabody
headshot of Leigh Roberts

Education Opportunities for Performing Arts Therapists

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