Performing Arts Fellowship

About the Program

The CUIMC/WSDPT Performing Arts Fellowship offers a diverse and dynamic evironment for post-graduate study, clinical practice, and research, with opportunities to work alongside elite dancers from the world-renowned New York City Ballet (NYCB) and the School of American Ballet (SAB). The fellowship is a full-time, 12-month program accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).

Fellow Schedule

The fellow spends 75% of each week providing clinical care as a salaried employee of the Columbia PT Faculty Practice, including backstage coverage for the Barnard Dance Program. Salary is negotiated based on years of experience and billable treatment hours.

The fellow spends 15% of each week providing clinical care at Westside Dance Physical Therapy, backstage at Lincoln Center with New York City Ballet, and with dancers at the School of American Ballet.

The remaining 10% of the fellow's time is spent in educational experiences within the Columbia Programs in Physical Therapy, including didactic learning, mentored research, and mentored teaching.

Program Features

  • 150 hours of one-on-one mentorship with performing arts physical therapy specialists:
    • PT sessions with dancers at NYCB/WSDPT
    • Shockwave and laser sessions with PT and NYCB dancers
    • PT sessions with SAB dancers (children/adolescents)
  • 1,200 hours of non-mentored clinical practice in varied settings:
    • Musculoskeletal patients at Columbia PT Faculty Practice
    • Backstage coverage for the Barnard Dance Program
    • Gyrotonic sessions with instructors and NYCB dancers
    • Strength and conditioning sessions with instructors and NYCB dancers
    • Outreach and wellness screening at the School of American Ballet
    • SAB sessions with instructors for Pilates and strength/conditioning
  • 150 hours of didactic curriculum delivered by dance medicine professionals and Columbia University faculty, covering topics such as: 
    • Injury screening in performing artists
    • Movement analysis of foundational movements
    • Clinical management of dancers
    • Musculoskeletal disorders in vocalists 
    • Clinical management of instrumental musicians
    • Figure skating and artistic gymnastics
    • Psychosocial factors in performing artists
    • Backstage triage and developing an Emergency Action Plan
    • Complex case management and return-to-performance clinical decision-making
    • Coordinating care within performing arts systems (organizational demands, rehearsal schedules, interprofessional and artistic teams)
  • The curriculum also includes:
    • A research practicum with mentorship for a performing arts-based scholarly project, to be disseminated to the professional community
    • A teaching practicum, with opportunities to teach and mentor entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students
    • Outreach to Columbia's figure skating, circus, and music programs
    • Structured reflection activities

Additional Program Expectations

  • Complete mentored clinical exams and clinical skills checklists
  • Present NYCB repertoire movement analysis presentation
  • Participate in Journal Club and Case Study presentation
  • Engage professionally through APTA, IADMS, and/or PAMA

Curriculum

The fellowship meets the comprehensive curriculum and program requirements outlined in the ABPTRFE Quality Standards for Clinical Physical Therapist Residency and Fellowship Programs and the Description of Fellowship Practice (DFP) in Performing Arts (APTA, 2016). The CUIMC/WSDPT Performing Arts Fellowship was awarded ABPTRFE accreditation on September 30, 2022.

Program Outcomes

  • 100% completion rate
  • 100% of fellows practicing in performing arts setting
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