Kendra Gowdy is a Physiotherapy Resident, dance teacher, educator, and choreographer. Growing up immersed in the dance industry, she recognized a gap in resources and support for dancers, which inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare to help bridge that divide. She is passionate about ensuring dancers receive treatment and care tailored to the unique demands of their art form.

Kendra began her dance training at a young age, competing in a wide range of styles including tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, pointe, lyrical, and contemporary. After high school, she earned her Bachelor of Health Science in Kinesiology with Honours from Ontario Tech University. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered as a Student Athletic Therapist with the women’s field lacrosse and basketball teams, while also performing as a member of the varsity dance team.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Kendra received her Master’s of Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto, while continuing to teach dance and began integrating her growing physiotherapy expertise into her classes. This unique blend of clinical knowledge and artistic experience has shaped her holistic approach to both teaching and therapy.

Kendra’s passions lie in pediatric care and dance rehabilitation. Her creative and patient style fosters a safe, supportive environment that encourages clients to challenge themselves in a fun and motivating way. She values open communication and employs a whole-body and whole- mind approach, collaborating closely with clients and their families to create individualized care plans that help them reach their goals.

Kendra Gowdy is a Physiotherapy Resident, dance teacher, educator, and choreographer. Growing up ... Read More

Dr. Shanna Sullivan believes that every dancer should have the opportunity to seek proper care, treatment, and training from somebody who understands what they put their bodies through each day.

Dr. Shanna Sullivan started dancing at the age of 2 and was quickly drawn into the competitive dance world throughout her childhood. After highschool, she attended Dalhousie University where she studied Kinesiology (the study of the mechanics of body movements) and dance for the competitive university dance team.

She went on to receive her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Throughout her education, she focused on the biomechanics of dancers and functional performance training for performing artists.

Dr. Sullivan takes a functional approach to movement, and tailors’ treatments to meet the goals of each dancer. Although her title may be “chiropractor”, she uses a wide variety of techniques including myofascial release therapy (MRT), instrument assisted soft tissue therapy, manual adjustments or mobilizations, dance specific rehabilitation exercises and nutritional counseling.

Dr. Sullivan is well-known in the dance industry for her revolutionary dance science program, Dance Mechanics. She trains dancers through dance medicine to attain their goals of strength, flexibility and mobility in a safe and very effective manner.

Dr. Shanna Sullivan believes that every dancer should have the opportunity to seek proper care, t... Read More

Kaitlin Kawam is a Toronto-based Certified Athletic Therapist, dancer, educator, and choreographer with a passion for movement, athleticism, and injury prevention. With deep roots in the dance community, Kaitlin understands firsthand the unique physical demands dancers face and strongly believes that they deserve access to care that caters to these demands.

Kaitlin began her dance training at the age of 3 in Belleville (ON) where she trained extensively across multiple styles of dance, competing both nationally and internationally throughout high school. She then graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Life Sciences, majoring in Global Health and Nutrition. Kaitlin then went on to attend Sheridan College where she completed a Bachelor of Applied Health Science in Athletic Therapy, graduating with high distinction and as the recipient of the Dr. Wade Whitten Award for Clinical Excellence.

During her academic pursuits, Kaitlin remained heavily involved in the dance community by performing and training professionally, teaching at various studios across Toronto, and competing for U of T’s Varsity Blues dance team.

Her dual identity as both dancer and therapist allows her to support performers with insight, empathy, and a movement-informed approach to rehabilitation and performance enhancement. Kaitlin’s evidence-based approach to care is driven by a desire to help dancers move with confidence, reduce injury risk and unlock their full potential – on stage and in the studio.

Kaitlin Kawam is a Toronto-based Certified Athletic Therapist, dancer, educator, and choreographe... Read More