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Hosted by: Tara Christensen PT, MS, DPT

Guest: Todd Shanks

In this episode (Episode description/overview):

We welcome Todd Shanks to the podcast!

Todd has a long resume full of dance, choreography and teaching experience.  

As a performer he has danced in TV commercials, music videos, and programs including “The View” and “Good Day NY”.  He also performed on field at Gillette stadium on field for the 2015 and 2017 NFL Kickoff shows featuring T-Pain and FloRida.

As a choreographer his experience ranges from the studio to the stage, to television and even the ice skating rink.

As a teacher, Todd was on faculty at Steps on Broadway for over a decade, has been a guest choreographer at numerous universities, dance companies and private studios across the US.  He is currently the Program Coordinator for the Palladino School of Dance and a full time Artist In Residence at Dean College.  You can also find him on tour with Manhattan Dance Project and Dance Educators of America.

In this episode, Todd  shares his expertise on tap dance training, warm-up routines, injury prevention, and the importance of mental health in dance. Perfect for dancers, teachers, and parents looking to enhance their tap practice and understanding.

We cover:

• Tap warm-up techniques tailored for tap dancers
• Injury prevention strategies specific to tap dance
• The importance of core stability and balance in tap
• Cardiovascular training for dancers
• Choosing the right shoes for safety and performance
• Mental health and burnout in dance students
• Historical and stylistic considerations in tap trickery
• Adjudication perspectives on tricks and safety
• Cross-training and proprioceptive exercises for dancers
• The role of music and rhythm in warm-up and performance

Follow Todd on Instagram: @toddshanks

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