Press Story
30 Jun 2022
The Place, one of London’s leading centres for dance performance, creation and training, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie De’Ath as the new Head of Dance Science.
Formerly the Head of Student Welfare at London Studio Centre, Stephanie has worked in the dance science field for nearly a decade and takes over from Kim Hutt as Head of Dance Science at London Contemporary Dance School.
I am thrilled to be joining London Contemporary Dance School as Head of Dance Science. I look forward to leading the award-winning physical support team and working with colleagues, to continue London Contemporary Dance School’s unique exploration into applying periodisation theory to professional level dance training through a physical and psychological lens.
Stephanie De'Ath
With years of professional and research-based experience, Stephanie is a key figure in the dance science field. We are delighted that Stephanie is joining London Contemporary Dance School at an exciting time for us, particularly with the development of our work into periodisation which our team have worked remarkably on. Sustainable dance practice is at the core of our programmes, with a holistic emphasis on student physical and psychological wellbeing shaped by ground-breaking research. I look forward to seeing Stephanie lead the physical support team and do fantastic work here at the school for years to come.
Dr Lise Uytterhoeven, Director of Dance Studies at London Contemporary Dance School
Stephanie began her professional contemporary dance training at Middlesex University. During this period, she became interested in studying dancers’ health and wellbeing, which subsequently led her to study MSc Dance Science at Trinity Laban. She then qualified as a soft tissue therapist from NLSSM The School of Sports Massage, before going on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University.
Stephanie was previously Manager of the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS) and has been a lecturer in dance science at UK universities and vocational dance colleges for nearly a decade.
During her tenure at London Studio Centre, Stephanie and her team were thrilled to win the Healthcare Team Award from One Dance UK in 2021. Stephanie has a keen interest in injury epidemiology and has previously presented at International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS), winning the Student Travel Research Award. She has been an IADMS member since 2013. Alongside work, Stephanie volunteers as Chair of the IADMS Development Committee and London Regional Director for the Sports Massage Association.