Position: Physical Therapist, Dance
Department: College of Arts, Education, and Humanities
Kelly received her Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Physiology, Bachelor of Arts in Dance, and Doctorate in Physical Therapy all from DeSales University.
As an undergraduate, Kelly performed in professional and student-choreographed works at numerous venues in the Lehigh Valley area, as well as historical reconstructions originally choreographed by Doris Humphrey and José Limón. Kelly also choreographed two of her own works at DeSales and presented them throughout the Lehigh Valley.
During her graduate years, Kelly developed a passion for pursuing a career focused on injury education, treatment, and prevention, and global health and wellness for dancers. Kelly truly believes in the importance and well-roundedness of the dancer’s physical, emotional, and mental, and spiritual capacity, as well as the ability to prevent injuries and burnout, emphasizing overall health and well-being for optimal competence and proficiency of one’s craft.
Through her clinical interests of sports medicine, dance technique evaluation, and training proper body mechanics, Kelly has aided in the development and programming as Clinical Coordinator of Performing Arts Medicine with Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s. She has presented online webinars and in-person workshops to dancers on physical and mental health, global well-being, and injury prevention.
Additionally, Kelly completed the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program with SLUHN, and is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Kelly spends her free time perfecting her own skills as a dancer and choreographer for emme dance collective, a professional dance company based in Lancaster, PA. Kelly also enjoys utilizing her teaching skills and creativity as a dance teacher, choreographer, and Zumba instructor at Miss Tanya’s Expression of Dance in Nazareth, PA.