July 7 to August 31, 2025

Professor:  Maria Haralambis

Tuition: $365 member / $440 non-member

8 Weeks; 2 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs

**Optional add-on** College Credits through Oakland University: 2

Register Here

To receive college credit for this course in addition to PDCs, you must register through Oakland University by scheduling an advising session and finalizing your registration through OU before the May 1 deadline.

In this dance science course, you will be taken on a unique journey towards unraveling the relationship between the artistry of codified dance technique and traditions and how they can (and should) coexist with modern movement science. A deeper understanding of this relationship will ultimately uplevel your dancers’ technique and future careers. The curriculum covered is designed to apply to all dance styles, environments, and ages of dance; making the course accessible and applicable to dance educators of all kinds. We will investigate and examine the scientific underpinnings that collectively assist dancers in executing movements such as powerful leaps, refined pirouettes, and elegant arabesques. This course will build the bridge between modern science and traditional dance pedagogy in a specific and practical way that prioritizes (1) teaching Anatomy & Dance Science from a young age and (2) implementing anatomy lessons into teaching dance movements (such as pirouettes). Whether you’re a ballet instructor, an early-childhood teacher, or an educator who teaches all styles, the content of this course will trickle into all environments and contexts within the dance sphere.

Book required:  Dance Anatomy by Jacqui Green Haas

Questions about this Course?  Email opdi@ndeo.org

"I liked how the course offered a variety of material, not only in terms of anatomy. I expected a lot of this course to be about the bones, muscles, organs, etc., but it was much more than that! It incorporated many social and emotional aspects, that are so important to consider as teachers."

"This course allowed me to reflect upon my teaching habits without being judgmental or feeling negative about myself. The professor did a great job of encouraging us to have a growth mindset."

"I don't think I realized just now much I learned until finishing up the final project. I actually have thought about new ways to teach anatomy in a technique class."

"It definitely opened my eyes to approaching teaching steps from an anatomical perspective, which is important for my students to know and not something I usually did in the past."

"I learned of new ways to structure my classes so that anatomy can easily be incorporated. I also learned ways to teach anatomy to my students in the context of dance, even while I am still learning it myself."

"This course validated some of my teaching practices and gave me new ideas to implement into my classes to keep them fresh.  I really liked how much feedback Professor Maria provided."

Maria Haralambis, M.Ed., NASM CES, FMT is a current Ph.D. student, Adjunct Faculty, CEO of The Dance Scientist, L.L.C. & serves major roles in the following organizations: (1) Journal of Dance Education - Peer Reviewer, (2) Doctors for Dancers - Advisory Board Member, (3) Doctors for Dancers - Marketing Committee, (4) IADMS - Promotions Committee, (5) Healthy Dancer Canada - Planning Committee, (6) Healthy Dancer Canada - Outreach and Communications Committee, (7) NDEO - National Honor Society for Dance Arts Judge & (8) NDEO - Advocacy Sub-Committee Co-Chair. She’s a Dance Scientist & Dance Educator who holds a B.S. in Dance (with Honors), an M.Ed. in Kinesiology (with Honors) and is a current Ph.D student studying Health & Human Performance. Through her Dance Science business, she helps Dancers & Dance Educators understand and apply Dance Science through Resources, Master Classes, Training Sessions, Coaching, Dance Screenings, and more. She streamlines & simplifies the scientific concepts & translates them into digestible products that are evidence-based. 

She holds certifications in Stott Pilates (including ISP) Acrobatic Arts, Cecchetti, Rock Tape, NASM Corrective Exercise, and First Aid. Her Pilates certification requires her to take CECs every year & she enjoys being able to continuously add new tools to her toolbox. She is an active member of over ten major organizations that span Dance, Dance Science, Fitness, Exercise Science, and Pilates. Through these organizations, she has attended over 50 workshops, webinars, trainings, and conferences that have each contributed to her pedagogy and teaching style.  For her Masters Thesis, she conducted her own research study in a Motor Learning lab that analyzed dancers’ balance skills using a computerized forceplate known as the Balance Master. 

Through her multidisciplinary and holistic approach, she integrates Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Psychology, Nutrition, Motor Learning, Cardiovascular Fitness, Somatic practices, and more to achieve a more integrated & effective approach for enhancing dancers’ technique and anatomical awareness. She is passionate about integrating the latest Dance Science research & anatomical principles into her instruction to help students dance safer and stronger, ultimately helping them foster a deeper sense of kinesthetic awareness. She teaches at a dance studio, an online Dance Kinesiology course to MFA students at Reinhardt University (Georgia), an upcoming course on NDEO’s OPDI platform, and has her own online courses for Dance Educators. In her pedagogy, she’s known for having a very detailed eye and a mechanical way of visualizing the body. In fact, you may see her incorporating the use of a skeleton model during class. She loves reflecting on her pedagogical methods and continuously evolving as an educator. In her free time, she loves spending time in nature and with her two Chihuahuas, Luna and Fez!