Introducing Faculty Member & Resident Physical Therapist Dr. Robert Tsai, PT, DPT
OC Music & Dance welcomes faculty member Dr. Robert Tsai, PT, DPT to the dance family. Regarded in the broader dance community, Dr. Rob has a growing reputation for elevating the developing dancer through movement education and application of physical health knowledge.
“I am beyond thrilled to have Rob rounding out our incredible team of educators!” shares OCMD’s Chair of Dance Tawny Chapman. “As founder of DANCE|PREHAB, Rob connects the latest physical therapy research with dance performance training building strong foundations and promoting wellness and longevity for young dancers.”
What is DANCE|PREHAB?
The demands of pursuing dance at an elite level while undergoing significant periods of growth and developmental change can take a huge toll on the developing dancer’s body, mind and spirit. “Through rehab and prehab, DANCE|PREHAB assists dancers to take active steps to address known injury-risk factors by building awareness, staying a step ahead, and preparing the dancer to minimize dance injury risk,” shares Dr. Robert Tsai.
Working closely with both students and dance faculty on a daily basis, Rob will address safe training methods, dancer-related injuries, and practices that support dancers reaching their maximal potential through weekly group classes, lectures, workshops, and access to one-one-one performance prehab and physical therapy sessions.
“Preparation and education are now more important than ever.”
Weekly Group Classes
Integrated into the weekly dance curriculum, DANCE|PREHAB classes led by Dr. Rob will meet at least once a week depending on the level and dive deep into concepts of purposeful and intentional training. Students will be divided into small group classes by age and level to ensure that class content is addressing the specific and individualized needs of each cohort. Dr. Rob adds, “These classes will focus on addressing periods of exponential growth in adolescent dancers which often coincide with a significant increase in training.”
To learn more about or to join a DANCE|PREHAB weekly group class, send an email to tawny@ocmusicdance.org.
One-on-One Performance Prehab & Physical Therapy Sessions
For dancers seeking more individualized attention, Dr. Robert Tsai and his team of licensed physical therapists are available for one-on-one Performance Prehab and Physical Therapy sessions on campus at OCMD.
Prehab sessions are coaching sessions tailored toward the dancer’s individual performance goals and include personalized exercise programs and accountability check-ins. Physical Therapy sessions are designed to address chronic or acute injuries through a combination of manual therapy techniques and corrective exercises.
“Pursuing a dance career inevitably means managing injuries, as you continue to challenge the boundaries of what it means to be an artist,” says Dr. Rob. “Injury and the recovery process means lost time, lost training, and time away from a deeply personal, as well as communal, experience.”
These one-on-one sessions provide the personalized care, support and accountability necessary to make the difficult transition from rehab to prehab.
For more information or to book a one-on-one session, visit danceprehab.com.
Seminars & Workshops
OC Music & Dance strives to not only train and educate its students, but also recognizes that parents are eager to learn how to more effectively guide and support their children to success. Periodic seminars and workshops led by Dr. Rob, the DANCE|PREHAB team, and the broader dance faculty will give students and parents the opportunity to dive deeper into topics such as self-care, avoiding burnout, coping with performance anxiety, goal setting, and more.
OC Music & Dance takes pride in its team of exceptional educators and professionals selected to guide and support students in their pursuit of excellence. The addition of Dr. Robert Tsai to this roster expands upon the school’s ability to equip students with the movement knowledge and tools necessary to experience long, healthy and happy dance journeys.
“Preparation and education are now more important than ever,” shares Dr. Rob. “It ensures that young dancers know how to appropriately prepare themselves, are aware of their limits, and at the same time aware of their potentials and how to maximize their performances without sacrificing their health, safety, or longevity as a movement artist.”
More About Dr. Robert Tsai, PT, DPT
Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Rob received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 2018 and is currently practicing in Anaheim, CA.
Rob began breakin’ in high school, and continued his movement exploration at Chapman University as an undergraduate. Rob spent 8 years auditioning and working in Los Angeles, represented by Movement Talent Agency and Bloc. As an educator, witnessing the positive effect of movement on students inspired Rob to pursue a second career in physical therapy.
Rob is a firm believer in elevating the independence, self awareness, and knowledge of health and wellness for dancers and has presented research and co-taught movement sessions alongside Dr. Van Ramshorst at conferences for the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and Performing Arts Medicine Association.