Tom Welsh
Professor
School of Dance
Tom Welsh is on the Dance faculty at Florida State University where he teaches Conditioning, Kinesiology, Science of Dance Training, Reformer Training, Coaching, and Research Methods for dancers. He also teaches classes and workshops for summer dance intensives at FSU and other major dance training centers. Tom wrote Conditioning for Dancers (2009) to introduce dancers to the movement sciences and he led the creation of a 23-author Research Methods in the Dance Sciences (2023) text to encourage research by dancers with dancers. Dr. Welsh and his dancer-researcher, colleagues conduct and publish empirical research on healthy approaches to training dancers.
He is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science (JDMS), he was founding chair of the IADMS Research Committee (International Association for Dance Medicine & Science), and he served as IADMS Board member, Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President. Perhaps his most important legacy will be the creation (with assistance from dancers and colleagues) of a Movement Training Lab (MTL) for dancers. Its hardware includes state-of-the-art Pilates, Gyrotonic, and fitness training equipment, and its “software” involves empirically validated training protocols, intensively trained staff, and self-directing dancers.
Tom received his most intensive dance training as a Modern Dance master’s student at the University of Utah and his most intensive research and program development training as a Behavior Science doctoral student at the University of Kansas. He learned how to teach dancers through interacting with aspiring young professionals at the University of Utah and Florida State University. The highly experienced, professional dance faculty at both institutions served as instructive exemplars.
Contact
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Western Michigan University
Master of Science in Psychology, Western Michigan University
Master of Arts in Dance Kinesiology & Education, University of Utah
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behavioral Studies, University of Kansas
Research & Teaching Areas
Dance Conditioning
Pilates for Dancers
Dance Kinesiology
Science of Dance Training
Research in the Dance Sciences
Dancer Coaching
Empirical study of healthy approaches to training dancers
Honors & Awards
Faculty Travel Grant. Funded by Office of the Provost, Florida State University, 2017
Dance Educator of the year, IADMS 2016
University Teaching Awards, FSU 1996, 2007, 2013
Select Works
Pata, D., Welsh, T., Range, V., & Bailey, J. (in press). Improving Dancer Turnout. IADMS Bulletin for Dancers and Teachers, 7 (ss) pages, 2018
Back Strengthening for Dancers. IADMS Bulletin for Dancers & Teachers, 6(2), 4-7, 2015
Brown, A. F., Bach, C. W., De Almedia, G., Leonard, S., Welsh, T., & Ormsbee, M. J. Body composition and performance capabilities based on protein intake in collegiate dancers: A pilot study. Journal of Sports Science, 5, 189-197, 2017
Pata, D., Welsh, T., Bailey, J., & Range, V. Improving turnout in university dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 18(4), 169-177, 2014
Welsh, T., Miller, L. K., & Chatfield, S. C. Within-Subject Research with Musicians. In Lee, Sang-Hie (Ed.), Scholarly Research for Musicians (pp. 16). UK: Routledge, 2017
Brown, A. F., Welsh, T., Panton, L., Moffatt, R., & Ormsbee, M. (Abstract) 75g/day supplemental protein improves lean mass index & dance performance aesthetics in female collegiate dancers. In Solomon, R., & Solomon, J. (Eds.), International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. IADMS, 2017
Dyer, V., Wilcoxon, S., Williams, G., Grossman, G., Welsh, T., Trzaskos, A., & Davidson, L. (Abstract) Creating a culture of wellness in university dance programs. In Solomon, R., & Solomon, J. (Eds.), International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. IADMS, 2017
Welsh, T., Morgan, K., Miller, L. K., Chatfield, S. C., Ambegaonkar, J., & Mainwaring, L. (Abstract) Within-subject experimental designs: A methodological alternative for dance medicine & science researchers. In Solomon, R., & Solomon, J. (Eds.), International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. IADMS, 2017