Michele Pye, PhD, LAT, ATC
Dr. Michele Pye is Assistant Professor in the Division of Athletic Training and Associate Director of the Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) and Performing Arts Health and Fitness (PAHF) Graduate Certificate Programs. Dr. Pye earned her Bachelors of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters of Science from Illinois State University both degrees focusing on Athletic Training. She obtained her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Applied Neuromechanics. Michele teaches a variety of healthcare professionals the application of their clinical skills to the specialize populations such as the performing arts community and Esports. Dr. Pye’s research focuses on characterizing neuromuscular control patterns as assessed by 1) postural control, 2) biomechanics, and 3) muscular activation, in physically active populations. Specifically, she is currently investigating neuromuscular control differences between female athletes at high risk (soccer, basketball, etc.) and low risk (dancers) of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Identification of neuromuscular differences between these populations can lead to the development of an evidence-based ACL prevention program, decreasing the risk of early-onset osteoarthritis in our young athletes.
Jacob Manley PT, DPT, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Jacob is a licensed athletic trainer, physical therapist, strength coach and graduate of Shenandoah’s Performing Arts Medicine program. Jacob has been assisting with the Performing Arts Medicine program since his graduation in 2017, serving as a clinical instructor, assisting with backstage coverage and now as an adjunct professor. He is a growing advocate for health and wellness in the performing arts – being highly active on social media and managing the Don’t Break A Leg Podcast. He has spoken internationally on strength and conditioning in the performing arts. In his free time he competes in strongman, and is a single parent to his quarantine cat Meatball.
Brandon Bryant MD
Dr. Bryant is a board-certified specialist in both orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He has more than 13 years of clinical experience, joining Inova Medical Group in 2016 after serving as an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist and Commander in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Bryant specializes in treating all disorders of the knee and shoulder, with interests in ligament reconstruction, meniscus repair and transplant, cartilage preservation, patellofemoral disorders, rotator cuff and labral tears, and biologic procedures. He maintains an avid interest in research and discovering innovative methods for treatment and prevention of orthopedic disorders. Dr. Bryant serves as the Medical Director for the Shenandoah University Master of Science in Athletic Training program and SPARC.
Christopher Chang MD
Dr. Chang is a board certified ENT surgeon with additional specialized training in laryngology and vocal disorders. Dr. Chang is an adjunct faculty for the Shenandoah University Graduate Certificate program in performing arts medicine.
Joel Grant MD
Dr. Joel Grant received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Texas in 1997. He received his Doctor of Medicine in 2001 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He completed his residency program in Front Royal, Virginia in June 2004. Dr. Grant is board certified in family medicine. Dr. Grant is a lecturer for the Shenandoah Division of Athletic Training on general medical assessment for athletic trainers and he readily will readily schedule appointments for patients referred from the SPARC.
Allison Shearer, MOT, OTR/L, CHT
Allison is a current PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alberta. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Biology from the University of Virginia in 2009, and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. Allison completed a post-graduate certificate in Performing Arts Medicine at Shenandoah University and became a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) in 2016. As a CHT, Allison specializes in the orthopedic treatment of the upper extremity and has a particular interest in treating musicians’ injuries. She has extensive experience with both traditional and virtual hand therapy services. Allison has been featured as a speaker discussing upper extremity injury prevention and management for musicians at both regional and international conferences for organizations including the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists and the Performing Arts Medical Association. She has also contributed to journals and professional publications including Clinical Ethics, Hand & Upper Extremity Rehabilitation: A Quick Reference Guide and Review (4th ed.), International Musician, and the ASHT Times.[/tab][/tabs]
Barry Parker
Dr. Barry Parker earned his BFA in theatre from the University of Florida, and M.S. and Ph.D in Strength and Conditioning Exercise Physiology respectively from Springfield College. He has worked with athletes at the DI, DII, and DIII levels as well as performing artists. He is currently the Department Chair of Exercise Science, VA/DC State Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and creator and Chair of the Performing Arts Special Interest Group with the NSCA.[/tab][/tabs]
Erica M. Helm
Erica M. Helm has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the American College Dance Festival Association, and in the Dance Education Division of the Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In 1999, Helm received an Artie Award from the Shenandoah Arts Council, recognizing her contributions to the artistic community of this region. She has received several awards from Shenandoah University, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the Wilkins Award.
As a member of the Shenandoah Chamber Dance Company, she performed throughout the Shenandoah Valley region as well as in Washington, D.C. and on tour to Trinidad. She also danced for the Honolulu City Ballet, appearing in classical and contemporary repertoire as well as performing as a guest artist with Ballet Hawaii and the Hawaii Opera Theatre. As a member of still MOVING dance company, she was engaged in a teaching and performance residency at the Harvard Center for the Arts in Boston in 2001.
Erica Helm has choreographed for The University of Hawaii Dance Theatre, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Opera Americana in Alexandria, Virginia, East Carolina University and for dance companies and madrigal ensembles in Hawaii and Texas. Her works have been presented in several Washington, D.C. venues, including the Jack Guidone Theatre, the Austrian Embassy and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as on tour in England, Spain, Scotland and China. Her choreography has also been selected by adjudication for the Annual Choreographers’ Showcase held at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, Maryland, and the Choreographer’s Showcase produced by the Reston Arts Council. [/tab][/tabs]
Shingleton, Room 27