For the past 35 years, IADMS – the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science – has held an annual conference where clinicians, researchers, and educators share their latest findings. The location changes each year, with past events taking place everywhere from London and New York to Sweden and Singapore. This year, the conference landed in glitzy Las Vegas.
As a ballet educator, choreographer and researcher, I’ve often watched the conference highlights unfold on social media with a pang of FOMO. So, when I saw the call for abstract submissions last year, I thought – why not? I was midway through my MA at Rambert School and due to finish just before the conference. I submitted a proposal titled Breaking the Binary: Expanding Gender Inclusivity in Ballet Training, based on my research.
I forgot about it for months, then in April I received the email: my abstract had been accepted. The excitement was immediate – a chance to share my research internationally and go to Vegas? Yes, please!
I handed in my dissertation just days before flying. Thankfully, my MA involved plenty of opportunities to present my work, so I felt confident in my material and used to speaking in front of an audience.
Vegas was… exactly what I expected. Slot machines greeted me at the airport. I spent my first day exploring the famous Strip, where gondolas float through indoor Venetian canals and a sparkling Eiffel Tower is within walking distance of a scaled-down Manhattan skyline. It was surreal and spectacular.
The next morning, the conference began. Public speaking with a well-rehearsed presentation? No problem. But as a neurodivergent person, I often find unscripted small talk – or should I use the dreaded word – ‘networking’ to be difficult and unenjoyable. I took a few deep breaths and went down to registration. Within minutes, I realised I didn’t need to worry. At IADMS, people just talk to you. The atmosphere was open and welcoming, with none of the cliquey vibe I’ve often felt at dance events. Everyone I met was warm, curious, and genuinely interested in making dance safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable.
The schedule was packed. I rushed between research presentations, movement sessions, and panel discussions, often wishing I could be in two places at once. The movement sessions in particular gave me fresh ideas I couldn’t wait to try in class. Like any good CPD, the experience left me energised and excited for the term ahead.
There were also optional social events including excursions, a flash mob, and a Saturday night dance party. Even as someone who doesn’t usually love ‘organised fun’, I liked that everything felt totally optional — which made me much more likely to take part.
My own session was on day three, and I was thrilled with how it went. The audience was engaged, and the questions afterwards led to some great conversations. Once it was done, I felt a sense of relief and could enjoy the final day with fresh energy.
Coming from outside traditional academia, I wasn’t sure what to expect from IADMS. But the tone of the event surprised me: it was generous, open, and collaborative. The value wasn’t just in the content but in the diversity of voices presenting it. IADMS creates space for medical and healthcare professionals to join with educators and researchers. It reminded me that dance moves forward when these groups talk to each other.
Still, I was left with one big question: how do we bridge the gap between this incredible body of research and the teachers in studios who are shaping the daily experiences of students? So much of what I heard could transform practice; the question is, how do we ensure it consistently reaches those with the most direct influence over daily training?
This has been one of the most enriching professional development experiences I’ve had – not only because of what I learned, but because of the sense of inclusion and ease I felt. If you’ve ever wondered whether you belong in a space like this, I’d encourage you to take the leap. You might be surprised by how welcome you feel.
IADMS 2026 will be held in Melbourne, and 2027 is headed to Calgary. Maybe I’ll see you there!
By Anna Morgan of Dance Informa.
