Rachel Vakassian, Class of 2027

In July 2026, I spent a Saturday shadowing a physical therapist, Morgan Pfizenmaier, PT, DPT, as she provided treatment for dancers at Jacob’s Pillow. She was super knowledgeable about the dancing body among all working bodies in general. I watched her welcome and treat dancers, interns, and various staff roles. A lot of her patients had similar problem areas, but Morgan’s treatment plan for each was unique to the individual. We saw three different patients come in with hip pain and low back tightness, but each case was handled with the same amount of expert care and resulted in a unique, individualized approach to treatment. This varied from soft tissue release to mobility exercises to dry needling, and most times, a combination of things.

When she had an open slot, Morgan allowed for “open lab” time, during which I got to practice trigger-point dry needling, cupping, hip mobilizations, and how to assess pelvic instability. In between patients, she would debrief on what she did with the patient and why, and open up the conversation for any questions I had.

Dancers need health care specialists who understand their language, technique, and physical demands on a deeper level. Oftentimes, I’ve had physical therapists who are great in their practice, but underestimate my anatomical awareness. As a Dance major, I not only observe but also embody and experience challenging movement patterns that extend beyond normal range, balancing flexibility with strength. This unique experience has allowed me to incorporate anatomical language and movement analysis early on, expanding my knowledge of the human body. Dance demands many forms of physicality, and the Springfield College Dance program does a great job exposing us to a variety of dance forms from various backgrounds and cultures. I believe this cultural awareness is just as important as the physicality, ensuring patients feel comfortable, heard, and understood on another level. I want dancers and all performing artists to feel represented and understood in my PT practice, bridging the gap between physical therapy and dance. While dancers may perform well compared to a non-dance baseline, I empathize with the importance of ensuring that their injuries or limitations are not overlooked as a result. My interdisciplinary education is actively equipping me to combine artistry with evidence‑based care, ensuring that performers receive the specialized, empathetic treatment they deserve. 

Shadowing a PT at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival has helped me see my future career in a dance-specific setting. The dance world needs more scientists and health professionals backing it, and this experience gave me a lot of hope for my own future practice. Since I’m still in my undergraduate years, I haven’t gained a ton of hands-on experience beyond my anatomy labs, so this was a good learning opportunity to witness the physical application in a dance setting. Morgan also talked about different dance companies and the PT clinics they partner with, providing me with resources for future clinicals and shadowing opportunities.

I would tell a prospective student interested in the Dance/Pre-PT to DPT program to go for it! This program has so much to offer, and is only growing from here. The small program size allows for closer faculty connections and more resources available to students. We’ve fostered a supportive, tight-knit community, I like to call family. I have learned a lot in my past three years of the program, not only about dance and physical therapy, but about myself as well. I recommend this program for any dancer looking to pursue physical therapy while continuing their love for the art form, and make a career out of it. The opportunities are endless in terms of where you can go with this creative dual degree, and the connections you’ll make while in undergrad. I could never imagine my life without dance being a part of it, and the Springfield College Dance/Pre-PT to DPT program has set me up for a profession I am passionate about. 

Arianna Crum, Class of 2029

While shadowing physical therapist Morgan Pfizenmaier, PT, DPT, at Jacob’s Pillow in July 2026, my main observation was how she was able to evaluate and create different treatment plans for people with similar injuries. Many of the patients who came to the clinic while I was shadowing complained of similar pain, yet they were all treated differently because the PT was able to determine that each patient had unique reasons for experiencing the same pain. Within a 30-minute appointment, she was able to evaluate these differences and treat everyone accordingly. Many people complain of similar issues, such as back pain, but everyone might experience it for different reasons. It is important that physical therapists are able to find and treat these different causes.

Prospective students should consider the Dance/Pre-PT major because I have gained valuable experience in both dance and physical therapy, while also seeing how these fields can interact. I chose this major because I would be able to study both of my interests without compromising either field of study. I’ve been able to learn that dance and physical therapy are actually more connected than I thought. It is also valuable that I have already been accepted into the Springfield College graduate DPT program and won’t need to reapply.