PA Chapter of the American Dance Therapy Association
Our Board Members
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President
Amy Ruzic, MA, BC-DMT, LPC
Amy (she/her) graduated from Drexel’s Creative Arts Therapy & Counseling Program in 2002, and the majority of her clinical work as a Dance/Movement Therapist has supported marginalized children and teens in Philadelphia schools. She is honored to witness the creative freedom and connection that D/MT brings to neurodiverse students with emotional differences. Amy also works with young children and their families in an expressive & play therapy group practice in the Philadelphia suburbs. She enjoys the opportunities to collaborate with caregivers using playful and affirming approaches. Amy supervises graduate students and new professionals seeking board-certification and licensure. She enjoys gardening, listening/singing/dancing to music, traveling and eating well.
Job Duties: Support and hold space for the amazing Board Members, act as a Liaison for the National ADTA
Contact: paadta.president@gmail.com
Secretary
Taylor Sparks, MA, R-DMT
Taylor (she/her) is a dance artist and dance/ movement therapist from Norfolk, VA. In 2018 Sparks graduated with honors from Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a BFA in Dance and Choreography. She relocated to Philadelphia, PA where she became a member of Philadanco II, Apprentice Company. Sparks recently obtained her MA in Dance/ Movement Therapy and Counseling at Drexel University, summa cum laude. She has worked with the Children and Family Art Therapy Center through their Camp Pegasus social skills summer program. She is currently a school-based therapist in North Philadelphia, where she provides mental health support to K-8 students. Sparks continues her dance practice as an instructor and a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheer Team.
Job Duties: Keep record of proceedings, maintain membership roster, e-mail correspondence, monthly newsletter of chapter happenings
Contact: paadta.secretary@gmail.com
Treasurer
Kristin Pollock, MA, BC-DMT, LPC, ACS
Graduating from Antioch New England in 2001, Kristin (she/her) has been working as a Dance/
Movement Therapist for over 20 years, mostly with children and adolescents. Currently she is a Primary Therapist in an Adolescent PHP program, where she also supervises newer clinicians and clinical interns. Kristin teaches a Group Practicum Seminar at Rider University for their Mental Health Counseling and D/MT certificate Program. Kristin has served our professional D/MT community in many ways over the years. She has served on the WI State chapter as Vice President, Newsletter Editor for the Central ADTA chapter, acted as Vice President for the PA chapter, served on the NJ Licensure Task Force for 4 years, served as the NJ Government Affairs Chair and as the Government Affairs Chair on the ADTA Board of Directors. Kristin lives in NJ with her husband, son and two dogs, Buzz & Woody. She is dedicated to moving the profession forward into public awareness and jobs.
Job Description: Maintain all financial records, manage bank account, prepare and submit
taxes and budget
Contact: paadta.treasury@gmail.com
Program Co-Chair
Renee Kurtz, MA, BC-DMT, LPC
Renee (she/her) currently lives in Lancaster, PA. She is a 2018 graduate from Drexel University. She loves working with little kiddos through adults, and currently works at an outpatient group practice offering dance therapy, integrated play and psychotherapy supporting a range of needs. Fun fact: making (and eating!) sourdough bread is one of her favorite forms of self-care.
Job Duties: Coordinate workshops, learning opportunities, and Continuing Education for the PA ADTA membership and beyond
Contact: paadta.programming@gmail.com
Program Co-Chair
Marie King-Linares
Job Duties: Coordinate workshops, learning opportunities, and Continuing Education for the PA ADTA membership and beyond
Contact: paadta.programming@gmail.com
Government Affairs Liaison
Elizabeth McNamara, MA, BC-DMT, LPC, NCC
Elizabeth (she/her) graduated from Drexel's Creative Arts Therapy graduate program, and works in private practice with individuals and couples through life transitions, relationship issues, and trauma. She loves playing in nature, traveling, chocolate, and
a dance floor.
Job Description: Resource regarding PA legislation, liaison with National GAC chairperson
Contact: paadta.governmentaffairs.com
Nominating Co-Committee
Emilie Flynn, MA, LPC, R-DMT
Emilie Flynn (she/her) graduated from Drexel’s Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling Graduate Program in 2018. Since graduation, she has worked with children with ASD, Anxiety, & ADHD in home, classroom and private practice settings. She is currently working as a Clinical Supervisor of an IBHS program and as a therapist at her private practice. On the weekends she enjoys volunteering at a local dance studio and taking family walks with her dog.
Job Description: Prepare a slate of officers, accept nominations from membership, prepare and distribute ballots
Contact: paadta.nominations@gmail.com
Multicultural & Diversity Committee
Co-Liaison
Maria Gismondi, R-DMT, CYT-200
Maria (she/her) is a process-oriented teaching artist, Dance/Movement Therapist, and Certified Yoga Teacher who holds undergraduate degrees in Theater and Education from California Univeristy of PA, and a Master of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute. A long performer with over two decades of professional experience in theater and dance, her current focus is supporting creative process engagement, exploring the mind/body connection, and celebrating the joy of movement with as many people as possible. Maria lives in Pittsburgh with her partner, two children, and two cats, where she provides in-person D/MT groups to community agencies, schools and inpatient units through a local non-profit; and telehealth-based Creative Arts Therapy and contemplative services through a national intensive outpatient program for highly acute teens and young adults. She also works as a yoga instructor and somatic-based facilitator for multiple organizations, including her own endeavor, Embodied Mind Wellness. Maria has been on the PA board since 2020 and as part of the national MDC Leadership Committee. She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, and a passionate advocate for queer mental health.
Job Description: Serve as a bridge between the PA ADTA Chapter, the Multicultural & Diversity Committee Leadership Team, and the ADTA at large; facilitate connections and support for traditionally underrepresented and culturally diverse members to encourage member recruitment and retention; support cultural competency of PA Chapter members
Contact: paadta.MDCLiaisons@gmail.com
Drexel Student Representative
Anna Mortone
Anna (she/her) is currently studying to become a Dance/Movement Therapist at Drexel University's Creative Arts Therapy and Counseling program. Before moving to Philadelphia for graduate school, she lived in Vermont for many years, where she worked within the social services and creative arts spheres. Movement and dance have been constant threads in her life, and she is eager and excited to continue exploring the relationship between mind and body through a creative arts therapy lens. Anna has a deep love for the outdoors and can often be found in the mountains when she is not in school or working.
Contact: am5374@drexel.edu
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Nominating Co-Committee
Daniella Brown, MS, R-DMT
Daniella (she/her) graduated from Temple University with a degree in Sociology and Pratt Institute with a degree in Dance/Movement Therapy. She is grateful that she can bring her unique blend of dance education and dance as therapy. She has a passion for supporting small children through neurodiversity-acceptance and cultural responsiveness. Daniella currently runs the dance program at Settlement Music School’s Germantown Branch, offering a diverse range of styles including Jazz, African, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Modern. She also works with families and children at two different private practices and offers sensory-safe spaces to children with sensitivities. She has aspired to join the PA board, and is eager to collaborate with fellow D/MT's in Pennsylvania.
Job Description: Prepare a slate of officers, accept nominations from membership, prepare and distribute ballots
Contact: paadta.nominations@gmail.com
Multicultural & Diversity Committee
Co-Liaison
Ja'Nae Lewis, MA, BC-DMT, LPC
Ja'Nae (she/her) is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families. She specializes in supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and navigating life transitions. Outside of her professional life, she thrives on being outdoors, indulging in delicious food, cherishing moments with loved ones, and embarking on memorable vacations.
Job Description: Serve as a bridge between the PA ADTA Chapter, the Multicultural & Diversity Committee Leadership Team, and the ADTA at large; facilitate connections and support for traditionally underrepresented and culturally diverse members to encourage member recruitment and retention; support cultural competency of PA Chapter members
Contact: paadta.MDCLiaisons@gmail.com
Drexel Student Representative
Paige Valego
Paige (she/they) is a first-year master's student in Drexel's Creative Arts Therapy program who currently lives in West Philly. Their modality is Dance/Movement Therapy, and they are excited to explore working with different populations with a range of needs. In her spare time (what a concept!), Paige can be found crocheting on her couch with her cat Chicken or reading a book in a cafe. As a studet representative, Paige is excited to get involved with the PA ADTA Chapter, and begin meeting other professionals in the field while actively advocating for the needs of their peers.