Pennsylvania Chapter
American Dance Therapy Association
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the
American Dance Therapy Association
PA ADTA Chapter Officers
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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 Common-wealth 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
Public Relations
Sara Earl, MS, R-DMT, NCC
Sara has been facilitating movement experiences for over two decades in recreational, clinical and educational environments. In 2022 she grounded
this broad practical experience in the theoretical validity of Dance/Movement Therapy through alternate route certification. Sara currently serves as Assistant Clinical Program Manager and the resident Dance/Movement Therapist
at an inpatient treatment facility specializing in eating disorders. D/MT
is a second career for Sara, having previously evolved from visual commu-nications into project, product and business management. Sara lives just outside of Philadelphia in Bala Cynwd with her husband and three daughters, all of whom love to dance. Sara is also serving concurrently on the ADTA's national public relations committee.
Job Description: Manages communications to membership and regionally promotes chapter events, the ADTA and D/MT.
Contact: paadta.publicrelations@gmail.com
Rachel Greene, MA, BC-DMT, LPC
Rachel (she/her) graduated from Drexel's Creative Arts Therapy & Counseling Program in 2011 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2015. Serving as Assistant Director of Child Therapy at Equilibria Psychological and Consulta-tion Services (group private practice in the greater Philadelphia area), she enjoys facilitating connection through learning opportunities and providing clinical support among the child and adolescent therapists at the practice. Rachel also holds a caseload of both adults and young clients, which feels like a healthy balance. In her free time, she enjoys playing, dancing, and singing with her 4-year old kiddo, and finding local adventures with her wife and teenage stepson.
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.
Programming Co-Chairs
Job Description: 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@gmail.com
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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.
Coral Torres, MA, BC-DMT
Coral graduated from Drexel's D/MT program in 2015. As a clinician at Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, she worked with children ages 2 ½- 5 years old with significant behavioral challenges and varying degrees of trauma. Coral went on to establish the first D/MT Program in the New Jersey VA Healthcare System, working with diverse Veteran/Military populations and issues such as geriatrics and sexual and combat-related trauma. In her current role as a Patient Advocate, Coral helps Veterans navigate the complexities of the system using a person-centered and collaborative approach. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Coral identifies as a Latina and is excited to join the board and to represent the Latinx D/MT community.
Nominating Committee C0-Chairs
Job Description: Prepare a slate of officers, accept nominations from
membership, prepare and distribute ballots
Contact: paadta.nominations@gmail.com
Multicultural & Diversity Committee C0-Liaisons
Job Description: Serve as a bridge to 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
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.
Jordyn Savage, MA, BC-DMT, LPC
Jordyn Savage (she/her) graduated from Drexel’s D/MT program in 2019. Since graduating she has primarily worked with children diagnosed with ASD, adolescents and their families. Jordyn currently works at an integrated health center and in private practice where she provides individual, family and group therapy to children and adults. In practice, she aims to foster a space that provides clients with a sense of agency to be confident in exploring their full authentic selves through play, movement & connection. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, dancing, spending time with friends, exploring Philly, and reading.
Marien Alejandro
A Northern Virginia native, Marien “Mari” Alejandro is currently pursuing a MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling at Drexel. The intersection of movement and art along with the power of both mind and body healing have always been driving forces in her life. Marien is passionate about helping people recover from injuries while finding joy and ease within motion again through the GYROTONIC® method as well. She believes in holistic practices and strives to make others thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Marien is currently based out of Philadelphia, PA after being in NYC for 9 years.
Lauren Fader
Lauren (she/her) is currently studying to be a Dance/ Movement Therapist in the Creative Arts Therapy program at Drexel University. She has experience working with children in educational settings and is eager to begin using her growing knowledge of arts therapies to connect with children and other populations in need within Philadelphia. Lauren currently lives in Old City, where you will find her going on long walks through the city or cozying up with her cats in her spare time.