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Mary Burns

Teaching Assistant Professor
Exercise & Sport Science University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Mary Burns's office hours

Monday
noon to 1 p.m.
Tuesday
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday
noon to 1 p.m.
Thursday
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday
noon to 1 p.m.

Mary Burns

Teaching Assistant Professor

Exercise & Sport Science

Specialty area(s)

Dance Education & movement analysis.

Fully certified (all equipment & Pilates for Dancers) in Pilates, Zena Rommett Floor-Barre, Evans-Bartenieff Teaching, & Personal Trainer (NASM).

Brief biography

A movement instructor in colleges & professional dance studios in NYC, Texas & Chicago, including DNA, Ballet Chicago, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, & Lou Conte/Hubbard Street Dance for four decades, Mary is now a faculty member in the Zena Rommett Floor Barre Certification specializing in Anatomical breakdown, as she utilizes her joy of teaching here at UWL in Dance Appreciation! With a Ph.D. in Dance Education from NYU’s School of Education, she is certified in multiple dance techniques: Simonson dance technique; teacher certified in Evans/Bartenieff technique; and Zena Rommett Floor-Barre®. A BASI full apparatus Pilates for Dancers Specialist, with the PMA certification as well, Mary’s career is dual-fold; assisting both dancers and all humans in both postural & daily technique improvement to decrease rate of injury; and further increase teacher knowledge in anatomy, kinesiology & movement analysis, for safer teaching from the start! 

Current courses at UWL

ESS 104 - Dance Appreciation

HPR 105 - Creating A Healthy, Active Lifestyle - Pilates, Core Strength

Zoom classes in Pilates for Dancers & Floor Barre.

Education

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education; May 2005. Dance Education; Movement Analysis, Dance Injury & Prevention & Arts Administration.

MASTER OF ARTS Teachers College, Columbia University; October 1990.

Dance Education w/Studies in Higher Education Administration.

BACHELOR OF ARTS Barnard College, with distinction. January 1989.

Program in the Arts/Dance major; Economics minor.

 

TEACHER CERTIFICATIONS

Zena Rommett Floor-barre® Certification. August 2018. Renewed annually; most recent August 2023.

Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) & NPCP Certification; Renewed bi-annually; thru November 2027.

Body Arts Science Institute (BASI) Pilates for Dancers CEU Certification, January 2009.

Body Arts Science Institute (BASI) Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Program Certification; internationally recognized leader. Pilates full apparatus certification, July 2008.

POOLATES; Pilates for the Pool; Basic Certification, October 2009.

Evans/Bartenieff Method of Teaching Certification, August 2007.

Simonson Jazz Dance Technique Certification; Dance Space Inc., NYC. September 1996.

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM-CPT) December 2005 – present;

Certified Personal Trainer. Renewed bi-annually.  Valid thru September 2025.

CPR/AED CERTIFICATION

 American Heart Association: Valid thru April 2026.

Career

Teaching history

  • Faculty, NY. Zena Rommett Floor Barre Technique® (ZRFB) Certification. Writing/Anatomical breakdown of different sections of ZRFB for upcoming book and co-presentation live & via Zoom for Certifications in NYC, Mexico and across the world. Fall 2020-present.  Next Anatomy presentation, online certification, November 2024.
  • Faculty, NY. Iona College. Lecture/movement courses in Introduction to World Dance Forms and Jazz Dance: From Roots to Hip Hop and Beyond Fall 2020-Spring 2022.
  • Faculty, NJ. College of Saint Elizabeth. Ballet, Modern, Jazz dance technique classes, and lecture courses in Dance Appreciation & choreographic process. August 2018-Fall 2019.
  • Faculty, NYC. Co-author/teacher w/Martha Chapman. Absolute Beginner Ballet & Pilates workshop. Gina Gibney 2015; Peridance; July 2016-present. Last workshop: June
  • Faculty, NYC. Peridance, Broadway Dance Center, Gina Gibney, DNA. September 2012-present. Ongoing substitute; Ballet, Simonson, Floor Barre, K-12 & Anatomy
  • Faculty, Pilates on Fifth, Flying Squirrel Pilates, PRNY, Pilates for Dancers, ongoing workshop on full Pilates equipment @ PRNY. September 2012 -present. Private & Group Pilates instructor as well.
  • Faculty, Chicago, IL. Northside Dance Theatre. June2010-August 2012. Pilates, Ballet, & Performance
  • Research Instructor, Chicago, IL. RIC/Northwestern. March 2010 – December 2010. Two projects; 1.) Dance & children w/Cerebral Palsy (two levels of classes; based on CP severity); 2.) Dance class for adults w/Parkinson’s Disease (all stages in one class).
  • Director of Pilates; Pilates Instructor/Pilates Dance Specialist, Chicago, IL. Lakeshore Athletic Club. Adults; June 2009-December 2010. BASI-Pilates-based; and
  • Faculty/Pilates Instructor, March 2008- present. Dance Medicine Specialist, Chicago & NYC. Athletico, LSAC, Essence Pilates, Uptown Pilates, IWMC, & PRNY. Rehabilitative/preventive regimes for professional dancers et
  • Pilates & Ballet Instructor, Chicago, IL. Joffrey Ballet Academy & Company & Northside Dance Theatre (9/08-6/09; 9/09-10/12). Company Dancers, Pre-professional students, adult students; mat classes & reformer/coaching exercises for company; Beginner
  • Faculty, Chicago, IL. Ballet Chicago. June2007-June2009. Int./adv. students. Pilates & Stretch classes for students/company members; injury prevention & technique
  • Pilates Instructor, Chicago, IL. Mid-Town Tennis Club (12/06-1/09), Onterie Health Club (7/06-5/07), Equinox (11/10-11/12). Adults. BASI-Pilates-based; mat & full
  • Faculty, Chicago, IL. Hubbard Street Dance Co./Lou Conte Studio. Oct. 2005-Aug. 2008. Adult students. Basic ballet & Beginner Ballet; guest for modern & jazz; all
  • Faculty, Chicago, IL. Joffrey Ballet of Chicago Education/Outreach & C.A.M.P.U.S., Inc. September 2005 – May 2006. Middle and High School students. Ballet technique, Joffrey Repertory, choreographic process, modern and jazz forms, and creative
  • Guest Faculty, Chicago, The Academy for the Arts October 2005 – June 2009.

Modern dance; beginning to advanced levels. Humphrey-Limon based with Evans/Bartenieff fundamentals incorporated into warm-up sequences.

  • Research Instructor, Chicago, IL. UIC/Center on Research in Aging. March -August 2006. Adults >60yrs. With osteoarthritis. Exercise/dance classes for project Fit &
  • Director/Instructor, Tyler Junior College Academy& Program in Dance. August 2002-2004. Administration/direction of both Associate Degree Program and Dance Academy.
    • Associate Degree Program in Dance. Courses taught:
      • Dance Appreciation; Anatomy and Kinesiology; each 3 credit courses
      • Modern Dance (Limon/Horton hybrid), Classical & Modern Ballet
    • Academy of Dance

Courses taught: Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced/ Professional levels of:

  • Ballet, Pointe & Variations, Jazz Dance & Jazz for exercise
  • Full production/direction/choreography of annual “Nutcracker” & annual Spring concert, “Dancefest”, w/original works; historical and classical works
  • Guest Instructor “Dance for the Planet”, Dallas, TX. Summer 2003 & 2004
    • Taught classes to general public at the Festival
      • Modern dance; Horton/Limon-based.
      • Modern Jazz dance; Simonson-based
    • Adjunct Instructor NYC, January 1989-August 2002
      • Hunter College of Arts & Sciences/CUNY,
      • Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY, NYC.
      • Teachers College, Columbia University
        • Courses taught:
          • Dance History
          • Dance Appreciation
          • Classical Beginner Ballet
          • Modern (Limon/Horton-based)
          • Modern Jazz (Simonson-based)
          • Beginning Jazz (anatomically correct Fosse style)
          • Simonson technique; Slow Intermediate/ Intermediate
          • Choreographic process and improvisation
          • Funk
        • Dance Instructor & Guest Artist throughout NYC & 5 Burroughs; September1987- August 2002. Studios included:
          • Manhattan Motion Dance Studio
          • Aleray Performing Arts Studio
          • 550 Broadway Dance
          • Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association
            • Courses taught:
              • Classical Ballet: Basic Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
              • Modern Jazz (Simonson-based): Beginner, Slow Int./Int. and Advanced
              • Creative Movement
              • Staging of classical works on above groups
              • Ages 4- senior
            • Dance Instructor/Organizer Expanded Dance-Windhover, Rockport, MA. Summer 1997-2002.
              • Organizer & scheduler of all classes
              • Courses taught:
                • Simonson technique; Intermediate level.
                • Finance seminar for dancers offered 1997, 1998,
              • Guest Lecturer Graduate Dance Program, Texas Women’s University; Dr. LaPointe-Crump. October 2000: Conference call seminar on:
                • Role of support organizations & fiscal issues in shaping art making
                • Tools for setting & holding to the budgetary process
                • Impact of government & private sponsorship grants to the overall arts
                • Preparing for opening one’s own dance studio

Professional history

  • Technique & Pilates/Floor Barre classes Gibney, Steps, Ailey, Peridance, NYC & virtual. August 2012 -
  • Mark Morris workshops - Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, NYC June 2011. Volunteer for ongoing
  • Former member Tyer & Co. (Michelle Haberle-Tyer founder) modern dance group Tyler, TX
  • Classical & modern ballet with: Martha Chapman, Heather Hawk, Beth Coheen, Finis Jhung, Peff Modelski, Kitty Daniels, Jacki Villamil, Nanette Charisse, & Anna
  • Simonson technique: Lynn Simonson, Laurie DeVito, Katiti King, Diane McCarthy & Charles
  • Humphrey-Limon Technique at Limon Institute, NYC w/Alan Danielson & Jim
  • Five years Graham Technique with Ellen Graff and at the Graham
  • Evans/Bartenieff technique with Bill Evans (summer intensives) and teacher
  • Classic modern dance w/Mary Anthony-NYC.
  • Multiple scholarships; including: New York Dance Intensive at Dance Space, Inc., & scholarship for Expanded Dance with Lynn Simonson and Jacki Villamil in Rockport,
  • Classical Ballet as scholarship student and apprentice at New Jersey Ballet School/Co.

Research and publishing

  • Zena Rommet Floor Barre Certification®: Co-authored Anatomical breakdown of ZRFB for upcoming Chapter in ZRFB technique Biography; & ongoing Anatomical Presentations, 2019-present.  Next Anatomical presentation, online certification: November 2024.
  • Evans Somatic Dance Conference 2019 - July 2024: Movement Workshop in utilization of Somatic Dance imagery for teaching both ballet & Pilates classes.
  • NDEO 2019 – Jazz Dance Conference - July 2019: Teaching of Authentic Classical Fosse Jazz Works in an Anatomically Correct Manner – Can it be done? Movement Workshop.
  • NDEO 2016 - October 2016: Wake up classes: Movement Workshops in both Simonson-based technique and Pilates for Dancers with Thera-bands.
  • PAMA, July 2016: A Pre-Pointe Pilates-based Movement Workshop for Ballet Dancers: A Year- long plan for proper pointe preparation & safety. A Movement Workshop
  • NYSDEA, Winter 2016: Finance 101: A Basic Guideline All. Lecture
  • Co-Author Absolute Beginner Ballet & Pilates workshop, October 2015: Written with Martha Chapman for six-week workshop presented at Gina Gibney dance studios & Peridance 2015-present.
  • Gramercy Pilates, October 2014: Full Teacher Training Manual for Pilates mat & apparatus, with direction/voiceover for photo shoots & videos for student
  • PAMA, July 2013: Cueing in the Classroom: Proper Instruction for the Relevé. Presentation &

Performing Arts in Cuba: A Brief Synopsis of the 2013 trip: Panel presentation.

  • PAMA, July 2011: Performing Arts in Cuba: A Brief Synopsis. A panel
  • World Dance Alliance-Americas, July 2010: “The Effectiveness Pilates-based Exercises for Dancers has on the Rate of Injury in Both Male & Female Professional
  • PAMA, July/Aug. 2010: Pilates for Dancers: Training, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Recovery: A Survey and Analysis”.
  • Chicago Sun-Times Empowered Doctor Blog Post, June 10th, 2009: “Stress = Today”.
  • World Dance Alliance-Americas, May 2009: “Analysis of Repetitive Motion in Dancers Through Video Gait Analysis” and “Pilates for Dancers” studio
  • NDA/AAPHERD National Dance Association, April 2009: “The Effects of BASI-Pilates on Advanced Ballet Chicago Students” Poster presentation & “Pilates for Dancers” studio
  • Guest Speaker, March 2009, Undergraduate Dance Program, Northwestern University. Presented PowerPoint lecture/discussion “Dance Research: The Multitude of Possibilities”.
  • PAMA, June 2007: “A Brief Summary of Ballet Technique Research Over the Past Twenty-five Years; Has it Made It To The Field? & The Simonson/Evans/Pilates technique workshop.
  • PAMA, June 2006: “Bartenieff Fundamentals and the Bill Evans’ technique”. Workshop class/presentation/PowerPoint presentation.
  • NDEO, October 2005: “The Simonson Technique: A Qualitative Assessment of the Technique Through Laban Movement Analysis & Effects Technique has on Postural Alignment of Study ”
  • PAMA, June 2005: “Coping with Epilepsy for the Dancer”. PowerPoint
  • NDEO, October 2004: “A Dancer’s Epilepsy: The Use of Dance as a Therapy for Coping with Epilepsy”. Moderator for other
  • PAMA, June 2004: “The Simonson Technique: A Qualitative Assessment of the Technique using Effort/Shape Movement Analysis”.
  • Dance Teacher Now Conference, August 2003: Panel Participant in workshops focusing upon

Business and Dance at NYC conference.

  • PAMA, June 2003: Presentation “Relationship Between Dance Injury & Choreography”.
  • Dance Teacher   Now   Conference, August  2002:              Panel Participant in workshop, Financial Management and Bookkeeping, Brief introduction to dance company and studio
  • NDEO, August 2002: “Teacher Preparation in NYC-based studios”, primary focus Teacher Certification Program developed by Lynn
  • Dance Teacher  Now  Conference,   August  2001: Assistant Instructor to Lynn Simonson in demonstrating, describing, and instructing class in Simonson
  • Dancing into the Millennium Conference, D.C. June 2000: Panelist/Speaker representing American Dance Guild, NYC. One of ADG panel; primary focus future dance funding.
  • Creative Research
    • Ongoing solo performances throughout NYC 2012- May 2024: Improv works w/locals.
    • Kat Wildish Presents October 2015: At TADA! NYC: Solo performance, “Gottha Dance”.
    • PAMA conferences June 2005 - 2019: Led structured improvisational works with fellow conference attendees/presenters.
    • Links Hall, December 2009: A full-length contemporary modern work, based the “Nutcracker”; with a comedic play on the classical ballet; to Duke Ellington’s Interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classical music work and other composers. 12/10 Production
    • University of Chicago, May 2007: Modern work on “Rhythmic Bodies” for Spring 2007 performances.
    • March 2007: MidTangent Productions, Chicago, Choreographed “I am Hamlet” – an original adaptation of “Hamlet” with music created by MidTangent Productions.
    • Christmas 2005: Village Players Theater, Oak Park, IL. Choreographed “Chad Morton’s TV Christmas Miracle” – an original musical created by Village
    • August 2005: Smoke & Mirror Productions, Chicago, IL. Choreography for “Giving Sorrow Words”; production based on book of poetry following 9/11.
    • May 2004: Tyler Junior College Academy and Program in Dance; Tyler, TX. “Dancefest”.
      • “Live is Indeed Better”; classical ballet performed live w/guitar ensemble of
      • “The Electric Cowgirl”; modern jazz
      • “The Rockin’ Roses” and “The Sugar Rum Cherry” Contemporary modern ballets, based on “Nutcracker” to Duke Ellington’s Interpretation of the Tchaikovsky
      • “A Necessity of Life” Horton/Limon-based modern work w/improvisational
    • April 2004: “Dance for the Planet”, Dallas,
      • “A Necessity of Life” and taught open class to public Festival; Limon-based.
    • 2004: Tyler Junior College Academy& Program in Dance; Tyler, TX.
      • “The Wizard of Oz”. Choreographed full production w/Music & Theatre
    • May 2003: Tyler Junior College Academy & Program in Dance; Tyler, TX. “Dancefest”.
      • Choreographed eight works, including classical ballet, jazz, contemporary modern ballet, and modern dances
    • December 2002 & 2003: Tyler Junior College Academy and Program in Dance; Tyler,
      • “The Nutcracker”. Annual full production of the ballet, including guest
      • Director/lead choreographer; 4 performances
      • Included abridged children’s version w/script written by MSB for “storytelling” version for young