GRIT: The Dancer’s Core

Saturday, March 28, 2027 | 11:30am-1:30pm
The Maggie Allesee Studios for Dance & Arts Innovation | 450 Enterprise Ct. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Pricing:
DMDYC Student: FREE
Non-DMDYC/Non-School of Detroit Metropolitan Dance: $30

REGISTER

GRIT: The Dancer’s Core is a movement and mindset workshop developed to help dancers cultivate the inner strength that fuels artistry and longevity in the field. Rooted in both physical practice and reflective journaling and discussion, this workshop explores how Grace, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity form the foundation of sustainable, empowered dance careers.

Through guided movement, journaling, and group conversation, participants will identify how these four pillars show up in their training, performance, and personal growth—transforming challenges into opportunities for artistry.

PANELISTS

  • Jordyn Kahler, LPC, R-DMT, RYT, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, and Registered Yoga Teacher with a deep commitment to holistic healing. Drawing from a rich background in dance, movement, somatic psychotherapy, creative expression, and embodied mindfulness, Jordyn supports individuals in reconnecting with themselves through movement, breath, and presence. Her work integrates traditional therapeutic approaches with somatic and expressive arts practices, creating space for healing that honors both mind and body. Jordyn has experience working across clinical, educational, and community settings, and she is passionate about making mental health care more accessible and embodied. Jordyn is a former student of Detroit Metropolitan Dance (formerly Eisenhower Dance Ensemble) and is thrilled to be invited back to be part of Seen and Be Seen 2026.

  • Jessica Zacharias is the founder of Seaworth Wholeness Sanctuary, a private movement and ritual studio devoted to embodied healing and self-return. As a movement guide, writer, and teacher, she blends dance, intuitive listening, and reflective writing to support people in reconnecting with their bodies as sources of wisdom, safety, and truth.

    Born with a rare birth defect and shaped by a long path of medical care, Jessica learned early on that the body speaks in many languages — sensation, movement, rhythm, and rest. This lived experience informs her belief that healing is not linear, performance-based, or something to be achieved, but something to be listened to and embodied over time.

    In her work with dancers, Jessica offers movement as medicine — a way to process emotion, cultivate self-trust, and deepen presence both on and off the floor. Through guided movement, intuitive exploration, and intentional words, she creates spaces where young artists are invited to move beyond perfection and into authenticity, wholeness, and honest expression.

    Jessica’s work honors the body as a storyteller and dance as a sacred language — one that allows us to feel, integrate, and come home to ourselves.

  • Dr. Karageanes is a primary care sports medicine physician at Restorative Physical Medicine in Novi, Michigan. He serves as the Official Company Physician for Eisenhower Dance Detroit as well as, as President-Elect of the American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine and was past-president of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine. He serves on the editorial board of the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine and is clinical assistant professor at both Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Wayne State University School of Medicine. He was editor-in-chief of the textbook Principles of Manual Sports Medicine and producer of the multimedia (video and most photography) for Osteopathic Clinical Joint Exam. Dr. Karageanes is also one of the first physicians in the United States certified in performing arts medicine by the Performing Arts Medical Association. He is a founding member of Athletes and the Arts and co-hosts their regular podcast, Athletes and the Arts. He also serves on the credentialing committee of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, and the Executive Board of the Bridge Dance Project. He works regularly with the University of Michigan Dance Department, ConteXture Dance Company, Inferno Dance Company, Juliana’s Academy of Dance, Wayne State University Department of Theater and Dance, and numerous other dance studios across Michigan.

    Preventing abuse in dance has been his ongoing passion for many years. He serves as President of Nonprofit Education and Advocacy in Movement Artists, a group that works to stop abusive practices and provide resources for studios and companies. He also works on the Personal Safety in Dance International Work Group with whom he was recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine about dancer abuse. Recently, he was the Keynote Speaker at the Pas De Deux Dance Photography conference in Chicago speaking on protecting dancers from abuse during photo shoots and on social media, and at the Denver Ballet Guild Young Dancer Competition on keeping dancers healthy.

    Outside of performing arts medicine, Dr. Karageanes has spent many years as a filmmaker and photographer. After studying and performing at Second City Detroit for 3.5 years, he produced, wrote, and directed numerous award-winning short films, screen dances, and feature films (“Needlestick”), as well as a sold-out theatrical play run (“Hollywood Positive”) at Go Comedy in Ferndale. At the 2010 Action on Film Festival in Pasadena California, he won Best Actor-short film for “Pink Slip”. As a photographer, he also does photo shoots and films interviews all over the country. He’s most pleased with his total solar eclipse pics from 2024.

  • Kelly Hale has the honor of helping people move beyond stress, anxiety & overwhelm to reconnect to JOY, & find the EASE in life through somatic movement practices that tap into the wisdom of the nervous system. 

    Her work is informed by 25 years as an Occupational Therapist, and Pilates practitioner with many certifications and training in unique areas such as Dance Medicine, Brain Gym, reflex integration, gut health and more!  She brings a unique, synergistic approach that goes beyond the diagnosis and functional deficits to examine the true root causes such as “tripped-up” reflexes, cranial-sacral system disruption, and an un-INtegrated nervous system.

    Kelly enJOYs supporting performing artists via prehab, rehab and programs for performance anxiety.  Her work empowers the mental & physical health of various artists using structural exercises, developmental movements, sensory integration & emotional regulation tools.

    She has owned a Holistic Rehab and Pilates practice since 2001. Kelly is a highly sought out conference presenter & keynote speaker. She lives in metro Detroit with her husband, daughter, rescue hounds and an ever-expanding collection of house plants.  She still enjoys dancing, especially tap at this stage of life, as it’s great for the brain!