Neuroscience Meets Dance In Therapy

Our first guest speaker is Dr. Andrea Orlandi, a postdoctoral researcher in Cognitive Neuroscience at Sapienza University of Rome. He investigates the neural representations of the body and complex movement, with a particular focus on neuroaesthetics, interoception, and social cognition, combining behaviour, electrophysiology and neuroimaging methods. His background in contemporary dance significantly influences his research on the human brain, integrating aspects of dance with neuroscience. He was awarded a Marie Curie Global Fellowship, allowing him to further his research in collaboration with Macquarie University in Sydney.

Dr. Andrea Orlandi’s talk ‘Dancing in the Lab: Towards a Neuroaesthetics of Interactions’ will explore the fascinating intersection between neuroscience and performing arts research. It will shed light on how this collaboration has unravelled the intricate processes underlying the aesthetic appreciation of movement and dance. The discussion will cover both established and recent studies investigating how dance is appraised, emphasizing the need to simplify the complexity of dance for scientific investigation while preserving its essence. The focus will be on the brain’s networks involved in perceiving and expressing aesthetic judgments during dance observation. Furthermore, it will address a notable gap in neuroscientific studies, which often concentrate on individual bodies despite dance’s inherently interactive nature. The talk will highlight newer studies delving into the aesthetics of multiple bodies. It will explore the mechanisms underlying the perception of interactions between individuals, synchronization with music, and coordination while dancing together. The findings, drawn from diverse methodologies encompassing behaviour, electrophysiology, and neuroimaging, will be presented and discussed. A final discussion will advocate for a more ecological approach in neuroscientific investigations of dance, stressing the importance of fostering deeper collaborations between scientists, performers, and movement therapists. This collaborative effort aims to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications within various domains.

Our second guest speaker is Dr. Cecilia Fontanesi, a dancer, choreographer, performing artist, certified movement analyst, neuroscientist, and dance/movement therapist. She graduated from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, LIMS in New York, and holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from CUNY, The Graduate Center.

Dr. Cecilia Fontanesi’s ‘Joining the Dance: Navigating Therapeutic Frontiers,’ delves into core principles of dance therapy, propelling them into a contemporary sphere of shared dialogue with others. Specifically focusing on the therapeutic realm, our aim is to analyse and articulate the often intangible components of engaging individuals within the dance context. We’ll delve into the intricacies of joining someone not merely physically but through an intertwining of intentions, emotions, and movements, emphasizing the significance of connection as a precursor to facilitating transformative change. Central to this approach is the imperative to comprehend the therapeutic relationship by understanding, deconstructing, and describing the nuances of what we already do within dance therapy. This involves an exploration of meeting individuals at their unique emotional and physical junctures, forging connections, and carving out pathways for change. By scrutinizing the elements of joining in dance – be it through imitation, mirroring, attunement, or synchrony – we aim to carve theoretical spaces that comprehend the amalgamation of personal, emotional, and physical dimensions. To ground these concepts, the workshop will blend theoretical discussions with experiential learning. Through these exercises, participants will immerse themselves in the embodiment of relationship and connection, fostering a deeper understanding of how movement encapsulates the essence of therapeutic exchange. We aim to create a space that nurtures both introspective reflection and practical application, allowing participants to grasp the intricacies of therapeutic relationships through dance and movement as the ecological ground for future neuroscientific research.