MSc/MFA Dance Science

Catherine graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, with Bachelor’s degrees in Dance and Physics. During her undergraduate studies, she also trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia. She subsequently completed both a Master of Science in Sport Science Research and a Master of Advanced Studies in Dance Science at the University of Bern, Switzerland, graduating summa cum laude, before completing doctoral research in Sport Science, graduating insigni cum laude.

Catherine’s research focuses on the biomechanical analysis of rotational movement and balance, the development of dance-specific measurement approaches, and the evaluation of rehabilitation and performing arts interventions. Her work combines biomechanical and mixed-methods approaches to address applied questions arising from dance training, performance, and performer health. She collaborates internationally with researchers and practitioners across dance science, biomechanics, motor learning, and performing arts medicine, and has presented her work at international conferences, including those of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS), the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), and the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB).

As Head of Dance Science, Catherine provides strategic leadership for the development and application of dance science across Trinity Laban. She oversees initiatives that support student health, wellbeing, and performance, including the institution’s Fitness Screening and Health Tracking Programme, and works closely with Trinity Laban’s Public Engagement team to develop and evaluate Creative Health initiatives. She is committed to ensuring that research is informed by practitioner experience and translated into meaningful real-world impact for performers, educators, and practitioners.

Catherine also plays a key role in expanding external partnerships and opportunities for students, including the development of international collaborations, study abroad opportunities, and professional networks. She actively contributes to organisations that advance performer health and the development of dance science internationally.

Alongside her leadership of the MSc/MFA Dance Science programmes, Catherine is a Senior Lecturer in research methods, biomechanics, and motor control. She supervises postgraduate research projects, and leads curriculum innovation and programme development. In recognition of her contribution to higher education, she received a Trinity Laban Teaching and Supporting Learning Award. Through her leadership, teaching, and research, Catherine is committed to strengthening the integration of scientific and artistic approaches to education, performance, and health.

Selected Outputs:

Journal Articles 

Haber, C., Hopper, L., & Schärli, A. (2026). Measuring a pirouette: The validation of biomechanical measures of double pirouette performance. Accepted for publication in Sports Biomechanics.

Haber, C., & Schärli, A. (2025). Biomechanical validation of a dance-specific heel raise to jump progression. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 40(3), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.21091/mppa.2025.03010

Haber, C.*, Schärli, A.*, & Klostermann, A. (2023). Does a visual reference help ballet dancers turn more successfully? Human Movement Science, 88, 103062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2023.103062 

*Contributed equally to this article

Haber, C., & Schärli, A. (2021). Defining spotting in dance: A Delphi method study evaluating expert opinions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 540396. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.540396

Conference Papers 

Haber, C., Klostermann, A., & Schärli, A. (2019). Biomechanical analysis of balance and spotting in multiple rotations of ballet dancers. In W. Herzog (Ed.), Abstract book of the International/American Society of Biomechanics ISB/ASB 2019. University of Calgary.

Conference Presentations 

Haber, C., & Lefebvre Sell, N. (2025, 25-28 September). Fostering Innovative Research Methods in Artistic and Scientific Inquiry [Conference Presentation]. International Association of Dance Medicine and Science 2025 Annual Conference. Las Vegas, NV, USA.

Wilson, J., Guss-West, C., Leventhal, D., & Haber, C. (2025, 25-28 September). Developing Arts and Health Programs: Sustainable strategies and tools through collaboration [Conference Presentation]. International Association of Dance Medicine and Science 2025 Annual Conference. Las Vegas, NV, USA.

Haber, C., Goldstein-Opasiak, N., Doolan, M., & Sinclair, S. (2024, 17-20 October). Screening and Then What? Developing effective feedback and resources for actionable next stages [Conference Presentation]. International Association of Dance Medicine and Science 2024 Annual Conference. Rimini, IT.

Bulkeley, G., Ventura, J., & Haber, C. (2024, 17-20 October). Assessing Lower Limb Asymmetries in Pre-Professional Dancers [Conference Presentation]. International Association of Dance Medicine and Science 2024 Annual Conference. Rimini, IT.

Sinclair, S., Goldstein-Opasiak, N., Doolan, M., & Haber, C. (2024, 18-21 July). Coming Full Circle: An insight into the process of designing and implementing a Health and Fitness Support Programme for dancers [Conference Presentation]. Performing Arts Medicine Association 2024 International Symposium. London, UK.

Ventura, J., & Haber, C. (2024, 18-21 July). Adolescent Dance-Related Injuries Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic [Poster Presentation]. Performing Arts Medicine Association 2024 International Symposium. London, UK. *

*Winner of the Martin Brandfonbrener Scholarship Award for students.

Sunderlage, A., Shaw, J., Harding, J., MacSweeney, N., & Haber, C. (2023, 12-15 October). Perceptions of strength training in elite preprofessional ballet: a case study [Conference Presentation]. International Association of Dance Medicine and Science 2023 Annual Conference. Columbus, OH, USA.

Haber, C., Jarvis, D., Pickard, A., Angioi, M., & Haas, A. (2023, 12-15 October). Dance Science: The value of mixed methods research [Conference Presentation]. International Association of Dance Medicine and Science 2023 Annual Conference. Columbus, OH, USA.

Haber, C., Sinclair, S., Tam, M., & Aitchison, W. (2023, 7 September). Enhancing Student Experience and Employability through Cross-Programme Collaboration [Conference Presentation]. Learning and Teaching Symposium 2023: A Celebration of Excellence. London, UK.

Describing herself as an ‘academic artist’, Sonia has over thirty years experience as a performer, teacher, choreographer, director, mentor, researcher, consultant and author. She has had a long performing career: As a dancer/singer with the innovative electric voice dance company, La Bouche, she toured extensively with original electronic music and dance works by the company and commissioned choreographers, including Lloyd Newson, Lea Anderson, Ashley Page and Lidy Mouw. La Bouche performed in a wide variety of contexts including televised appearances, the theatre circuit, clubs and festivals, including Glasgow Mayfest, the Edinburgh Fringe and Glastonbury Festival Pyramid stage. The company also produced several albums, culminating in a record contract with CBS Records. Sonia also performed with V-Tol Dance Company and with several independent choreographers, most recently in site-specific work with Athina Vahla and Lizzi Kew Ross.

Sonia is an established dance technique teacher and has regularly delivered workshops and masterclasses in the UK and internationally. During her teaching career, she has provided professional level classes and company class for many high profile companies including Adventures in Motion Pictures, Balletboyz, Candoco, the Cholmondeleys, Clod Ensemble, DV8, Hofesh Schecter, Protein Dance, Random, Shobana Jeyasingh, Siobhan Davies and Springs Dance Company. She has directed and choreographed for her own company, Blueprint Dance Company, and co-directs Double Vision Dance Company with Amanda Gough, working on several large scale site-specific community commissions.

In her role as a consultant in safe and healthy dance practice, Sonia provides professional development for companies, agencies and training institutions.  She is Co-Founder of Safe in Dance International (SiDI), developing a range of Healthy Dance Certificates for dance practitioners to evidence their knowledge in this area, also working with awarding bodies and universities worldwide to integrate healthy dance principles into teacher training and practice. She is co-author of “Safe Dance Practice: An applied dance science perspective”, which has become a seminal text in the field. Sonia has presented at several conferences, as well as authoring and co-authoring a number of research and Journal articles. Her research interests range from dance specific fitness to the embodied practices of dance technique teachers. These combined interests have led to qualifications as a Personal Trainer, experience as a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science Education Committee, an External Examiner role in Dance and Fitness and peer reviews of Journal and book proposals. As a portfolio practitioner herself, Sonia’s main focus is to combine all these fields so that dance science, pedagogical research and an understanding of the conditioning needs of dancers can together inform training, performance and curriculum planning.

Qualifications

• 2014: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• 2003: MSc Dance Science (Distinction), Laban
• 1984: Advanced Performance Course Diploma, Laban
• 1983: BA (Hons) Dance Theatre, Laban
• 3 A-levels, 11 O-levels, St Joseph’s Comprehensive, Workington

Performances

• 2010-12: Lizzi Kew-Ross – “Without Warning”
• 2000-08: Athina Vahla – “The Listening Post”, Science Museum site-specific commission 2008, “Wrestling an Angel” 2004, “Sonia Says” 2000 and 2002
• 1997-2003: Erica Stanton – “Gravity” 2003, Erica Stanton/Marion Gough – “Locus” 1997-8.
• 2001:Mothers of Invention – “My Mother, My Daughter, Myself”.
• 1996: V-TOL – “By Force of Fantasy”.
• 1994-5: Nikky Smedley and Dancers – “Talking of the Sex of Angels”
• 1992: Scott Clark – “In the Upper Room”
• 1991: Julie Blackman – “Anatomy of a Conversation”.
• 1990-93: Dale Thompson “Monolith” 1990 and “Mandala” 1993.
• 1986-91: Dancer/singer with  electric voice dance performance group, La Bouche (dance, voice and live sound mixing). Several albums of original songs/music and recording contract with CBS Records 1990. Choreographers: Lloyd Newson, Ashley Page, Lea Anderson, Pete Purdy, Lidy Mauw, the company. Extensive national and international touring and TV appearances: Edinburgh Fringe, Glasgow Mayfest, Glastonbury Festival Pyramid Stage and Theatre Tent, “Harty in Edinburgh”, “Acropolis Now” for Scottish TV, “Celebration” for Granada TV, “01for London”, “Folio” for Anglia TV.
• 1986: Scott Clark – “Heaven Somewhere”.
• 1985 : Philip Grosser – “U-Totem”
• 1984 : Luis Gonzalez – “Night Song”.

Choreography and Direction

• 2015: “Sphere of Influence” Double Vision (with Amanda Gough) commission for TrinityLaban Centre for Advanced Training students.
• 2012 – 2015: New works for  TrinityLaban BA1 Performance Project, “Experimental Wings”, “Imprints and Shadows”, “Black Velvet Blanket” and “The Butterfly Effect”.
• 2011: “ABBVN” for Virginia Rep Touring Company. Commissioned by James Madison University, Virginia, USA.
• 2011: “The Stone Diaries” Double Vision with Amanda Gough, Laban BA3 Commissioned Work.
• 1997-present: Co-director of Double Vision Dance Company with Amanda Gough. “After Images”  site specific piece for 50 local children and the Company at Lacock Abbey, commissioned by National Trust/Lacock Education 2003. “Sowing the seeds” site-specific piece for local children and the Company at the Courts Garden, commissioned by National Trust/Lacock Education 2002. “In:site” for Double Vision and “In:sense” for local community dancers, Millenium Project commissioned by the Derngate Theatre, Northhampton 2000. “Double Vision, Second Sight” full length A4E lottery funded work which also commissioned choreographer Fiona Edwards 1998. “Sonnet” choreographed and performed with Amanda Gough 1997.
• 1996-99: “Slipstitch”, “Satellite”, “Lexicon”, and “Circa ‘74” for Lewisham College Touring Company.
• 1996-7: Director and choreographer of Arts Council funded Shawbrook Summer school, Co Longford, Ireland. “Prophecy” 1996, “Between wind and water” 1997.
• 1992-4: Recipient of Arts Council bursary to train as an Artistic Director, Thamesdown  National Dance Agency, Swindon. Artistic Director and choreographer for Blueprint Dance Company, “Dreaming Like a Tall Man” 1992, “Common Denominator” 1993.
• 1994: Artistic Director of  the “Kaleidoscope” Project, a European Union funded venture initiated by The Council For Dance Education and Training to explore, in a cross-cultural context, the role of Dance in the National Vocational Qualification framework.

    “Terra Incognita” created in Rotterdam on eight dancers from Great Britain, Greece, Italy and Portugal.

• 1994: Workshops and performance project with South East London schools, including the Brit School, and Blueprint Dance Company.
• 1992: Collaboration with composer Philip Chambon  – “Shoal”
• 1984-5: Co-founded Group 6 Dance Company, workshops in schools around the UK, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bath Festival, Chelsea Arts Fair fashion show.

Interests and Achievements

• London 2012 Olympic Games Opening and Closing ceremonies volunteer performer -Industrial Revolution Pandemonium Drummer and Marshall.
• Costume design for Mark Bruce “Angel” 1996 and Mark Bruce/PJ Harvey collaboration “Dance Hall at Louse Point”, Queen Elizabeth Hall 1997.  Costume realisation Erica Stanton/Marion Gough “Locus” 1997. Costume design and realisation Double Vision Dance Company “Double Vision, Second Sight” 1998.
• University College Union Branch Executive representative (Treasurer) 2011-2014
• Sports First Aid Certificate – St Johns Ambulance.

Teaching Experience

• 1991 – present: TrinityLaban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Senior Lecturer: Dance Technique, Dance Fitness, Performance and Repertory modules, Choreography, Dance Science and Well-being modules, Academic Tutor, Undergraduate and Masters Project Tutor, Component and Module Leader, Student Union master classes.

Education/Learning and Participation: Career Days, Teachers Days, CAT Programme, DTAP pilot.

Initiatives and teams: Injury Report, Dancer’s Physique Report, Working Practice sessions, Blue Sky sessions, Health Research team.

• 2014 – 2019: Bucks New University, External Examiner for BA Dance and Fitness.
• 2005: University of Roehampton, Anatomy and Kinesiology lecturer.
• 1999-2004: Lewisham College, External Examiner for Dance Technique.
• 1997: De Montford University, Dance Technique and Repertory.
• 1995-96: Lewisham College, Dance Technique teacher.
• 1985 – present:

Professional/company classes, summer schools, festivals, workshops:  Greenwich Dance, The Place Artist Development, South East Dance, Hampshire Dance, TrinityLaban, James Madison University London summer school.

Company teacher: Adventures in Motion Pictures, Bare Bones, Candoco, The Cholmondeleys, Clod Ensemble, DV8, Hofesh Schechter, Imlata, New Adventures, Protein Dance, Random, RDC Youth, Shobana Jeyasingh, Siobhan Davies, Springs Dance Company, V-Tol.

International master classes: Ireland, Venice Bienalle, Naples, USA.

Professional and company development activities and mentoring: BalletBoyz Dancers’ Training Course, Candoco, Maelstrom Dance, Greenwich Dance, University of Roehampton.

Creative Outputs

• 2015: Co-author of “Safe dance practice: An applied dance science perspective” published by Human Kinetics.
• 2014: Senior Associate for Safe in Dance International (SiDI). Development of the “Healthy Dance Practice” initiatives.
• 2009 – 2013: Member of Steering Committee, Lead Assessor and Consultant for Trinity College London “Certificate in Safe and Effective Dance Practice”.
• 2006 – 2014: Member of Education Committee (including Deputy Chair role), International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS).
• Publications and presentations

Presenter: NIDMS and Dance UK Healthier Dancer Programme, “Strength and Conditioning in Dance” Conference, Elmhurst School of Dance, October 2015.

Resource paper: “Dance Fitness”. Irvine S., Redding, E., Rafferty, S.

IADMS website https://www.iadms.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=303

2010: “Considerations for the integration of fitness into dance training”.

Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 14 (2): 45-9.

2009: “Development of a high intensity dance performance fitness test”.  Redding, E., Weller, P., Ehrenberg, S., Irvine, S., Quin, E., Rafferty, S., Wyon, M., Cox, C. Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 2009, 13(1): 3-9.

2009: “Dance Specific Fitness class”. Quin, E., Irvine, S., Rafferty, S. Redding, E. IADMS 19th Annual meeting, The Hague, Netherlands.

2007: “The effects of a one year dance specific fitness training programme on undergraduate modern dance students; An experimental study”. Rafferty, S., Redding, E., Irvine, S., Quin, E. Abstract, Journal of Dance Medicine and Science 2007, 11(1):16.

2006: “The effects of a one year dance specific fitness training programme on undergraduate modern dance students; An experimental study”. Redding, E., Rafferty, S., Irvine, S., Morant, R. (2006), Conference proceedings IADMS 16thAnnual Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida. Recipient of Lisa Ullman Travel Scholarship to attend.

2004: “Leadership in Dance: An application of the Leadership Scale for Sport to dance technique teaching”: Presented IADMS 14th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 2004. Recipient of IADMS Student Travel Award to present. Published, Rafferty, S., Wyon, M. Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 2006, 10, (1&2), 6-13.

2004: “Leadership behaviour in dance”. Dance UK Magazine, Issue 53, p. 21.

Other: “Warm-up and Cool Down” presentations, Move It and NDTA conferences

Qualifications:

• PhD entitled Biomechanical analysis of the impact of fatigue on the Dorsi flexors and Plantarflexors
• MSc in Applied Sport Science
• BSc (Hons) Sport Science
• Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in HE (PG-CertHE)

Teaching Experience:

• Senior lecturer and course director, Sports Analysis and Coaching, Kingston University.
• Senior laboratory technician, Kingston University.

Outputs:

Howatson, G., Goodall, S., Hill, J., Brouner, J., Gaze, D., McHugh, M. P., Shave, R. (2011). The influence of dietary antioxidant supplementation on exercise-induced cardiac troponin release. International Journal of Cardiology, 152 (1), 101 – 102

Howatson, G., McHugh, M.P., Hill, J., Brouner, J., Jewell, A., van Someren, K.A., and Shave, R. Howatson, S.A. (2010). The effects of a tart cherry juice supplement on muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and recovery following Marathon running. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 20, 843-52.

Howatson, G., McHugh, M. P.,  Hill, J. A., Brouner, J., Jewell, A. P., van Someren, K. A., Shave, R. E. and Howatson, S. A. (2009). Influence of Tart Cherry Juice on Indices of recovery Following Marathon Running, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 19(5) 975 – 979

Howatson, G.; Glaister, M.; Brouner, J.; van Someren, K. A. (2009). The reliability of electromechanical delay and torque during isometric and concentric isokinetic contractions, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 19(5) 975-979

Jasmine has an Honours Degree in Nutrition and a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics from the University of London. She has qualifications in teaching young people and adults and has undertaken training in group work and increasing motivation. She is registered as a dietitian with the Health Care Professions Council. Jasmine is an Accredited Nutritionist (Association for Nutrition) and is a High Performance registrant on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition  register (SENr). She has a particular interest in dance but has worked with athletes from a variety of backgrounds.

As a strength and conditioning specialist for dancers, Khyle works to provide specific prehabilitation and performance enhancement training strategies to support dancers in training and performance, helping to establish a high athletic capacity to support genre specific technique and reduce physical limitations to creative work. His research looks into the athletic development and competency of dancers.

As a performer, Khyle has performed internationally with numerous makers and companies; working with STREB Extreme Action, Dance Theatre of Ireland, Upswing Aerial, Generating Company, Luca Silvistrini, Arthur Pita, Liam Steel. Khyle is also creative collaborator, maker, choreographer, and rehearsal director in dance theatre and musical theatre genres. He has worked extensively with British Youth Music Theatre; and Rachel Birch-Lawson, touring their work internationally.

Stella has 20 years’ experience as a dance artist: performing nationally and internationally, teaching extensively in schools, colleges, community and health settings. She also leads professional development opportunities with teachers, dance artists, and professional dance companies.

She is Artist-in-Residence at Great Ormond Street Hospital for children, where she engages children and their families to find joy in moving. She also leads Breathe Dance at Guys & St Thomas’ hospital, and Dancing for Health at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance developed with Headway the Brain Injury association.

Stella worked with artist Lucy Evans to choreograph I grew out of that a long time ago, a duet exploring reflections from creative interventions in adults living with dementia. She has had international success with award winning dance film Porcelain (Directed by Roswitha Chesher) featuring the relationship of a married couple in their 60s.

As faculty at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Stella lectures on the soft and hard skills of teaching dance, within education, community, and inclusive practice.