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Judy DiFiore

Lecturer in Dance

Email
J.Difiore@UOS.AC.UK
School/Directorate
School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Judy DiFiore has over 20 years teaching experience in Higher Education.  She joined the Dance team at University of Suffolk in 2020, having spent 19 years teaching at Middlesex University on their BA Dance programmes. Judy teaches all aspects of Dance Science and her passion to increase awareness of healthy dance practice, underpins all her work.  Alongside her academic role, Judy also works practically with dancers as a physical therapist with a particular focus on movement screening for injury prevention and rehabilitation following injury. She has been involved in screening programmes with the English National Ballet School, Royal Ballet School and London Studio Centre and runs an injury clinic in NW London.  Judy is also a member of the Health Team at DanceEast working with young dancers on the CAT programme.

Education:

  • MSc Sports Rehabilitation
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Dance Medicine
  • Certificate in Safe & Effective Dance Practice
  • Certificate in Education
  • Stott Pilates Matwork Instructor
  • ISTD Associate in Ballet & Modern Dance Teaching

Judy’s expertise lies in all aspects of Dance Science.  Her passion and enthusiasm for her subject is reflected in her teaching which aims to inspire and fully engage students to maximise learning. Judy is always looking for new methods of delivery particularly with regard to the development of research and academic writing skills, where guidance is needed to navigate the daunting world of independent study. Working in the field of dance science, Judy is fully aware of the importance of evidence-based practice, and ongoing research is at the heart of her teaching to support curriculum development. Acknowledgement of Judy’s commitment to teaching has short-listed her for awards in teaching excellence at Middlesex University Student-led Awards and for the prestigious One Dance UK Awards.

Judy contributes to the following modules:

  • L4 Teaching Dance 1: Safe Dance Practice
  • L5 Experiential Anatomy, Technique & Embodiment
  • L5 Dance & Health
  • L6 Final Independent Research Project

Judy has several areas of research interest.  She has undertaken studies addressing the hypermobile knee, highly prevalent in the dance population, and her MSc dissertation investigated the effects of an eccentric hamstring training programme on the stability of the hypermobile knee.  An earlier study, conducted as part of the Dance Medicine module of the MSc in Sport & Exercise Medicine, investigated the strategies adopted by dance teachers to manage students with hypermobile knees during class. Findings from this study were presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science Conference in Basel in 2014. 

Another area of interest is the role of movement screening for injury prevention which Judy introduced into her work with dancers whilst at Middlesex University.  Data collected over a three-year period formed the basis of a structured pre-habilitation programme targeting key areas for dancers to address prior to, and during, full-time training.  This process was designed to enhance dance performance, reduce injury risk, and increase career longevity.

Also whilst at Middlesex University, Judy assisted colleagues with aspects of the Dance Fitness Indicator©, a high intensity fitness tool designed to test, monitor and develop the physical fitness level of dancers. This product is now available for dancers and teachers to purchase.

Judy has authored four books, compiled training manuals for fitness organisations and written book reviews. Her last publication, The Complete Guide to Postnatal Fitness (2010) is aimed at physiotherapists, osteopaths, manual therapists and personal trainers working in the field of ante/postnatal exercise.  The third edition of this book received significant media interest in 2013 following its reported use by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Judy has extensive experience of planning, teaching and assessing CYQ Level 2 Group Exercise Instructor award, run as an extra-curricular activity for university students.  This provides dance, and other students, with a qualification to teach studio-based exercise with additional opportunities for community engagement. Judy also holds a CYQ Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement

  • One Dance UK
  • International Association of Dance Medicine & Science
  • British Complementary Medicine Association
  • Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council