Erin Sanchez, MSc PhD

Thesis title: Prepared to succeed? Dancers’ development experiences and the psychosocial and professional skills that underpin mental health and performance

Biography

Background

Erin Sanchez, MSc, PhD is an advocate, educator, and applied researcher. She advocates widely for the development of positive, strengths-led mental health support services, psychological education, and healthy working and training conditions through a variety of professional roles. 

Within her work at One Dance UK and the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS), she collaborates with healthcare practitioners, scientists, and those in dance to determine and progress initiatives supporting sustainable and highly valued careers in dance and improving dancers’ health, wellbeing and performance. Through this work, dancers can access free healthcare through NHS Dance Injury Clinics as well as discounted private healthcare through the One Dance UK Healthcare Practitioners Directory. One Dance UK also offers mental health support through Wellbeing Packages and partnerships with private practitioners, including Injury Mentoring, which provides support while dancers are waiting for injury care. One Dance UK also works with other charities such as BAPAM, which offers free injury assessments, and the Dance Professionals Fund, who provides grants for dance professionals and funds physiotherapy and free counselling through BAPAM.

Erin is a passionate educator and has led over 700 workshops on dancers’ health for dance professionals or students, and written and delivered dance teacher training modules on safe practice, dance science, and dance psychology internationally for the past 15 years. She also leads Empowering Dance© teacher training courses focussed on creating positive motivational climates for dancers. In 2021, Erin co-authored a practical text for dancers called Performance Psychology for Dancers with Prof Dave Collins and Dr Aine MacNamara.

Erin’s recent applied research collaborations through one Dance UK and NIDMS include an ESRC-funded collaborative PhD exploring self-harm among private dance school students with PhD student Maria Kolitsida and two national surveys of safeguarding and abuse prevention policies and practices in dance in the UK with Prof Jenn Cumming at the University of Birmingham, as well as working alongside Dr Siobhan Mitchell on the Growing Up in Dance Network, exploring growth and maturation in dance students. She is involved with advocacy and resource creation for safeguarding in UK out-of-school settings and private dance schools through the Dance School Safeguarding Working Group, Safer Dance. She is also an executive group member of Personal Safety for Dance, an international collective working to safeguard professional dancers.

She is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. She holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, a BA (Hons) in Dance and Sociology, and the qualification in Safe and Effective Dance Practice from Safe in Dance International. 

 

Qualifications

PhD Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 2025

MSc Dance Science, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Merit 2010

BA Dance and Sociology, University of New Mexico, Honors, 2007

Responsibilities & affiliations

International Association for Dance Medicine and Science member

Invited speaker

Sanchez, E. (2025). Dance Science in the UK: Collective Power, Shared Vision. Exploring Intersections Between Dance and Science. Imperial College London, Rambert School Collaborative Symposium. 10 Sept, London, UK.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Worth it? Dancers' experiences in dance training and careers. Seeking Sanctuary: Safeguarding and Abuse Prevention in Dance in the UK (Symposium), 29 Oct, UK.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Experiences that harm: Dancers’ mental health. Dance Medicine and Science Research Symposium 9-10th May, Wolverhampton, UK.

Sanchez, E. (2023) ‘Investigating support for dancers’ mental health in Australia and NZ: a UK advocate’s perspective’ Dance Research Collaborative (Australia). 1 June 2023.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2021) Psychological Characteristics for Developing Excellence in Dance. Presentation for the University of Birmingham Sport Psychology Research in New Territories Journal Club, 28 Jan 2021.

Organiser

 

Erin has co-organised many conferences on dancers' health: 

  • Leading the Way: A Stronger Future for Dance:  Leading the Way in Dance Healthcare Management – the Science Behind the Arts, Addressing Barriers to Mental Health in Training and Performance, and The Art of Scheduling in Dance Training and Performance, One Dance UK, Nov 2018.
  • Preparing to Fly: a day on safe practice for aerial artists presented by One Dance UK and All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre and Hosted by Dance Base, Edinburgh, One Dance UK and the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, 11 Mar 2018
  • Dissecting Aerial: a 2-day healthier aerial/dance symposium presented by Gravity and Levity in partnership with One Dance UK and The Point Eastleigh, 13 and 14 Jan 2018
  • Healthier Dancer Programme Conference as a part of One Dance UK's Conference Season, Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance, London, 26 Nov2017
  • IADMS Regional Meeting 2017: The Adolescent Dancer, International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, 26 May 2017
  • Mind the Gap: Train smart, Improve Performance  Conference , One Dance UK, 11 May 2017
  • Strength and Conditioning in Dance: Power, Performance and Rehabilitation Conference, One Dance UK, 30 Oct 2016
  • The Future: New Ideas, New Inspirations Conference, Dance UK,  9-12 Apr 2015
  • Aesthetic Athletes and Dancers: Training and Optimising Performance Conference, Dance UK, 7 Apr 2014
  • Beyond the Body: Psychological tools for performance enhancement and wellbeing in dance Conference, Dance UK and the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, 29 Nov 2013
  • Nutrition and Disordered Eating:  Artistry, athleticism, and the role of the multidisciplinary support team, Dance UK and the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, 30 Apr 2012                                                         

 

Participant

  • Understanding the Challenges in Identifying and Developing the Sporting Superstars of Tomorrow, Human Kinetics Webinar, Kevin Till Leeds Beckett University, 23 Oct 2019
  • A Civic Role for Arts Organisations: Relevance Risks Rewards Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch), 18 Sep 2019
  • Book of Man Workshop on Mental Health, 19 May 2019
  • Voluntary Regulation Conference ,15 May 2019
  • Winning, Wellbeing and Welfare: Mental Health in Sport: Moving the UK Forward Together – High-Level Consensus MedEduCare, 12 April 2019
  • IADMS Regional Meeting in association with Physios in Sport and University of Edinburgh: Control - The Interdisciplinary Management of the Artistic Athlete, 30 Mar 2019
  • Tim Gabbett: Optimal Loading for Ballet, presented by The Royal Ballet, 21 Nov 2018
  • The Mental Health of Athletes, Second National Conference, Education and Training Network, 18 Oct 2018
  • BASES: Performance support: Is it science? Kevin Currell, 26 Sept 2018
  • London Arts in Health Forum: Supervision and support for artists working in health contexts, 18 Sept 2018
  • British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine: Get Dynamic – Hormones, Health and Human Performance, 22 March 2018
  • Evolution of Psychotherapy 2017 Conference, 13-17 Dec 2017
  • Evolution of Psychotherapy 2013 Conference, 11-15 Dec 2013
  • Royal Academy of Dance: Dance for Older Learners, 21 July 2013
  • Dance/USA Taskforce on Dancer Health professional meetings, 2012, 2011
  • From Motivation to Movement: Toward an empirical understanding of the role in dance in health, 24-25 Jun 2011                                              
  • Foundations for Excellence Conference 2011: Talent, Innate or Trainable?, 28 Feb 2011
  • International Association of Dance Medicine & Science international conferences, 2010 to present

Papers delivered

Cumming, J., Dwarika, M., Sanchez, E., Bird, G. A., Dewhurst, T. J., Kolitsida, M., Christian A., & Quinton, M. L. (December, 2025). Safeguarding in UK Dance: Progress and areas of needed improvement from the 2025 National Survey. Paper to be presented at the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology of the British Psychological Society, Leeds, UK.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Make or break: Skills and characteristics that support success in dance. International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, 25-28 Sept, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Worth it: Dancers' experiences of dance talent development. International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, 25-28 Sept, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Sanchez, E. (2025). Dance Science in the UK: Collective Power, Shared Vision. Exploring Intersections Between Dance and Science. Imperial College London, Rambert School Collaborative Symposium. 10 Sept, London, UK.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Worth it? Dancers' experiences in dance training and careers. Seeking Sanctuary: Safeguarding and Abuse Prevention in Dance in the UK (Symposium), 29 Oct, UK.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Challenge, Support, and Success: Experiences in Dance Training. International Congress on Safe Sport Research, 18-20 Jun, Québec, Canada.

Cumming, J., Sanchez, E., Bird, G., Kolitsida, M., Tidmarsh, G., Quinton, M. (2025). Safeguarding and Abuse Prevention Policies of UK Dance Organisations. International Congress on Safe Sport Research, 18-20 Jun, Québec, Canada.

Schachtler Dwarika, M., Jordan-Dewhurst, T., Tidmarsh, G., Kolitsida, M., Sanchez, E., Quinton, M., Cumming, J. (2025).

Harmful and abusive practices in dance - what do we know?. International Congress on Safe Sport Research, 18-20 Jun, Québec, Canada.

Kolitsida, M., Dewhurst, J., Cumming, J., Lavis, A., Sanchez, E. (2025). Understanding Self-Harm in Dance: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Self-Harm Education Workshop for Dance Educators. International Congress on Safe Sport Research, 18-20 Jun, Québec, Canada.

Sanchez, E, Clements, L. McGuire Gaines, K., Banerjee. M, Stornæs, A.V., and Collins, D. (2025). Experiences that Harm: Dancers’ Mental Health. Dance Medicine and Science Research Symposium 10-11 May 2025, Walsall, UK.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2025). Experiences that harm: Dancers’ mental health. Dance Medicine and Science Research Symposium 9-10th May, Wolverhampton, UK.

Sanchez, E.N., Collins, D. (2024) Persistent, systemic barriers to dancers’ success and mental health. Australian Society of Performing Arts Healthcare (ASPAH), 23-24 November, Melbourne/Naarm, Australia.

Sanchez, E., Burton, D., Rathle, K., Gaines, K., Karageanes, S. (2024). It is time to break the cycle and stop abuse in dance training. International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, 17-20 Oct, Rimini, Italy. 

Cumming, J., Tidmarsh, G., Bird, G., Kolitsida, M., & Sanchez, E. N. (2024). Safeguarding and abuse prevention in UK dance organisations.  International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, 17-20 Oct, Rimini, Italy. 

Kolitsida, M., Sanchez, E., Cumming, J., & Lavis, A. (2024). An exploratory case study of dance teachers’ responses to self-harm in UK private dance schools. IADMS. 17-20 Oct, Rimini, Italy. 

Waters, S. and Sanchez, E. (2024) Mental health of freelance dance artists; currencies of diversity, disability, and intersectionality.  International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, 17-20 Oct, Rimini, Italy. 

Tidmarsh, G., Sanchez, E. and Cumming, J. (2024) “Dance your heart out: Learnings from an investigation into safeguarding and abuse prevention in UK Dance settings.“ 29th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Glasgow, UK. 2-5 Jul 2024.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2024). Bloom or endure? Prospectively tracking responses to challenge, coping and perceived growth in young dancers. Dance Medicine and Science Research Symposium 11th-12th May 2024, Wolverhampton, UK.

Kolitsida, M., Lavis, A., Cumming, J., and Sanchez. E. (2023) Is Dance Challenging Our definitions of Self-Harm. British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Conference 2023.

Sanchez, E. (2023) ‘Investigating support for dancers’ mental health in Australia and NZ: a UK advocate’s perspective’ Dance Research Collaborative (Australia). 1 June 2023.

Sanchez, E., Nash, C. and Collins, D. (2023) “Talent development: Dancers’ psychological skills in context.” International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Regional Meeting, Middlesex University, London, UK 14 Jan 2023.

Sanchez, E., Nash, C. and Collins, D. (2023) “Defining Resilience: The Performance - Outcome - Process Structure.” Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Waters, S. and Sanchez, E. (2022) “Safeguarding artist mental health: risk and safety in trauma-focused choreographic processes.” IADMS Conference, Limerick, Ireland 30 Oct 2022.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2022). Perceptions of professional and student dancers on psychological skill development during vocational training, challenge and success definitions and experiences and personal characteristics that led to successes. Dance Medicine and Science Research Workshop 14th-15th May 2022, Wolverhampton, UK.

Sanchez, E. (2022) Joy in Dance: Positive benefits on mental health. Paper presented at Scottish Ballet’s Moving Minds an exploration of young people’s mental health and wellbeing through dance conference. 5 May 2022.   

Waters, S. and Sanchez, E. (2021) Practitioner Perspectives. Inclusion and Intersectionality Symposium, 19-20 Nov 2021, Society for Dance Research with C-DaRE, Coventry University and Candoco Dance Company

Lowe, J. Sanchez, E. Stevens, K. and Darnell, B. (2021) Considering Difference. IADMS Conference. 20-24 Oct, Denver, CO

Sanchez, E. (2021) Being Well. Presented for English National Ballet’s Live Well and Dance with Parkinson’s artists’ programme. 30 Sept 2021.

Sanchez, E. and Collins, D. (2021) Psychological Characteristics for Developing Excellence in Dance. Presentation for the University of Birmingham Sport Psychology Research in New Territories Journal Club, 28 Jan 2021.

Sanchez, E., Karageanes, S., and McGuire Gaines, K. (2020) “Safeguarding in the context of dance education: a panel discussion.” International Association of Dance Medicine and Science iConference.

Waters, S., Peck. S., and Sanchez, E. (2020) “Safeguarding the mental health of the artist in the creative process: calming emotional arousal.” International Association of Dance Medicine and Science iConference.

Sanchez, E.N., Walker, I.J., and Nordin-Bates, S.M. (2011) “Cultural background variables in dance talent development” From motivation to movement: Towards an empirical understanding of the role of dance in health, 1st International Congress of Dance in Health, Bedford, UK, University of Bedfordshire.

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