Michele Pye, PhD, LAT, ATC
Dr. Michele Pye is the Division Director for the Division of Athletic Training and serves as the Program Director for the Graduate Certificates in Performing Arts Medicine (PAM), Performing Arts Health and Fitness (PAHF), Esports Medicine (ESM), and Esports Health and Fitness (ESHF). Dr. Pye earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Science from Illinois State University, both degrees focusing on Athletic Training. She obtained her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Applied Neuromechanics. Michele teaches a variety of healthcare professionals the application of their clinical skills to underserved communities, such as the performing arts community and esport athletes. Dr. Pye’s research focuses on characterizing neuromuscular control patterns as assessed by 1) postural control, 2) biomechanics, and 3) muscular activation, in physically active populations. Specifically, she is currently investigating neuromuscular control differences between female athletes at high risk (soccer, basketball, etc.) and low risk (dancers) of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Identification of neuromuscular differences between these populations can lead to the development of an evidence-based ACL prevention program, decreasing the risk of early-onset osteoarthritis in our young athletes.
Dr. Kelley Wiese
Dr. Kelley Wiese is an athletic trainer, educator, and researcher specializing in performing arts medicine. She is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Athletic Training and is the Associate Director of the Performing Arts Medicine Program.Dr. Wiese earned her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Kinesiology from George Mason University, her M.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Indiana University, and her B.S. in Athletic Training from James Madison University. Her research focuses on examining physical and mental workload and sleep in collegiate dancers, and she has published and presented her research at multiple regional, national, and international conferences. Her research interests include workload monitoring, sleep health, and injury prevention in the performing arts. Dr. Wiese’s personal background in dance and musical theater informs her professional commitment to advancing health, wellness, and performance for dancers and performing artists.
Jacob Manley PT, DPT, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Dr. Manley is a licensed athletic trainer, physical therapist, strength coach, and graduate of Shenandoah’s Dual MSAT/DPT and Performing Arts Medicine program. Jacob has been assisting with the Performing Arts Medicine program since his graduation in 2017, assisting with backstage coverage and now as an assistant professor. He is a growing advocate for health and wellness in the performing arts. Dr. Manley has spoken internationally on strength and conditioning in the performing arts, and his research focuses on the implementation of resistance training in dance classes for the reduction of injury and performance enhancement.
Christopher Chang MD
Dr. Chang is a board certified ENT surgeon with additional specialized training in laryngology and vocal disorders. Dr. Chang is an adjunct faculty for the Shenandoah University Graduate Certificate program in performing arts medicine.
Erica M. Helm
Erica M. Helm has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the American College Dance Festival Association, and in the Dance Education Division of the Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In 1999, Helm received an Artie Award from the Shenandoah Arts Council, recognizing her contributions to the artistic community of this region. She has received several awards from Shenandoah University, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the Wilkins Award.
As a member of the Shenandoah Chamber Dance Company, she performed throughout the Shenandoah Valley region as well as in Washington, D.C. and on tour to Trinidad. She also danced for the Honolulu City Ballet, appearing in classical and contemporary repertoire as well as performing as a guest artist with Ballet Hawaii and the Hawaii Opera Theatre. As a member of still MOVING dance company, she was engaged in a teaching and performance residency at the Harvard Center for the Arts in Boston in 2001.
Erica Helm has choreographed for The University of Hawaii Dance Theatre, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Opera Americana in Alexandria, Virginia, East Carolina University and for dance companies and madrigal ensembles in Hawaii and Texas. Her works have been presented in several Washington, D.C. venues, including the Jack Guidone Theatre, the Austrian Embassy and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as on tour in England, Spain, Scotland and China. Her choreography has also been selected by adjudication for the Annual Choreographers’ Showcase held at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, Maryland, and the Choreographer’s Showcase produced by the Reston Arts Council.
