Who is Glenna Batson?
Glenna Batson, PT, DSc, MA has devoted 30 years to evolving creative approaches to movement as catalysts for expression, personal growth, and integral wellbeing. Glenna holds a Masters in Dance Education and in Physical Therapy, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (Neurology). First person to apprentice with Irene Dowd in 1977 in Ideokinesis, Glenna is also an internationally recognized and certified teacher of the Alexander Technique (since 1989). She has traveled and taught extensively and has served in many capacities as dance scientist and educator, performing arts coach, somatic learning educator, and arts advocate. From 2000 to 2003, she ran a community-based movement arts studio, Wellness Partners in the Arts (WPA) based on the concept of the Works Progress Administration to celebrate the movement arts as part of Downtown Durham’s urban renaissance. She currently is Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University. Her research interests include correlating concepts from somatic education with movement science principles in promoting sound practices in dance training. Adjunct positions include Alexander Technique teacher in residence at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (since 2004), and the Hollins/ADF M.F.A. program (since 1986). Born into a modern dance family (mother with Denishawn and Hanya Holm), Glenna studied many modern dance and ethnic styles throughout her life. In 2005, she founded The Wise Cracks, a performing ensemble designed to dispel stereotypes of seasoned women.