About Ali
Ali McClellan (M.S., R-DMT, LCAT-LP) is an Arkansas-bred, Brooklyn-based movement artist, dance movement therapist, choreographer, and co-founder of Mind-Body-Move. She began dancing at a young age, training in ballet, contemporary, improvisation, and jazz styles for 15 years. Ali has had the privilege of training with artists such as Tracie Stanfield, Arleen Sugano, Kristen Pittman, Nick Palmquist, and more. Upon moving to New York in 2018, Ali completed a Bachelor of Arts in Dance (Body, Science, Motion) and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College. Ali acquired her Master of Science degree in Dance Movement Psychotherapy from the Pratt Institute and is in process of completing a Certificate of Trauma-Informed Clinical Care from New York University. Ali currently works in a private practice setting, providing services to individuals and couples.
Dance/Movement Therapy Offerings
Dance/movement therapy provides an expansive framework of viewing movement, inviting an investigation of one’s internal and external world(s), spontaneity as expression, and the innate emotional catharsis of movement. Unloading your anxieties, stressors, and thoughts can feel relieving when you know they're safely contained. Whether you're navigating inner conflicts, looking to launch your relationships and career, or coping with life changes, we can release what you no longer want to hold, and embrace all that you do. I am currently offering individual and couples therapy through Greenpoint Psychotherapy in Brooklyn, NY. See the link below for more information.
Choreography, Workshops, and Classes
Click here to view class and performance choreography
Choreography
I specialize in contemporary choreography that blends detail and flow. I have 10+ years experience choreographing for dancers and studios throughout the southern U.S. Whether you're looking for solo choreography that highlights your strengths and artistry, or group/ competition choreography-- I would love to join you in the studio to explore together.
Workshops
I love joining summer intensives for studios across the southern U.S. My summer workshop classes often include improvisation, dance/movement therapeutic concepts, contemporary-dance technique refinement, and community-oriented artistic exploration.
I currently run a monthly movement series in NYC- Mind Body Move- with my friend and colleague Julia Saltzman (R-DMT). Check out our instagram (@mind.body.mvmt) for updates on the next workshop.
Interested in learning more? Feel free to reach out via my instagram (@ali_mcclellan) or email- mcclellan18@gmail.com.
What to expect from class
I believe class is a space where we can increase our comfortability with seeing- and allowing ourselves to be seen. The potential for self-discovery is abound when you break free from aesthetic expectations and perfectionism.
Why dance/movement therapeutic work in the dance studio settings?
Mental Health for Dancers MATTERS
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When a person's nervous system is overwhelmed, new information cannot be processed. In the dance classroom, this can look like distraction, overwhelm/ anxiety, challenges with remembering choreography, self-esteem challenges and more.
Dance/movement therapy can assist dancers in returning to their bodies- safely and in an attuned way- to show up as their best selves for prime artistic growth.
