The Humans Behind DANCE|PREHAB
We are a physical therapy clinic and dance health education organization dedicated to elevating care and health knowledge for performing artists.
At DANCE|PREHAB, we know true performance health is born from collaboration — where science meets artistry and care extends beyond the studio into the lives of dancers and families.
Dr. Robert Tsai, PT, DPT
Dance Performance Physical Therapist
Founder & Director
Rob, originally from Taipei, Taiwan, studied Communication Theory and Dance Performance before earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Chapman University. Before becoming a physical therapist, he spent 8 years in the Los Angeles commercial dance industry as a professional dancer.
His clinical work has supported dancers at every level from youth and pre-professional students to collegiate dancers and professionals performing in concert, commercial, and theme park settings like Disneyland Resort and UC Irvine’s Department of Dance.
Rob has shared his educational work through national dance medicine conferences and guest teaching at institutions such as The Juilliard School, NYU Tisch, School of American Ballet, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and American Ballet Theatre Gillespie School. Rob is also on faculty at Chapman University in both the dance and physical therapy departments, developing courses and facilitating learning experiences to benefit both DPT and dance students.
At the heart of his approach, Rob knows that healing and learning happen best through conversation, curiosity, and caring for the whole person behind the dancer.
Dr. Claire Spivak, PT, DPT
Dance Performance Physical Therapist
Volunteer Coordinator
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Claire’s dance training began at Professional Ballet School/Young Artists’ Ballet Theatre where she danced pre-professionally and attended summer intensives at Kirov Academy of Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet West.
Claire’s love for movement and desire to pursue physical therapy was shaped by her dance background. While navigating various injuries of her own, Claire realized the strong need to advance the standard of care for artist-athletes.
Claire continued her dance training at California State University Long Beach and graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Science. She then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Chapman University, graduating with honors. Throughout her clinical rotations, Claire gained experience in working with a diverse patient population and has had the rewarding privilege of treating dancers and performing artists.
Claire fosters a collaborative and exploratory space where artist-athletes are supported, challenged, and empowered. She is passionate about providing individualized, goal-centered care to enhance performance and longevity in the studio, on stage, and beyond.
Dr. Ludmila Malakhov, PT, DPT
Dance Performance Physical Therapist
Ludmila Malakhov (she/her) graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. Ludmila was first inspired to pursue physical therapy by her own experiences in navigating injuries as a dancer and seeing the importance of individualized care that thoroughly understands the needs and training demands of a dancer.
Dr. Ludmila Malakhov is passionate about working with artists of all ages and backgrounds achieve their goals in a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment that honors them not just a dancer, but as a person first and foremost.
Ludmila continues to teach ballet and dance in the LA area, in addition to serving as the ballet mistress and as a production advisor to Little Women Ballet in LA. This diversity in roles has allowed Ludmila to develop a deep appreciation for the importance of having a strong team in supporting artists through their goals, on stage and beyond.
Mia Bella McGarity
Family Care Coordinator
Mia Bella McGarity began her dance career as a competitive dancer in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she honed her skills across various styles at competitions and conventions. Her passion for dance led her to Chapman University, where she excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Dance and a BFA in Creative Producing.
Mia Bella McGarity began her dance career as a competitive dancer in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she honed her skills across various styles at competitions and conventions. Her passion for dance led her to Chapman University, where she excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Dance and a BFA in Creative Producing.
With experience in teaching dance and working as a staff member for World of Dance, she now embraces her role as Family Care Coordinator at DANCE|PREHAB, where she is eager to support and guide fellow dancers through their movement journeys.
Valerie Chen
Social Media Coordinator
Valerie Chen is a Taiwanese American artist whose love for dance and movement creation began in Irvine, California. In high school she attended the Orange County School for the Arts in the Commercial Dance Conservatory, developing herself as a multifaceted dancer in both the commercial and classical spheres. Valerie simultaneously trained at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy and Jessie Riley’s Westside Dance Project.
Continuing her dance education, Valerie received a BFA in Dance at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. While at Kaufman she witnessed new movement styles, a culture of care, and ingenious innovation which nourished her passion for performance and experimentation. She has performed works by Kyle Abraham, Hope Boykin, Jiří Kylián, Micaela Taylor, Justin Peck, Christopher Wheeldon, and Paul Taylor, among others.
Upon graduating Valerie joined South Chicago Dance Theatre as a main company member where she performed works by Frank Chavez, Kate Weare, and others. Valerie aspires to bring dance to new spaces, break boundaries of expectation, and share movement histories with each community she meets.
