The Healing Process of Creativity | Melissa Pihos | TEDxValdostaState

Legacy: The Healing Process of Creativity | Melissa Pihos| TEDxValdostaState Melissa Pihos began dancing at a very young age and has been performing professionally for over 25 years. She has performed all over the United States. Her film work has screened in several film festivals across the country and her choreography has been performed internationally. She has danced for Flatlands Dance Theatre, Larry Keigwin, Van Dyke Dance Group, John Gamble Dance Theatre and Sidelong Dance Company. She has also performed in works by Martha Graham and Twyla Tharp.She is an award-winning filmmaker and is currently touring her work, PIHOS A Moving Biography as Alzheimer’s disease awareness events. PIHOS A Moving Biography is a documentary dance/film performance that explores the life of her father, NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver, Pete Pihos and his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The work has toured to Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Lubbock, TX, Philadelphia, New York City, Valdosta, GA and Santa Fe. She has co-written and published an interactive digital dance textbook, called Dance and Culture with Associate Professor at Florida Southern College, Erin LaSala Phillips.Melissa has also worked with NFL Films on a feature titled, NFL Films Presents, Remembering Forgotten Heroes, which was about her Dad’s story and her journey to uncover it.Pihos holds an MFA in Choreography/Dance from UNC-Greensboro and a BA in Biology. She is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Valdosta State University. Her previous dance faculty appointments include UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte, High Point University and Salem College This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx