Dear DWP Community,
With 2023 coming to a close, I am reflecting on the past year feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the community of care and compassion that we are building together at Dancing with Parkinson’s. 2023 has been a significant period of growth and expansion – where we are today makes it hard to believe that only one year ago we were navigating our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering our online program and starting to reintroduce in-studio dance classes. Now here we are with 14 in-person locations across the greater Toronto area, our first class outside of Ontario and more to come!
For many who join us in-person and online, DWP classes offer a gateway to connection, vitality and potential. Through the universal language of dance, we embrace a vision that knows no limits, that defies age and circumstance, and welcomes everyone who dares to dream, aspire, and become the embodiment of their own imagination.
We have been lucky enough to bear witness to these moments unfolding all around us: in addition to the joy of dancing online and in-person, we have forged meaningful friendships, we have learned from each other, and we have evolved together.
Recently we hosted our 2nd Annual General Meeting with our board of directors which offered us an important opportunity to look back on the year. There was not a dry eye in the place as we watched this video, awe-struck by what we, as a community, have accomplished and discovered together. If you would like to read our annual report, click here.
None of this would be possible without the passion of our team, the direction of the board, the generosity of our supporters, the dedication of our volunteers, and the commitment of our dancers. It is not lost on me that this magic exists because of all of you.
And so I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And I wish you and yours a beautiful holiday season.
My best,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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SAVE THE DATE! January 19th, 2024
A special opportunity for the DWP community to dance together (online and in-person) to the music of Burt Bacharach, inspired by choreography created and performed by the internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group. Stay tuned for details!
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It was a regular Monday at Trinity St. Paul, and the weekly in-person class, being led by Cassie, was just getting started. The theme was "Broadway" and the song was "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the hit musical "Hairspray". Dancers were getting warmed up, feeling the music in their bodies, and, seemingly out of nowhere, Nestor, a wonderful man and former Ukrainian dancer living with Parkinson's stood up and took to the floor! Dancing his heart out to the surprise and delight of all of us!
We love you Nestor! Thank you for reminding us of the joy and power of music to get us moving! Stay tuned to learn Nestor's touching story, coming soon.
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One year ago, DWP received a special request from a gentleman from PEI who is living with Parkinson’s disease. He asked Sarah to bring an in-person class to Charlottetown.
After many months of productive collaboration with the incredible team from the PEI Parkinson Association, one-on-one Zoom training with a wonderful local dance teacher, Julia Sauve, and recruitment of thoughtful and caring volunteers, we are thrilled to announce that this lovely gentleman’s request is now a reality…
In partnership with Florence Larkin, Dan, Maureen, Lou and Irene from the PEI PD Association, an in-person dance class based on the Dance for PD® method will be launching in PEI on Thursdays at 1:00pm AST, starting on January 4th!
It has been nothing short of an absolute pleasure and privilege to learn from, and work with, this fantastic community to help bring people living with PD together celebrate the joy of movement and artistic-expression.
The DWP team is honoured and humbled to help increase access to programs that benefit people living with PD.
Thank you for welcoming us, for trusting us, and for dreaming and dancing with us.
Are you on PEI? We would love to have you join us! Weekly classes start on January 4th, 2024. Click here to learn more about our Charlottetown-based class, and to register!
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Welcome Julia Sauve!
We are thrilled to welcome Julia to the Dancing with Parkinson's team of instructors! Julia will be leading our in-person class for people living with PD and their care partners on Prince Edward Island.
Julia, a seasoned dancer and dance instructor, hails from New York, but through a serendipitous meeting 44 years ago with a woman from PEI, she decided to make a home and a life for herself and her family in Charlottetown.
Through her work opening, building and operating dance studios on PEI, Julia has become an institution in the Charlottetown dance community. You can't walk down the street in town without bumping into someone she knows or has taught!
Her passion spans all styles of dance, with a particular interest in contemporary, and now in the intersection between dance and health. Her latest initiative is called “Dance for the Health of It”, bringing participants in their late 30s+ to enjoy the physical and spiritual benefits of moving to music. She also specializes in therapeutic elements in stroke recovery, designing a dance program for stroke survivors and their care partners.
We are delighted to have Julia teaching the first Dancing with Parkinson's class in Charlottetown. We can't wait to watch this beautiful community continue to grow and evolve as they dance together.
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As Seen, Heard and Read on...
Thank you to CBC for highlighting our recent partnership and class launch in PEI!
Watch, listen and read about how this beautiful partnership came to be, how the launch went and how participants and volunteers feel about the opportunity to dance together every week!
- CBC NEWS PEI: Islanders with Parkinson's bust a move in fun-filled dance class (As seen on "Compass" and "Atlantic Tonight") Click here to watch.
- CBC PEl's "Island Morning" Announces New Dance Class in Charlottetown. Click here to listen.
- CBC NEWS: P.E.I. dance class provides emotional and physical benefits to people with Parkinson's. Click to read article.
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Join our In-Person Class in Ottawa!
DWP's newest in-person class has launched in Ottawa! We can't wait to dance with you on a weekly basis!
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Location: Amberwood Village Golf Club, 54 Springbrook Drive, Stittsville, ON
This class is open to people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners. For more information and to register click HERE.
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During the month of November, DWP teachers led demo classes at a number of locations around Southern Ontario including Schlegel Villages Humber Heights, Olde Forge, North York General Hospital, Blue Mountain Manor, the Baycrest Day Treatment Centre and Chester Village. In the coming weeks, we look forward to dancing with participants in South Georgian Bay and Owen Sound, and to Sarah's presentation on behavioral neurology at St. Michael's Hospital.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share DWP's work and to engage new participants in the joy and benefits of dance.
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DWP is passionate about introducing our fun and beneficial program to new dancers by offering free demo classes, presentations and webinars! For more information about booking one for your group, please email us.
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Intergenerational Online Workshop
Date: Tuesday December 19th
Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm on Zoom using the Daily Dance Connect class Zoom link
Zoom Link: Click here
We love when Ms Wing-Yee's class joins the Daily Dance Connect class. It's moments like these that remind us how dance has the power to break down all barriers, including age and ability! DWP dancers are invited to join children of Forest Hill Public School on December 19th to create dance magic together !
If you would like to learn more about this important initiative and our recent work with dancers and students, please click here to visit our Intergenerational Projects page!
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On November 2, Sarah had the honour of sharing the benefits of dance as part of the Ontario Brain Institute’s “Breakthroughs in Brain Health” panel in Erin, Ontario.
There were several key takeaways that were consistent from all of the inspiring presentations: movement, sleep, water, nutrition, connection and *trying something new* are paramount to the creation and strengthening of neuropathways that will keep our brains healthier, longer.
What’s one thing you can do today to benefit your brain? Here’s an idea: come and dance with us!
Join us online for the Daily Dance Connect. 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, free of charge!
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Richard Mayede: PD Superhero!
Last month, we had the pleasure of hearing from Richard Mayede who regularly joins us for the Daily Dance Connect bright and early from his Vancouver home. Richard shared a slice of his life as a person living with young onset Parkinson's who has become a true champion for people living with PD. He is actively involved with Parkinson Canada, helping to organize and lead local Parkinson Superwalks. Richard has also produced This is Parkinson's and This is Parkinson's Too -- a video series exploring various aspects of living with Parkinson's through honest personal narratives, interviews and conversation. He also shared a series of compelling photos of him leaping and jumping in different geographies and settings, capturing his athleticism and tenacious spirit (see photo above). When asked what these photos mean to him, Richard shared that they document what he is truly capable of, even if someday, like many of us, he may no longer be able to physically jump that high in the air. Thank you so much for your candid and thoughtful insight, Richard!
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Our "Slice of Life" series offers opportunities for DWP participants to share stories, life experiences, hobbies and passions for all of us to get to know one another better and possibly, learning something new.
We want to hear your story! If you are interested in presenting a slice of your life, please contact akhil@dancingwithparkinsons.com.
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We love dancing with you "live" at the Daily Dance Connect class every day at 11:00am, but we know that sometimes schedules or energy levels don't align. Don't you worry: we've got you covered so that you can join whenever it suits you!
Check out Dancing with Parkinson's YouTube channel for access to recorded classes that you can enjoy at any time.
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I cannot express my joy and thankfulness with how committed the DWP team. With everything you do we are lifted up in so many meaningful ways...not just in movement but in spirit. So caring and respectful...I could go on and on. I think I can speak for all of us — it’s incredibly valuable and appreciated.
~ DWP Dancer
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It’s Giving Season!
Every day, dancers, care partners, family and friends join us from coast to coast to experience the physical, emotional and spiritual power of dance.
This season, please give what you can to help DWP continue to engage the most underserved and vulnerable populations, including those living with Parkinson's disease and other neurological and movement disorders, as well as isolated seniors.
Your donation is vital for DWP to increase access to our research-backed classes by keeping them free of charge for all participants across Canada.
Without you, this would not be possible.
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