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Dear DWP community,
Summer has a way of scattering us all in different directions, but somehow, dance keeps finding us wherever we land, and will continue to bring us together.
We've moved in sunlit backyards, on the deck at the cottage, with visiting friends and family by our sides. No matter the setting, you show up, you dance, and in doing so, you remind us that connection was never about where we are, it's about the decision to log in from here, there and everywhere.
It still astounds me (in the very best way!) that we can dance together in this way, as we have been doing every single day since March 2020. That we can feel so connected through physical distance, worlds, stories and experiences bringing us closer, one class at a time. These small moments add up to something bigger: a community that moves together, even when we're apart.
So wherever this summer has or will take you, we encourage you to keep moving, keep imagining, and know that we are always just a Zoom link away, ready to welcome you (back) today and every day.
With gratitude and the warmth of summer,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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"Dancing Through Life" on CBC Gem!
Last year, talented student filmmakers Blake, Aimee, Grace, and Julian from Toronto Metropolitan University created "Dancing Through Life," a moving documentary capturing the heart and soul of our Dancing with Parkinson's community — the resilience of our dancers, the dedication of our care partners and volunteers, and the vision of DWP's Founder & CEO, Sarah Robichaud. And now, dancers from our very own Trinity St Paul class are shining even brighter: their story was recently featured on CBC's "Absolutely Canadian" series!
Our heartfelt thanks, once again, to Blake, Aimee, Grace, and Julian for thinking of DWP for your film. Every day we feel the joy, connection, and hope that movement brings to our community, and, through you, we have the opportunity to share it with the world.
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A Special Message to DWP Dancers from Aimee, Blake, Grace and Julian
We wanted to share this exciting news with you and the entire Dancing with Parkinson's community, as none of this would have been possible without everyone who welcomed us so warmly and trusted us to tell their stories. Even a year later, we all still look back on making this documentary as one of the greatest experiences of our lives. Every one of you made such a lasting impact on us, and we feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know you. We're so excited that more people will now have the chance to learn about the incredible impact of Dancing with Parkinson's and the amazing community that makes it so special.
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A Family That Dances Together…
During a recent Daily Dance Connect, Robin McPhail-Dempsey, who was leading the class, was joined by her parents, Patricia and Larry, as her backup dancers! Not only did they dance alongside her that day, but they also regularly log into the online class from their home, and volunteer at the in-person class in Mississauga! This family is truly something special.
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Partnership is at the heart of Dancing with Parkinson’s. By joining forces with like-minded organizations that support people living with Parkinson’s and seniors, we are able to extend our reach and deepen our impact. It is an honour to work alongside so many incredible partners and leaders in the field, and to celebrate our shared commitment to the communities we serve.
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Expanding DWP's Hybrid-DDC Program Across the GTA!
In collaboration with Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation and the NORC Innovation Centre, DWP has expanded the Hybrid Daily Dance Connect (Hybrid-DDC) program with four new locations, bringing our total to eight buildings! DWP and our compassionate team of facilitators are bringing the movement, magic, and connection of the DDC into spaces across the GTA where accessible programming is often lacking.
Each location brings something special. At Dixon Hall, participants stick around after class to chat and mingle, building new friendships in their community. At Thorncliffe Park, in partnership with The Neighbourhood Organization, up to 40 dancers often join us weekly — the joy in the room is palpable. At our new John Street location, supported by NORC, instructor Phoebe Chu teaches the monthly in-person class in Chinese, the language spoken by most residents, making the program truly accessible. And at our newest location, Orchard View Blvd, also offered in partnership with NORC, residents have expressed deep gratitude for programming that was previously out of reach.
We're so proud of this growth, and even more excited for the new communities we get to dance alongside! For a sneak peek of DWP's Hybrid-DDC program, click the button below.
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Looking for an In-Person Class Outside Canada? Dance for PD® has you Covered!
Dance for PD® is a valued partner of DWP, and holds a special place in our story — it's where Sarah Robichaud trained in the Dance for PD® method 18 years ago, alongside great friend David Leventhal.
Dance for PD® offers in-person classes all over the world, bringing the same spirit of movement, connection, and joy to communities everywhere. You can always join DWP's free, online Daily Dance Connect from wherever you are, but if you're looking for an incredible in-person class outside of Canada, we definitely encourage you to check out a Dance for PD location!
To find out where they're dancing, click the button below!
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Congratulations to Claudia Moore!
We are delighted to share that our wonderful friend and new DWP instructor, Claudia Moore, who leads our in-person class in Penticton, BC, has been named to this year's Dance Hall of Fame by the Dance Collection Danse! This well-deserved honour celebrates Claudia's significant contributions to dance, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognized alongside so many talented inductees.
Claudia has made an indelible mark on dance in Canada and beyond, and has become a source of inspiration to our community in particular. This recognition is a beautiful reflection of the artistry and heart she brings to everything she does. Congratulations Claudia!
To listen to the formal announcement, click the button below!
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From coast to coast, dancers are experiencing the joy and benefits of moving together to music with Dancing with Parkinson’s. Our aim is to make our programs accessible, inclusive, and to meet you where you are.
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Celebrating Canada on July 1st!
Last month, our wonderful instructor, Robin McPhail-Dempsey, led a patriotic Canada Day celebration on the Daily Dance Connect! We loved coming together, every day including holidays, in honour of this amazing place we get to call home — complete with "fireworks"!
To watch them light up Zoom, click here.
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Charlottetown Shines!
Dancers at DWP's in-person class in Charlottetown, PEI have been hard at work — building, learning, practicing, and performing incredible new choreography! With guidance and vision from our wonderful instructor, Julia Sauve, this huge dance crew absolutely nailed it!
Click here to enjoy their performance.
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Dancing Together at 310 Dundas!
We love seeing all these smiling faces at our Hybrid-DDC class at 310 Dundas, one of the Toronto Seniors Housing buildings where we stream the Daily Dance Connect for residents every week! This program is so meaningful to us, and we're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with this wonderful community.
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Orchard View Blvd is Going Strong!
The Hybrid-DDC class at Orchard View Blvd is one of DWP's newer offerings, giving residents weekly access to the Daily Dance Connect with support from a Hybrid Facilitator, as well as monthly in-person instruction. It makes us so happy to see this community loving not only the dancing, but the opportunity to connect as neighbours and friends.
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Experiencing a DWP class firsthand is the best way to understand its impact, so in addition to our regular 50+ weekly in-person and online classes, we are always on the go offering demonstrations, presentations and webinars. Here is where we shared the magic this past month!
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Celebrating Christmas on the Bay in the Summer in Meaford!
Earlier this summer, DWP's phenomenal instructors, Louise Stewart Potts and Phoebe North, led our dancers in the Georgian Bay area in a rousing performance to close the "Spirit of Inclusion Concert - Take 2 - Joy and Harmony!" They lit up the stage and the crowd with electric choreography, catchy tunes and energy that raised the roof.
Proof that the festive spirit moves us in every seasons! To experience the joy for yourself, click the button below. DWP comes on at minute 45.
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Sharing Movement, Joy, and Connection...
Through the month of July, we had a fantastic time dancing with new friends at Lakeshore Lodge and Pinecrest - Ottawa’s Bayshore community.
Looking ahead this month, DWP will be sharing the joy and benefits of dance at Cummer Lodge, among others. We can't wait!
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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 at info@dancingwithparkinsons.com.
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Laetitia Clément
Laetitia shared her remarkable journey as a soloist with the Alberta Ballet, a career she continued even through pregnancy — performing as the Snow Queen while three months along, and later raising her daughter Amelie in the studio with the help of a "village" of 35 fellow dancers. After retiring following a final showcase at the Vancouver Olympics, she moved to Toronto, opened her own studio, and watched Amelie grow into an award-winning contemporary dancer. The group closed by dancing to "La Valse d'Amélie," the very song playing the day Laetitia learned she was expecting — and the inspiration behind her daughter's name.
Thank you, Laetitia, for sharing your and Amelie's heartwarming story!
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Glenda Doucet-Boudreau
Glenda shared highlights from her recent South American cruise with her husband and daughter aboard the Norwegian Jade. The journey began in Miami and continued through Colombia, Ecuador, Panama City, and Peru, before wrapping up with a stay at her daughter's Airbnb in Curaçao. It was a full-scale adventure — rich in history, culinary discoveries like fruit sampling and local chocolate, environmental encounters with sloths, and artistic traditions like a Panama hat workshop. Glenda closed by showcasing jewelry crafted from Peruvian palm seeds, and the group danced together to celebrate the culture of this unforgettable trip!
We loved hearing about your spectacular adventure, Glenda! Thank you!
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“My movements are getting better and my shaking has decreased a little bit, so my neurologist said 'Let's cut back on the medication for a little while and see how you react to it.' I’m very encouraged by that."
~ Harjinder Brar, DWP Dancer in Penticton, BC
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Calling All Volunteers!
Volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive space where dancers can feel comfortable to move and express themselves. This is meaningful, heart-led work — an opportunity to give back to a beautiful community through art, connection, and self-expression.
Join us and be part of something that truly makes a difference in the lives of others! Click the button below to learn more about the various volunteer oppportunies available with DWP.
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Follow Us on LinkedIn — New Page Alert!
DWP has moved on LinkedIn! Our new official Dancing with Parkinson's page is live, and we would love for you to connect with us there.
If you have been following our previous page, please make the switch so you stay connected and don't miss any of our updates, stories, and announcements.
Click the button below! It takes two seconds and means so much to us.
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Dance with Us Anytime, from Anywhere!
Did you know that DWP has a YouTube channel with Daily Dance Connect classes? So you can log in from wherever you are, whenever you like to dance! Watch this space as we'll be adding new DDC videos over the course of the year.
To enjoy music from DWP's online classes, listen "live" here!
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Why Does DWP Matter?
Every day, people tell us how our research-backed programs bring joy, friendship and connection to their lives, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Click below to make a donation to help keep our programs free of charge for all who wish to participate.
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