Dear DWP Community,

This past month, I had the joy of spending some time in the beautiful studios of Canada’s National Ballet School, where we wrapped another deeply inspiring teacher training session in partnership with our longtime friends at NBS and Dance for PD®. David Leventhal, the founding teacher of Dance for PD®, co-led a series of workshops with me for our latest group of trainees—and, as always, these sessions were equal parts sweat, storytelling, science, and soul. A huge highlight was getting to teach with "Sarah Too" (DWP's "other" Sarah—Sarah Murphy-Dyson.)

Every training reminds me just how far we’ve come...and just how much there is to keep learning (spoiler: it’s a lot!). Teaching this method means showing up with curiosity and humility—and sometimes a portable speaker, AirPods and a mic that refuse to connect via Bluetooth!

For over 17 years, we’ve been developing and refining the Dancing with Parkinson's method—an evidence-based, science-supported approach grounded in classical ballet, but built to be expressive, adaptive, and, most importantly, human. It’s infused with imagery, visualization and storytelling—because sometimes the best way to spark movement is to imagine your hand as a floating feather, your feet stomping into mud or your wings expanding to the width of the room.

And while the method is rooted in strong foundations, our instructors help bring it to life, each one adding their own artistry, teaching style, and heart to the dance space.

Here’s something people often don’t realize: our teacher training is not a one-and-done situation. It’s not “congrats, here’s your certificate, off you go!” It is a layered process that can include months of interviews, online modules, hybrid intensives, in-person check-ins and lots of follow up support on co-creation!

We believe in ongoing mentorship, community connection, and regular professional development. Teaching at DWP means you’re never doing it alone—you’re part of a team, a movement, and, honestly, a bit of a family.

Today, we have 24 trained instructors who teach with us from across Canada. And while that might sound like just a number, it represents something much bigger: a national network of creative, compassionate humans making dance accessible to seniors and people living with Parkinson’s disease from PEI to BC, and multiple locations between. No matter where a class takes place, the same thoughtful, intentional method is there—just like it was in that very first DWP class I ever taught back in 2008.

As we continue to grow, we are always on the lookout for new instructors who believe, as we do, that art has the capacity to heal. That dance is more than movement—it is connection. It is joy. It is science and soul, dancing together toward something truly transformational, one class, one event, one demonstration, one dancer at a time.

If you—or someone you know—is curious, passionate, and a little bit obsessed with movement and music, I would love to speak with you to share more about the magic that is Dancing with Parkinson's. And if you are a dancer, know that we are committed to continuing to learn, evolve and improve our program so that we can serve you best.

Sending you my best, with a heart filled with gratitude,

Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO

Bringing Communities Together with DWP’s New Hybrid Program

How wonderful to see our friends from the Kingston Road Toronto Seniors Housing building enjoying the Daily Dance Connect through DWP’s new Hybrid Program! We’re absolutely thrilled to see its impact—bringing joy, movement, and connection to underserved communities across Toronto.

This powerful partnership with Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation and NORC Innovation Centre (NIC) allows DWP to share the benefits of dance with seniors communities near and far, breaking down barriers that include income, language, and social isolation.

DWP’s online Daily Dance Connect is levelled up when combined with the incredible energy of dancing together in-person in shared community spaces, free of charge!

Spinning Wheels Pedals Across Canada...Again!

Dancing with Parkinson’s is absolutely thrilled to be reconnecting with our friends Lloyd, Jim, and Mike from Spinning Wheels as they gear up for their annual cross-Canada relay ride, raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease.

Starting August 1st, the team will set out on their bikes once again—riding from coast to coast to coast and connecting with people living with Parkinson’s in communities across the country. Along the way, they’ll share stories, foster connection, and shine a national spotlight on the power of movement and community.

We can’t wait to welcome the Spinning Wheels crew back to Daily Dance Connect, where they’ll join us live to share highlights from their incredible journey.

The team has a host of exciting initiatives planned in the lead-up to their ride—you can follow their progress and get involved here.

To relive our memorable time shared with the Spinning Wheels team, click here.

From Dancing to Coffee to Lasting Friendship

Aside from dancing with all of you—our greatest joy—one of the things we cherish most is hearing about the friendships that blossom through Dancing with Parkinson’s. When we learn that dancers who met in our classes are spending time together outside the studio, our hearts are full.

These moments are a powerful reminder that this program is about so much more than movement. It’s about connection, community, and creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and uplifted. The shared rhythm of dance may bring us together, but it’s the laughter, the conversations, and the friendships that continue to grow long after the music fades—that’s what makes this truly special.

Thank you to Louisa, Eileen and Lydia for sharing this wonderful moment with us, when they connected outside of class for coffee and a catch up!

The Power of Movement for Bodies, Minds and Souls!

There's just something about this recent moment of magic at Trinity St. Paul that brings such a smile to our faces. The energy, the connection, the choreography, the feel-good music...all of it!

How lucky are we that these moments happen in our online and in-person classes every day? They are a beautiful and powerful reminder of what is possible just by showing up, even on days when we don't feel like it.

Join us online or at one of our locations across Canada and experience the shift for yourself! Click the button below to see where we are dancing.

Celebrating Elysse in Ottawa...and from Afar!

Last week, we had a wonderful time Zooming into DWP’s Ottawa class to dance alongside the Ottawa community in celebration of Elysse, DWP's newest teacher, completing her DWP teacher training. 

It was so special to join remotely and witness the warmth and energy of the beautiful dance family that has grown there. We loved seeing our amazing Ottawa-based teachers, Kathleen and Nancy, our fabulous volunteer, Sandy, and of course, to experience, Elysse shining in action. 

The connection and spirit in the room were palpable—even through the screen! We can’t wait to introduce Elysse to the wider DWP community.

If you're in the Ottawa area, we encourage you to come dance with us and to meet Elysse! 

Details:
Day and Time: Mondays at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Britannia United Church, 985 Pinecrest Rd, Ottawa

Click the button below to learn more and register!

Meet Lainie Magidsohn—A Beloved DWP Teacher and Creative Force

If you’ve ever joined a Thursday session on Daily Dance Connect, you’ll know Lainie Magidsohn for her fantastically inspired classes—full of creativity, rich visualizations, and joyful movement. With the recent launch of our in-person classes in Peterborough and her upcoming performance in the show What If…, we thought this was the perfect time to shine a spotlight on one of DWP’s truly remarkable teachers.

Lainie has been dancing since she could walk. Her background spans ballet, modern dance, expressive movement, contact improv, jazz, and musical theatre. She’s performed with the international folk-dance troupe Village Folk and is currently a dancer, choreographer, and Co-Artistic Director of Toronto’s vibrant community dance company, PushPULL. Her movement training also includes The Nia Technique and Ageless Grace, and she’s led classes for people of all ages, abilities, and body types—always with the intention of making dance inclusive, empowering, and fun.

Lainie teaches a weekly online class through Daily Dance Connect, offers classes across Toronto, and now leads our newest in-person DWP class in Peterborough. Her passion, creativity, and deep care for the community are part of what makes her so integral to the heart—and DNA—of Dancing with Parkinson’s.

Beyond dance, Lainie is a non-denominational Metaphysical Minister, officiating weddings and life-cycle events. In all areas of her work, she remains deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

You can learn more about Lainie’s inspiring journey from her "Slice of Life".

And if you’d like to see her in action, don’t miss her upcoming performance in "What If…"—a magical new show by PushPULL Dance!

Reconnecting with Anisa Tejpar and Guillaume Côté

You may remember our wonderful friends and supporters, choreographer Guillaume Côté of Côté Dance, and champion of past DWP fundraisers, Anisa Tejpar. They were instrumental in helping make our 15th anniversary event a fantastic success. Guillaume generously gifted the spectacular choreography for guests to dance to Leonard Cohen's "A Thousand Kisses Deep", and the breathtaking performance by dancers from Côté Dance to “Tonight Will Be Fine”.

For a trip down memory lane revisiting the magic that was our 15th Anniversary celebration, click here. And to listen to Anisa and Guillaume's interview about all things dance, and how the choreography to "A Thousand Kisses Deep", a excerpt from one of Guillaume's larger works, "Dance Me to the End of Love", came to be, click here.

We are thrilled to share that this dynamic duo has a stunning new show, "Burn Baby, Burn", coming to Toronto, and friends of DWP have been offered special pricing on their ticket purchase! See below for all the info, where to buy tickets and the discount code.

DWP is Hiring Dance Instructors in Regina and Peterborough!

Our newest in-person classes in Regina and Peterborough have become joyful gathering places where music, movement, and community come together in a truly meaningful and magical way.

As these classes continue to grow, we’re looking for more incredible instructors to join the DWP teaching team. If you are a dance teacher, or you know someone who is, and find joy in connection, believes in the healing power of movement, and wants to share your creativity in a deeply purposeful way, we would love to meet you.

No previous experience teaching dance to people living with Parkinson’s disease? No problem. DWP offers training, mentorship, and support—what matters most is your heart, your curiosity, and your openness to grow.

Interested in learning more? Please send us an email at info@dancingwithparkinsons.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Dance, Brain Health & Parkinson’s

DWP’s good friend and brilliant researcher, Dr. Joe DeSouza, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health at York University, recently shared his latest study: “The Impact of Weekly Community-Based Dance Training Over 8 Months on Depression and Blood Oxygen Level–Dependent Signals in the Subcallosal Cingulate Gyrus for People With Parkinson Disease: Observational Study.”

Dr. DeSouza’s research explores dance as a powerful complementary approach to support brain health and improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease—something we at Dancing with Parkinson’s deeply believe in and witness every day.

We are excited to see this important work expanding the understanding of how movement and community can change lives. Click here to read the full study.