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Dear DWP Community,
At Dancing with Parkinson’s, we know one truth above all: we are stronger together. Partnerships have always been at the heart of our work, allowing us to learn about you, reach further, dream bigger, and serve more people living with Parkinson’s across Canada.
Lately, for me, this truth feels more alive than ever. From coast to coast, we are honoured to work with groundbreaking partners who share our commitment to improving the lives of seniors and people living with Parkinson’s. The last month has been infused with a palpable energy as I've connected and brainstormed with like-minded innovators near and far to plan for our next season of love, joy and movement.
I am so excited for our instructors to lead warm-up dances at Parkinson Canada’s SuperWalks, we have loved cheering on and hearing from our friends and heroes from the Spinning Wheels relay team, and connecting with new partners and teaching artists from BC in preparation for launching in-person classes in Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley! Each of these meetings, phone calls, events and ideas lead to creating community and is made possible through collaboration and co-creation with our partners.
We are deeply grateful for the organizations, volunteers, dancers and supporters who dance alongside us on this journey of growth and transformation, as we extend our hearts and our reach across Canada.
With gratitude,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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Come Dance with Us at SuperWalks Across Canada!
This Saturday and Sunday, Dancing with Parkinson’s is thrilled to lead the warm-ups at Parkinson Canada’s 2025 SuperWalk in communities across the country! It’s more than a walk — it’s a celebration of community, hope, and determination, bringing people together to raise funds and awareness for over 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease.
At DWP, we know that movement is medicine. Whether it’s walking a trail or dancing in our kitchen, movement boosts physical strength, emotional well-being, and cognitive health, all while fostering joy and connection.
Join us to SuperDance before you SuperWalk at the following locations:
- Saturday, September 6th: Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Peterborough, Winnipeg and Regina
- Sunday, September 7th: Coburg and Vaughan
For location details, please visit Parkinson Canada’s SuperWalk website.
For a sneak peek of the warm up dance that's gonna get you walking, click the button below! Let’s dance our way to the start line together!
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Cheering on Spinning Wheels to the Finish!
Our inspiring friends from the Spinning Wheels relay team have cycled thousands of kilometres across Canada, raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease in communities all along the way. With every stop, they’ve met people living with PD, shared stories, and reminded us of the power of movement and connection. We have loved welcoming them on the Daily Dance Connect to hear how their journey is going.
Now, as they near the final leg of their cross-country ride, we can’t wait to cheer them on, all the way to the finish line!
If you’re nearby, come dance, cheer, or ride alongside them as we celebrate the final push!
Join DWP and Spinning Wheels at the following stops along their route:
- Wednesday, September 10th: Peterborough, Ontario
- Saturday, September 13th: Toronto, Ontario
Join us at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 to dance and celebrate the Spinning Wheels crew as all three relay teams ride into Toronto from Hamilton together for the grand finale party on September 13th!
There’s still time to support Spinning Wheels as they cruise through the remaining provinces. Your contribution will help fund important PD-related programs — including Dancing with Parkinson’s! Click the button below to learn more.
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Bringing the Joy of Dance to the Friends of Regent Park Summer BBQ!
It was such a pleasure joining the Friends of Regent Park (FoRP) for their summer BBQ, where DWP’s wonderful instructor Cassie shared her fabulous brand of joy and energy with visitors from the community. Nothing brings people together like food, music and friends, all of which combined set the perfect backdrop for this wonderful summer celebration! Moments like this remind us why we do what we do: to create opportunities for connection by bringing people together across generations, abilities, and life stages.
A huge thank you to the Friends of Regent Park for hosting such a warm, welcoming event, and to all of our dance friends for making it an event to remember!
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Dancing Together, No Matter the Weather!
It really is true: we dance every day, rain or shine, from wherever we are — nothing stops us!
Click the button below to relive this moment of singing and dancing in the rain!
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Calling BC Dance Artists and Instructors!
DWP is thrilled to bring the Dance for PD® Teacher Training Program to Vancouver this November!
For over 17 years, Dancing with Parkinson’s (DWP) has shared the joy and proven benefits of dance with Parkinson’s communities across Canada. Now, as DWP launches live, in-person classes in BC, we’re inviting teaching artists in BC to help lead the way.
A Dance for PD® teacher is someone who cares deeply, believes that dance can transform lives, and sees every participant as an artist. Our two-day, hands-on training led by David Leventhal (Program Director and founding teacher of Dance for PD®) and Sarah Robichaud (DWP founder & CEO) will be sharing the globally recognized, research-backed method that connects art, science, and community. We are now accepting applications — please spread the word!
Details:
Dates: November 13 - 14th, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: The Dance Centre, Scotiabank Dance Centre, Level 6, 677 Davie Street, Vancouver BC V6B 2G6 Canada
Click the button below to apply!
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Meet DWP's Newest Instructors!
Dancing with Parkinson’s is proud to uphold the highest standards of excellence in delivery of our evidence-backed, rigorous training program, ensuring that every class reflects the gold standard of safe, inclusive, and joyful dance for people living with PD. We are thrilled to introduce Christina and Phoebe to the DWP team!
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Introducing Christina!
Christina Litt Belch is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist working as a dancer, choreographer, composer, teacher, and administrator. She trained at Alberta Ballet School and Dance Arts Institute (formerly The School of Toronto Dance Theatre) and holds an Honours BFA in Dance from York University. Christina has collaborated with Pulga Dance, Kaeja d’Dance, and hART dance, and is the founder of Litt Dance Collective, where she deeply explores music–movement creation with a focus on inclusivity, mind-body wellness, and artistic expression.
She is excited to start teaching with DWP, and will be leading classes in and around the Toronto, including at Parkinson Canada's SuperWalk in Vaughan this weekend!
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Welcome Phoebe!
Phoebe North completed her training with DWP in June 2025 under Sarah and Robin McPhail-Dempsey's guidance. Born and raised in Toronto, she has studied Ballet for over 15 years at institutions in Toronto, Montreal, and New York, cultivating a deep appreciation for both technique and artistic expression. In 2024, Phoebe earned her BA in Sociology from Concordia University and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Education while continuing to teach with DWP.
Passionate about movement, community, and lifelong learning, Phoebe is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to participants, helping them experience the joy and transformative power of dance. Phoebe will be leading classes in Collingwood the surrounding area!
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“Exploring Art-Based Interventions for Parkinson’s”: a Webinar with Dr. Lorraine Kalia
On Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, we are excited to hear from DWP Board Member, friend, and advocate, Dr. Lorraine Kalia, on the upcoming “Live Well Today” webinar “Exploring Art-Based Interventions for Parkinson’s”, presented by the Davis Phinney Foundation for PD.
Dr. Kalia will speak about how creative practices like dance, music, drama, visual arts, and writing can support movement, communication, emotional health, and overall quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.
Informed by her extensive research, Dr. Kalia will share insights and practical advice, along with a vision for how these therapies could one day be part of routine care.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, be inspired, and celebrate the transformative power of the arts. Click the button below to register!
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In-Person Classes are Back!
There are so many opportunities to dance together this fall! In addition to our free, online Daily Dance Connect (which is available seven days a week at 11:00 a.m. ET), there are lots of other online and in-person classes available across Canada!
Check out our website for more information about where you can find us, and while you're there, register for a class near you!
We are also very excited to be launching new in-person class in British Columbia this Fall! Are you in the Okanagan Valley area? Come dance with us! Send us an email and we'll be sure to be in touch with information as details are confirmed!
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Our "Wonder"ful Thornhill Dance Family!
We loved coming together to celebrate our volunteers and community in Thornhill! DWP's in-person dance class serving northeast Toronto is home to a truly beautiful crew of dancers. It is a place where joy, movement, and connection come alive each week.
If you are in the Thornhill area, come dance with us! We can't wait to move together right through the fall!
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Step into Something Beautiful... Volunteer with DWP!
We are so grateful to everyone who makes this class so special, especially our incredible volunteers, without whom these classes simply could not run. They are such an important part of our dance family, and their generosity and spirit make all the difference.
If you have an hour a week and a big heart, come be part of something joyful, meaningful, and movement-filled at Dancing with Parkinson’s.
We are currently seeking Dance Class Assistants for our in-person classes, and we would love to welcome you to the DWP family.
As a Dance Class Assistant, you will play an important role in helping people living with Parkinson’s and seniors experience the freedom, connection, and delight of dance in a safe and supportive environment. Whether it’s offering a steady hand, helping with setup, or simply sharing a warm smile, you’ll be making a real impact — no dance experience needed!
There are lots of ways to get involved at DWP, and we would love to welcome you in any capacity that might work for you! To learn more about becoming a Dance Class Assistant, or about the various ways you can give back to the DWP community, click the button below!
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DWP Spotlight on Dr. Priti Gros
At Dancing with Parkinson’s, we are fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable people whose passion and dedication make a real difference. One of those people is Dr. Priti Gros, MD, FRCPC, a neurologist, researcher, and valued DWP Board Member on our Research Committee.
Priti bridges patient care, research, and data science with the goal of improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease. She is completing a fellowship in movement disorders at Toronto Western Hospital while also pursuing a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Toronto. Her work focuses on making studies more impactful and representative by harnessing large, population-wide datasets to improve design and outcomes. She also contributes to projects exploring promising prevention strategies, such as the potential of certain prostate medications to reduce Parkinson’s risk, as well as the role of arts-based interventions in easing PD symptoms.
Her journey into Parkinson’s research began somewhat by accident, but quickly became a calling. Guided by inspiring mentors, she discovered both the complexity of the disease and the need for innovation and compassion in its treatment. One particularly meaningful connection came through fellow DWP Board Member, Dr. Lorraine Kalia, a leading neurologist, clinician-scientist and former professional ballet dancer, whose research on dance and Parkinson’s first introduced Priti to the idea of art as medicine. That spark led her to DWP, where she met Sarah Robichaud and found a mission that deeply aligned with her own values.
For Priti, DWP is more than a program — it is a source of inspiration. “I am mostly inspired by DWP’s capacity to elevate everyone it touches,” she says. “Not only the people living with Parkinson’s and other seniors, but also its volunteers, staff, and board members. My work feels more meaningful because I get to interact with such a passionate team and see the incredible impact of what they do.”
According to Priti, DWP’s programs are vital because they embody a holistic approach to care. She sees the importance and potential of combining artistry and physical activity, supporting mobility, mood, and cognitive health while also building connection and easing loneliness. As she says, “Dance brings people together in such a powerful and multifaceted way.”
We are honoured to have Dr. Gros as part of the DWP family, and we are grateful for the expertise, care, and inspiration that she brings to both her research and our community.
Thank you, Priti, for all that you do.
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Mime Over Mind: Creative Movement for Parkinson’s
On September 30th, Dancing with Parkinson’s is excited to offer a professional development workshop for instructors featuring Mime Over Mind, developed by artist and advocate Barbara Salzberg Mathews. Drawing from her background in mime and her personal experience with Parkinson’s, Barbara created this program to help people living with PD improve posture, balance, and movement through imaginative, accessible exercises.
Thanks to funding from the PC Care Fund, Barbara will be sharing the wonders of mime with our teaching team in a workshop led by both Barbara and DWP’s very own Sarah Martens. Instructors will gain tools to integrate mime-based techniques into their classes, helping participants move with greater confidence, mindfulness, and joy. At DWP, we are thrilled to offer these creative strategies and continue supporting people living with Parkinson’s through innovative, movement-based approaches.
We can't wait to share what they learn with you!
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Creating Connections with Dancers Across Canada!
In addition to our over 43 regular in-person classes, we love sharing the joy of movement with new communities through demonstration classes, giving new groups a taste of the DWP magic.
Through the month of August, we had a wonderful time connecting with dancers s at Extendi Care - Coburg, the Owen Sound PD Support Group (as shown here with DWP's amazing instructor Louise!), Regina Parkinson’s and The Roxborough! It brings us so much joy to connect with all of you, and to share the joy and benefits of dance.
Heading into September, in addition to the celebration events in Peterborough and Mississauga with Spinning Wheels, we look forward to meeting new friends at Richmond Hill / Markham PD Support Group and Meaford Community Day.
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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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Through Your Gift of Movement, We Find Connection
To all of the donors and supporters of Dancing with Parkinson’s over the years, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank you. Truly, without you, we couldn’t do what we do. Your generosity makes it possible for us to reach people living with Parkinson’s disease and seniors across Canada and around the world, online, in person, and in congregate care settings, every single day of the year, entirely free of charge. Because of you, thousands of individuals who often feel isolated or alone are finding joy, connection, and movement through dance. You are helping to provide so much more than a class — you are helping build a community rooted in care and compassion. You are an essential part of this work, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
If you’d like to get involved in showing your support, we would love to have you with us. Together, we can reach even more people and make an even more profound impact.
Every bit counts. To learn more or to contribute, click the button below.
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"Dancing with DWP feels like a long exhale..."
~ DWP Dancer
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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 above to hear what DWP's free, accessible movement classes mean to our dancers.
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