Dance for Parkinson's
Free Movement Classes for People Affected by Parkinson's Disease
First, third, and fifth Wednesday each month, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm. Offered in association with the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD Program, Cal Performances and PD Active.
Dance for PD is a collaboration between the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group, a chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation. The Dance for PD teaching method is built on one fundamental premise: professionally-trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge is useful to persons with PD. Dancers know all about stretching and strengthening muscles, and about balance and rhythm. Most importantly, dancers know how to use their thoughts, imagination, eyes, ears and touch to control their movements. While dancing, whether in chairs, at a barre, or standing, everyone in the class explores comfortable dance movements in an enjoyable, non-pressured, social environment in which live music energizes, enriches and empowers.
These classes are appropriate for anyone with PD, no matter how advanced. No dance experience is required. The classes combine elements of modern dance, ballet, tap, social dancing, and Mark Morris company repertoire to create an enjoyable, stimulating, artistic experience for people with PD. The method has been presented at the International Congress for Parkinson’s™ in Berlin (2005) and the World Parkinson Congress in Washington, D.C. (2006). Articles about the class have appeared in Neurology Now, among other publications. All classes include live musical accompaniment.
BBT's Dance for Parkinson's Disease Program is supported by the UC Berkeley Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund.
About the instructors:
MEGAN LOW danced professionally at San Francisco Ballet where she danced the title role in Mark Morris' full-length "Sylvia," among many others. She earned her B.A. at St. Mary's College and her Master's in Education at UC Berkeley. She is a Core Faculty member and Coordinator for SMC's LEAP Program.
KATE MITCHELL, B..A. Yale University, M..A. UCLA, danced professionally with New York's CoDanceCo. She is the director of Kate Mitchell and Dancers, and also designs stage and interior spaces.
SUSAN WEBER danced professionally with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company in New York, is currently Mark Morris' assistant on projects at San Francisco Ballet, and Associate Artistic Director at Berkeley Ballet Theater. She graduated with honors and earned her M.A. at UCLA.
PD Active is a group of people with Parkinson’s disease who aim to improve quality of life for themselves and others affected by PD. They welcome your interest and support: info@pdactive.org