“This workshop was all the things one could ask for… Well organized, thoughtful in its content, well balanced in presentation, practice and break and network time. I left feeling informed, educated and inspired.—J.B., 2011 workshop participant, Philadelphia

This was one of the best trainings I ever had. I can’t believe that my work as a nurse has given me an opportunity like going to Brooklyn and meeting professional dancers in the MMDG! Thank you all for giving your time (a 3 day weekend no less!), energy, and gifts of dance, music, and empathy!—Lynn K., RN, 2010 workshop participant

I learned more than I could have ever imagined and I love to dance more than I ever imagined. I have already utilized some of your ideas into my treatment approaches with my patients and they have worked GREAT!—L.D., DPT, 2011 participant”

About Dance for PD® Workshops

Our acclaimed training program offers something for everyone interested in the intersection of dance and Parkinson’s disease. Because people from a wide range of interests and backgrounds regularly approach us for information and resources, we’ve designed our training and enrichment programs—introductory workshops, professional development sessions, online continuing education and teacher certification—to address a variety of personal and professional objectives.

Introductory workshops

Since 2007, more than 300 people from 30 states and six countries have participated in Dance for PD introductory workshops, which have been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine and Dance Studio Life. We have regularly-scheduled trainings in Brooklyn, and have offered workshops in Berkeley, Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland (OR), Seattle, Indianapolis, Gainesville (FL), Minneapolis, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Denver, Erie, and London, among other cities. We continue to evaluate demand in various cities and schedule trainings accordingly.

Our workshops are designed to enrich, inform and inspire a diverse group of individuals who want to introduce people with Parkinson’s to the joys and benefits of a customized dance experience. During Dance for PD workshops, our specially-designed training modules, guest lecturers, demo classes and interactive sessions provide a wealth of information to attendees of all kinds.

Our introductory workshops offer two customized training courses, both of which are facilitated by Dance for PD program founding teachers. Each course offers a spectrum of practical information and approaches; each course is supplemented by post-workshop continuing education opportunities through advanced professional development workshops and our online membership program (launching Summer 2011).

► Our Dance Teacher (DT) course helps trained dancers and dance instructors adapt their expertise to work effectively and comfortably with the Parkinson’s population under the guidelines and methodology of the Dance for PD program. For more information about the Dance Teacher course, including recommended prerequisites, application information, post-workshop continuing education and teacher certification, please click here.

► Our Educational & Professional Enrichment (EPE) course, open to all, is designed for people without a dance teaching background who are interested in a comprehensive overview of Dance for PD approaches and Best Practices. This course is ideal for somatic and yoga practitioners, administrators and medical professionals, caregivers and people with Parkinson’s. To learn more about our EPE course, to see if you might benefit from attending, or to preregister, please click here.

During our workshops, some sessions include attendees from both courses participating together in one large group, while smaller breakout sessions target issues and concerns that are specific to EPE or DT attendees. Enrichment attendees cover most of the same modules as the Dance Teachers, but are not required to develop, design and practice-teach original exercises as part of the workshop.

To see a sample workshop schedule, please click here.

Continuing Education and Professional Development Workshops

We provide additional continuing education and professional development for both EPE and DT participants through our structured membership and advanced workshop programs. For more information about our membership programs, please click here. For more information about upcoming professional development workshops, please click here.

Workshops on demand

Are you an organization interested in launching a Dance for PD program? Do you have a team of teachers that you’d like to participate in training and starting Dance for PD classes? We offer on-site trainings for arts organizations, YMCAs, and Parkinson’s organizations interested in starting Dance for PD programs. We’ve conducted on-site trainings for such organizations as Connecticut Parkinson’s Working Group, Seattle Theatre Group, Dance Umbrella (UK) and Ormond Beach YMCA, among others. Please contact us to discuss a training for teachers and staff in your organization.

Workshop cost

Workshops cost between $135-$200 per person, depending on location and course. Tuition assistance is available to qualified candidates on a need- and merit-based basis. For more information about the Stanley J. Wertheimer Fellowship program, please click here. For information about other financial aid, please call us at 646-450-3373.

Using the Dance for PD® name

Dance for PD® is a Registered Trademark. The Dance for PD® name is reserved for those classes taught by certified teachers, or for those programs that are officially licensed by us. Dance for PD does provide logistical and planning support to participants in both courses.