“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 and Seminars

Our acclaimed training and enrichment programs offer 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, one-day seminars, 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 are designed primarily for Dance Teachers who meet our requirements, but we warmly invite therapists, yoga, fitness and Pilates teachers, group coordinators, Parkinson’s community leaders, carepartners, allied health professionals and others to attend as Active Auditors through our Educational and Professional Enrichment program. All of our workshops are facilitated by Dance for PD program founding teachers, and Dance Teachers and Enrichment attendees alike receive a comprehensive spectrum of practical information and approaches supplemented by post-workshop continuing education opportunities through advanced professional development workshops and our online membership program.

► Our Dance Teacher (DT) training program 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. Click below to learn more about the Dance Teacher course, including recommended prerequisites, application information, post-workshop continuing education and teacher certification.

► Our Educational & Professional Enrichment (EPE) program, open to all, is designed for people without a dance teaching background who want a comprehensive overview of Dance for PD approaches and Best Practices for their own enrichment rather than because they’d like to lead a dance class. Our Active Auditor path is ideal for somatic and yoga practitioners, administrators and medical professionals, caregivers and people with Parkinson’s. It allows attendees to be part of a complete dance teacher training workshop without the pressure of choreographing or leading dance sequences, and with the clear understanding that they will not be leading a dance class in their communities unless they are working with an experienced, trained dance teacher from our Dance Teacher course.

During most workshops, training and enrichment participants work together in one large group. Enrichment attendees cover all 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.

Enrichment Seminars

Our one-day Enrichment seminars are designed to provide physical and occupational therapists and students, social workers, and allied health professionals with an inside look into the Dance for PD® program, and to learn about our best practices and methods. Dancers interested in learning more about the program before embarking on a training course are also welcome to attend.

During Dance for PD® seminars, our specially-created modules and interactive sessions will provide a wealth of information to attendees, who will also have the opportunity to participate in an actual Dance for Parkinson’s class with members of the local Parkinson’s community. These seminars focus on day-long informational immersion rather than training. 

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.

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.