Melanie Brierley, PhD is a UK practitioner in Dance and Parkinson’s (Cumbria group) and a founder member of Dance for Parkinson’s UK. She is also a researcher in the field, developing an understanding of why and how dance benefits those living with Parkinson’s. Mel is an ISMETA (International somatic movement, education, and therapy association) registered Somatic Movement Educator and university lecturer in somatic dance practice. She has been working in the field of community dance and education for the last 30 years.