Dear DWP Community,
Happy 2024! As we turn the calendar to this new year, I have been reflecting on all that we accomplished and built together in 2023, and the potential and possibility that lies ahead. I couldn't be more excited, optimistic and energized by everything we have to look forward to and will experience together in 2024.
Over the holidays we stayed connected for the Daily Dance Connect on days that most other programs close their doors. For some, the holidays can feel lonely and isolating, and so it means so much for us to dance with each of you as a reminder that we can connect with our dance family every single day. It is an honour and a privilege to feel so welcome into your homes, your lives, your challenges and your celebrations. It is a true gift to witness our dancers sharing stories, supporting each other and making new friends.
Looking forward, as the days continue to get longer, warmer and brighter, we are committed to nurturing opportunities for growth and connection. We are thrilled to kick off this new year with our upcoming collaboration with the Mark Morris Dance Group, “The Look of Love”! This powerful workshop truly exemplifies and encapsulates everything DWP stands for: connection, community, care and, of course, LOVE. Read on for more information about this very special event, and how you can get involved in our fundraising efforts to keep our dance program free of charge for dancers across Canada and around the world.
We can’t think of a better way to begin, to celebrate how far we have come, and where we are going, together. 2024, we are ready for you!
My best,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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This year, Dancing with Parkinson's celebrates 16 years of bringing people living with Parkinson’s disease and seniors out of isolation and into community through the unifying power of dance.
In just a few weeks DWP dancers will gather for a very special workshop on the Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of “The Look of Love”, presented by TO Live. This event being held on January 19th is the culmination of our fundraising efforts, and a celebration of the universal language of movement, the connections formed through dance, and the boundless potential of the human spirit.
Over the past few weeks we have been sharing “The Look of...DWP”: personal reflections and narratives from our dancers that demonstrate what makes the DWP family so unique. Their stories say it all... Below you will read about Kanta's incredible legacy, and what dancing with DWP means to her.
It is through the support of our donors that we are able to offer this transformative program for free, 365 days a year. Please consider contributing to our efforts by clicking the link below, creating a fundraising page or making a donation. Everyone who does so will be invited to join DWP's special workshop on January 19th, and receive a discount to the evening performance of the Mark Morris Dance Group's production, "The Look of Love". Are you a DWP dancer and interested in joining us at Meridian Hall on January 19th? Please email register@dancingwithparkinsons.com to RSVP.
Thank you for helping us increase access to the joy and benefits of dance for those who need it most. We couldn't do this without you!
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A distinguished research professor and professor emeritus of economics, Dr. Kanta Marwhah has made a tremendous impact throughout her life. Originally from India, Kanta completed Bachelor and Masters of Arts degrees, graduating First Class from the Panjab University in India. From there, she was offered a scholarship from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school in Philadelphia. She traveled from India to New York on a 22-day boat trip and began a new life studying and teaching economics. Kanta earned her PhD in Econometric Models in 1964 with straight As. She was the first female Ph.D. to graduate under the guidance of her esteemed Professor, and one of the first female PhDs in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1967, Carleton University in Ottawa invited Kanta to join its faculty in the department of economics making her its first female professor. In 2017, two years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Kanta celebrated 50 years at Carleton.
In addition to her numerous academic accomplishments, Kanta has been a long time arts enthusiast and supporter. She discovered Dancing with Parkinson’s through Parkinson Canada, and, like all of the other arts organizations and charities she has gotten involved with, she is a loyal participant and joins DWP’s Daily Dance Connect every day to enjoy the music and experience the benefits of movement. “DWP helps my mind and my body, and gives me some relief. Music is so important — it offers me peace and tranquility.” Kanta says.
In addition to music and the visual arts, Kanta feels a similar connection to dancing. “No matter what form the arts take, they appeal to our aesthetic senses,” she shared in a feature article by Ottawa's National Arts Centre. “They are a source of joy. They take us out of our personal selves to a much higher plateau where you can experience a series of emotions."
In the fall of 2023, Sarah and the DWP team had the great privilege of meeting and dancing with Kanta at her home in Ottawa. She took us to her favourite restaurant overlooking the Rideau Canal and shared fascinating stories, special memories and personal reflections from various aspects of her full and beautiful life.
Kanta, you are a wonder. Thank you for reminding us of the power of the arts as a gateway to discovering and experiencing our limitless potential.
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Introducing… The Dancing with Parkinson’s Bell Choir!
On a Thursday in December on the Daily Dance Connect, Lainie led a stunning seasonal bell-themed class. At the end of our 30mins together, she invited dancers to voice their own bell tones, and in doing so, to feel the vibration of sound in their throats and bodies. What ensued was a beautifully spontaneous “bell choir”! Click here to listen...
Thank you, dancers, for “chiming” in!
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Celebrating the festive season, all month long!
There were so many special "moments of magic" throughout the month of December, from the gorgeous rendition of "You Are a Shining Light", to Sarah dancing with Ms Wing Yee's grade 1s and 2s every week. Our "holiday dress up" class on the Daily Dance Connect and Paloma's adorable outfit showing off her growing baby bump! We just know that it's going to be a wonderful year, thanks to all of the magic you pour into our lives every day.
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DWP is on Prince Edward Island!
On Thursday, January 4th, Julia and the team from the PEI Parkinson Association welcomed our friends and fellow dancers for the first weekly in-person DWP class in Charlottetown, and it was a fantastic success!
Day: Thursdays
Time: 1:00 - 2:00pm AST
Location: Central Christian Church, 23 Kent Street, Charlottetown
Come dance with us! This class is open to people people living with Parkinson's, their family, care partners and all seniors. Click here to learn more and to register.
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DWP is in Ottawa!
Are you in the Ottawa area? Our new local in-person class is underway, and our incredible instructors can't wait to dance with you!
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Location: Amberwood Village Golf Club, 54 Springbrook Drive, Stittsville, ON
This class is open to people people living with Parkinson's, their family, care partners and all seniors. We hope you will join us! For more information and to register click here.
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DWP is in Meaford!
Did you know that DWP offers classes for people living with Parkinson's in the Collingwood area? We recently launched a new class in Meaford with the Parkinson's Society Southwestern Ontario led by our incredible instructor, Louise.
Interested in learning more about the Meaford class? Visit the Parkinson's Society Southwestern Ontario website to get involved in this support group.
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It was an exciting month of December dancing with new friends in Toronto, Scarborough, South Georgian Bay and Owen Sound. In January, DWP teachers will be leading demo classes and webinars for Forest Hill Place, Providence Healthcare and the Toronto Downtown PD Support Group.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share DWP's work and to engage new participants in the joy and benefits of dance.
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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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Singing with Parkinson's Workshop
We kicked of the season with a lively sing-along with Paula from Singing with Parkinson's! Paula led the DWP community through some holiday classics and dancers had the opportunity to enjoy the variety of benefits of song. In addition to being a powerful form of self-expression and a lovely way to connect as a community, for people living with Parkinson's singing may increase vocal strength, breathing and swallowing control.
Thank you for joining us Paula!
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On December 13th, DWP's Founder and CEO, Sarah Robichaud, was honoured to be invited to speak at the International Behavioural Neurology Videoconference Rounds. Sarah presented on the importance of dance to enhance cognition, improve motor skills, stabilize emotions and mood, and how essential it is in managing neurodegenerative disorders.
Thank you to fellow speakers for the engaging dialogue, and to the Division of Neurology at the University of Toronto for the opportunity to share DWP’s transformative work.
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We love dancing with you "live" at the Daily Dance Connect class every day at 11:00am, but we know that sometimes schedules or energy levels don't align. Don't you worry: we've got you covered so that you can join whenever it suits you!
Check out Dancing with Parkinson's YouTube channel for access to recorded classes that you can enjoy at any time.
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“2023 was a great year — it was the year I found DWP!”
~ DWP Dancer
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OUR DANCE AND ARTISTIC PROGRAMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONORS.
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING DWP'S MISSION TO SHARE THE JOY AND BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT, CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S AND SENIORS ACROSS CANADA.
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