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Dear DWP Community,
Happy New Year from our dance family to yours! We hope your holiday season has been filled with joy, health, and time with loved ones. As we step into 2025, we look forward with excitement and enthusiasm. I cannot wait to continue our journey together as we bring the transformative power of dance to even more people living with Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairment, and seniors across the country and around the world.
Entering our 18th year, I’m filled with deep gratitude as I reflect on how far we’ve come. Together, we’ve created something truly special—reaching more people than we ever thought possible, expanding our impact, and spreading the joy and benefits of dance to those who need it most. This is all thanks to the dedication of our dancers, instructors, volunteers, and supporters, as well as the unwavering generosity of our donors and funders.
None of this would be possible without each and every one of you showing up every day with passion, commitment, and compassion. You are the heartbeat of this community, and you are the “why” behind our vision. Your belief in the power of dance to heal, connect, and inspire is what fuels our mission—and together, we are making a profound difference.
As we look to the year ahead, I am filled with anticipation for all we will accomplish. We have exciting plans to expand our reach, offer more opportunities for connection, and continue empowering those living with Parkinson’s and other challenges through the art of dance. I am confident that, with your continued support, we will make 2025 our most impactful year yet.
Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary movement. Your contributions—whether through time, resources, or enthusiasm—are what make everything we do possible. I look forward to all that we will achieve together this year and beyond.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and fulfilling New Year!
Let's dance,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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Sarah Receives the King Charles III Coronation Medal!
We are beyond thrilled to share that Sarah has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented to her by dear friend and valued partner, Karen Lee from Parkinson Canada, in recognition of the impact Sarah and DWP are having on the lives of people living with Parkinson's and seniors across this country!
Sarah was truly surprised and delighted by this incredible honour. She’s deeply touched and humbled to see DWP's work sharing the joy and benefits of dance acknowledged in such a meaningful way.
Thank you, Karen, and the entire Parkinson Canada team, for recognizing and celebrating DWP's efforts to bring people living with PD and seniors out of isolation, building community and deepening connections through the power of dance.
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Changes to DWP's Online Classes
Based on feedback from dancers, we have combined the Young Onset and Classic online classes with the Standing class which takes place on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
The class is based on the Dance for PD® Method and specifically designed for people living with Parkinson’s disease, however all seniors are welcome to participate! It is intended for people who are able to stand without support, and feel safe moving independently for a 45-minute period, but dancers may also participate in the class seated. We hope you will join us!
Standing Class: Thursdays from 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. via Zoom.
To register for this class, click here.
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A Trip Down Memory Lane
In December, Sarah had such a special visit with longtime friend of DWP, Betty Elliott, who has been dancing with us since our very first class on March 5, 2008. Betty surprised Sarah with a box of incredible memorabilia from the initial email she sent her inquiring about the program, to copies of "Home Practice" and "Instructional Video" DVDs and the program from our first fundraiser in 2009!
Thank you, Betty, for these heartwarming keepsakes, and for being such a phenomenal supporter of this program and member of our dance family over the years. We love you!
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Festive Fridays on the Daily Dance Connect!
Every Friday through the month of December, dancers donned their festive best, joining in seasonal sweaters, hats, and accessories. On one particularly special Friday, Ms Wing Yee's grade 1 class logged in to dance with us, and Santa popped in to visit! It was such a meaningful moment for the kids and dancers alike. Thank you to Kathryn and Loranna for initiating Festive Fridays, and to our entire dance family for getting into the spirit!
Click the image above to watch this sweet moment between the kids and Santa!
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Celebrating the Season at Trinity St. Paul!
It was such a special final Monday class of 2024 when our Trinity St. Paul dance family decided to host a potluck in celebration of connection and community.
We are forever grateful for our friends, volunteers, and the sensational Cassie who has co-led this wonderful group in all of the joys and benefits of dance!
We look forward to coming together again for our first class of 2025 on Monday, January 6th at 12:45 p.m. We'd love to have you join us! Click here to learn more and register.
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Beyond 150: Spirit of Inclusion Concert in Meaford
We were thrilled to see our northern DWP community participate in the Beyond 150: Spirit of Inclusion concert in Meaford. This performance celebrated the talents of persons living with disabilities (PWD) or diverse abilities and took place at the Meaford Opera House.
It was such a highlight to see our incredibly inspiring instructor, Louise Stewart Potts, leading dancers with the very special brand of passion and joy that she brings every single class she offers in Collingwood and surrounding areas. We are so lucky to have you as part of our team, Louise!
Click here to enjoy this beautifully moving show.
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Where We're Dancing!
Through the month of December, we offered demonstration classes at St James Town Community Corner Winter Dance, Parkland on the Glen, and, as seen in the above photo, at the National Council of Jewish Women where Lainie loved leading a class for one of our regular DDC dancers, Resha, and her beautiful community.
In January, we will be sharing the joy and benefits of dance with community groups and at seniors residences and long term care homes including Barrie Housing and the Wellness Innovation Centre in Hamilton. We can't wait!
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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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Leonard Shares the Joy at 310 Dundas
We have been loving the opportunity to dance with the Toronto Seniors Housing communities on the Daily Dance Connect when they log in from their common spaces. Once a month, our DWP teacher, Caroline Niklas-Gordon, teaches an in-person class which has been such a meaningful way to deepen our connection with this wonderful group of dancers.
Leonard Swartz, who helps lead DWP's Regent Park class on Wednesdays, has had a huge impact on the residents of the Dundas Street location. He is always full of energy and spirit, dancing and singing along and embodying the true meaning of community. Thank you Leonard for all you do!
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Sask Today: New Parkinson's Dancing Classes Help Participants Improve Movement
DWP was thrilled to have Sask Today join us at our new in-person class in Regina to speak with one of our incredible teachers, Tessa Rae Kuz, and to experience the magic she, her co-teacher, Heather Cameron, and this beautiful community are creating together.
Click here to read the article.
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Listen to your favourite songs from DWP's classes anytime! Click here to follow DWP on Spotify so you can stay up to date on music as fresh tracks are added!
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Why Does DWP Matter?
Every day, people tell us how our research-backed programs bring joy, friendship and connection to their lives, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Click below to hear what DWP's free, accessible movement classes mean to our dancers.
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To all the staff and instructors, Ray and I want to express our profound thanks for the hard work you do in providing dancing with Parkinson’s. The emotional positivity of the group truly has created a welcoming and warm environment. The exercises are great and the smiles on your faces, in spite of whatever is actually going on, gives comfort and support to individuals who often feel so very alone. So a profound thank you and G-d bless.
~ Bella, Care Partner
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