Dance for PD workshop to be held this weekend at UF

May 28, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine and the School of Theatre and Dance in partnership with the Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson Group will present Dance for PD, a three-day training and professional development workshop for dancers, dance teachers, students, therapists and allied health professionals May 30-June 1 in the Nadine M. McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion.

A free movement class for persons with Parkinson’s disease and their families, friends and care partners will be held from 2 to 3:15 p.m. May 31. The class will be led by David Leventhal, founding teacher and program director for the Dance for PD program, with live musical accompaniment and will be followed by a community discussion. Parking is free, and all are welcome to attend. Advanced registration is not required to attend.

“We are thrilled to have the Mark Morris Dance Group with us again for the Dance for PDTeacher Training,” said Jill Sonke, director of UF’s Center for Arts in Medicine. “David Leventhal is a masterful teacher and is leading what is now a worldwide movement to bring dance into the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease.”

UF last hosted a Dance for PDtraining and professional development workshop in June 2012. This year’s program offers opportunities for both new trainees and returning teachers to hone their skills, network with other teachers and immerse themselves in the acclaimed approach.

Through specially designed training modules, attendees will cover a range of topics including safety and good exercise design and will learn about the program’s philosophy and teaching approaches from the program’s founders. Participants will observe a demo class, talk with members of the local Parkinson’s community and connect with other teachers interested in this work. Additionally, staff and teachers from UF’s Dance for Life program will provide an added level of experience and knowledge during a Dance Teacher session.

To learn more about the training workshop, including tuition prices and the application process, visit http://mad.ly/dc7f74.