About Dance for PD® workshops

All trainees must satisfactorily complete an asynchronous 8-module online training program before attending the live in-person workshop. The cost of this 8-module course is $145 for non-members, $132 for Dance for PD members. It is expected that the self-directed course will take 8-10 hours to complete. You'll receive a link to this course when we approve your training application.

Dance/USA 2025 National Conference

Mark your calendars! Our training workshop is scheduled in tandem with Dance/USA's National Conference June 17-20. Join Dance/USA in Chicago for a gathering designed for connection, growth, and celebration. The 2025 conference brings together a wide range of voices from across the dance ecosystem. Here's what to look forward to:

Please note: if you have already submitted a training application, please send an email to admin@danceforpd.org to pre-register for this workshop. You do not need to submit a second application.

The Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD® program invites people with Parkinson's and their families in more than 400 communities and 30 countries around the globe to experience the joys and benefits of dance while creatively addressing symptom-specific concerns related to balance, cognition, motor skill, depression and physical confidence. Through its innovative, internationally-replicated classes, acclaimed teacher training program, and high quality media resources, Dance for PD​'s fundamental working principle since 2001 is that professionally-trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge about balance, sequencing, rhythm and aesthetic awareness is useful to persons with PD. In class, teaching artists integrate movement from modern, ballet, tap, folk and social dancing, and choreographic repertory to engage participants' minds and bodies and create an enjoyable, social environment for artistic exploration.​​ Dance for PD has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, Dance Magazine, The Guardian and hundreds of other publications,​and has been honored by several local, national and international awards, including the Parkinson Awareness Award, Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award, and the Sapolin Public Service Award from the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. Peer-reviewed research from 50 published studies suggests that the Dance for PD approach provides a range of benefits, including improved walking and short-term mobility, enhanced quality of life, and self-efficacy, slowing of symptom progression, and improvements in mood and social inclusion among people with Parkinson's. 

The Joffrey Ballet is one of the most renowned and innovative American ballet companies, celebrated for its diverse repertoire, inclusive approach to dance, and commitment to community engagement. Founded in 1956 by visionary choreographer Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, the Joffrey initially operated as a touring company, bringing high-caliber ballet to audiences across the United States. Since relocating to Chicago in 1995, the company has flourished under the artistic leadership of celebrated choreographers, continually evolving and redefining classical and contemporary ballet.

The Joffrey Ballet is known for its pioneering spirit, blending classical technique with bold, contemporary choreography. The company’s repertoire features works by master choreographers like George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, as well as groundbreaking pieces by contemporary artists such as Christopher Wheeldon and Justin Peck. In addition to reimagining classic ballets like The Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet, the Joffrey commissions original works that explore relevant themes and reflect the diverse perspectives of today’s society.

Beyond the stage, the Joffrey Ballet is deeply committed to community outreach and dance education, including an active Dance for Parkinson's program. Through the Joffrey Academy of Dance and various public programs, the organization provides high-quality training and opportunities for students of all backgrounds, fostering the next generation of dancers and nurturing a lifelong appreciation for ballet. 

Dance/USA is the national service organization dedicated to supporting, advancing, and fostering the vitality of professional dance in the United States. Founded in 1982, Dance/USA serves a diverse membership of dance companies, choreographers, educators, presenters, funders, and administrators, all united by a shared commitment to promoting the field and ensuring that dance continues to thrive and evolve in a dynamic cultural landscape.

Dance/USA provides resources, research, advocacy, and networking opportunities to strengthen the national dance ecosystem. Through initiatives like the Dance/USA Annual Conference, Dance Forum, and various peer groups, the organization connects professionals across disciplines, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and collective growth. Dance/USA also plays an essential role in advocating for policies and funding that benefit the dance community, working closely with government agencies and other arts organizations to secure a sustainable future for dance in America.

Central to Dance/USA’s mission is the commitment to equity, inclusion, and access. The organization has taken a leading role in advancing diversity within the dance field and supporting historically marginalized voices. Initiatives like the Fellowships to Artists Program and the Institute for Leadership Training provide vital resources for artists and administrators from underrepresented communities, fostering a more inclusive and representative dance sector.

By providing a national voice for dance and a comprehensive support network for dance professionals, Dance/USA plays an invaluable role in ensuring that dance remains an essential and accessible art form that inspires, educates, and enriches communities across the country. 

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