News and Notes

Dance for PD's quarterly newsletter | May 2025

A note from the director

It is with a heavy heart that I write to share the passing of Misty Owens, a cherished member of our Dance for PD community and one of our program's founding teachers. Misty passed away May 2 after courageously battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for nearly four years, and while we mourn her loss deeply, we also honor the radiant legacy she leaves behind.

Misty was a dancer, educator, and advocate whose presence lit up every room she entered. She brought joy, artistry, and deep care to every class she taught, inspiring countless people living with Parkinson’s (as well as the thousands of young dancers she inspired) to move with freedom, confidence, and grace. Her commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and lifelong learning shaped not only the lives of her students, but also the growth of Dance for PD across the country—first in Brooklyn, and then in the Dallas area, where she was born and raised.

Misty joined John Heginbotham and me as a co-founding teacher of Dance for PD in 2003, which was a critical juncture for the program. Until that point, John and I were offering classes twice a month at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, on our lunch break from company rehearsals. Our community wanted and needed a weekly class, but since John and I were still touring extensively with Mark Morris' company, our availability was limited. Misty stepped in to became the anchor teacher for the Brooklyn program and allowed it to expand to a weekly program, paving the way for increased engagement, momentum and energy that resulted in significant growth and in our first major press coverage in the New York Times in 2005. 

Misty's extensive background in and love of tap and jazz dance added energy and depth to the Dance for PD curriculum, and her approach lives on in the hundreds of teachers she trained, in the dance styles she championed, and in her special way of leading into one of her high energy tap exercises: "Toes up and down and here we go". She combined New York sophistication with Texan charm, and welcoming her dancers with a big smile and a "hi y'all" at the beginning of each class.

Those of us who had the privilege of working alongside Misty know how fiercely she believed in the power of dance to connect, to heal, and to transform. She brought humor, humility, and humanity into every interaction, and her warmth and wisdom continue to ripple through the communities she touched.

As we move forward, we carry Misty’s spirit with us—in the music we play, the movements we share, and the spaces of belonging we continue to create through dance. 

Many of the initiatives and successes highlighted below would not have been possible without Misty's inspiring work, and in this spirit, we dedicate this issue to her. We’ll be planning a hybrid gathering to remember her together—stay tuned.

With deep sadness and deeper admiration,

David 

Program highlights

Launch grants spur growth on 3 continents

Ten new Dance for PD® pilot programs are underway across five countries, thanks to Dance for PD's new Launch Grant program, supported by the Bowen Fund. Since its inception this year, we've provided seed funding to teaching teams in the U.S., Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Norway, helping bring the transformative power of dance to people living with Parkinson's in underserved communites. Designed to support the early stages of program development, each Launch Grant offers resources to cover teaching artist fees, promotional outreach, and infrastructure, like chairs. The goal is to empower local leaders to establish sustainable, high-quality Dance for PD programs that reflect their communities’ needs and strengths. 

“This program is about opening doors,” said David Leventhal, Program Director. “We’re helping passionate, skilled teaching artists take that first step in creating something meaningful. It’s incredibly exciting to see new programs take root in places that have never had this kind of resource before.” As the international Dance for PD network expands, the Launch Grant program continues to prioritize geographic and cultural diversity, while providing ongoing mentorship and consulting support to grantees.

Neuroarts Investigator Award

Dr. Constantina Theofanopoulou, a neuroscientist, and David Leventhal, founding teacher and Program Director of Dance for PD®, have been selected as 2025 Renée Fleming Neuroarts Investigators and will be collaborating on a project that will use neuroimaging to explore the effects of dance on brain activity in individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. The Neuroarts Investigator program is an initiative of the Renée Fleming Foundation and the NeuroArts Blueprint—a collaboration between the Aspen Institute and Johns Hopkins University—designed to advance research at the intersection of the arts and neuroscience. The initiative supports innovative partnerships between artists and scientists exploring how the arts can contribute to health and well-being.

"This award is a meaningful affirmation of the power of collaboration between artists and scientists," said Leventhal. "Enormous thanks to the Renée Fleming Foundation and the Neuroarts Blueprint team for championing interdisciplinary work in the emerging field of neuroarts."

Meet our new certified teachers

Dance for PD's Certification program invites teachers who have trained in our method and have at least 50 hours of experience teaching people living with Parkinson's to engage in a peer-reviewed qualification process that recognizes advanced skills and knowledge and serves as a capstone in their training process. We're pleased to send warmest congratulations to two newly certified teachers who recently completed their certification process: Manizia Kajiwara (Fukuoka, Japan, left above) and Julie Lea (Parry Sound, Canada, right above).

Training Program Receives Accreditation

The Parkinson's Foundation (US) has recognized Dance for PD's comprehensive teacher training course as an Accredited Exercise Education Program, the first dance-based program to be validated in this way. 

The Parkinson’s Foundation Exercise Education Accreditation Recognition Program distinguishes Parkinson’s-specific exercise education programs and courses that align and adhere to the Parkinson’s Foundation Criteria for Exercise Education Programs and Courses and Competency Framework for Exercise Professionals. As a Parkinson’s Foundation Accredited Exercise Education Provider, our curriculum aligns with the competency framework that ensures the professionals who complete our training have the knowledge, skill, and ability to train people with Parkinson’s optimally.

“We are absolutely honored that Dance for PD has been recognized," said David Leventhal. "While our approach is rooted in the arts and creativity, we know that many people living with Parkinson’s turn to our classes not only for expression and connection—but for great exercise. This recognition affirms the rigor and impact of our established, global training program and highlights the vital role dance can play in supporting the physical, emotional, and cognitive health of the Parkinson’s community. We’re grateful for this accreditation and proud to stand alongside other high-quality programs dedicated to improving lives through movement.”

“To be considered a Parkinson’s Foundation Accredited Exercise Education Provider is no easy task," said Lisa Hoffman, MA, director of professional education of the Parkinson’s Foundation. "This is a select group of programs and CE courses that have shown evidence of designing their curriculum to align with our competency framework for exercise professionals. We are grateful for Dance for PD for ensuring its curriculum encompasses the knowledge and skills necessary to optimally teach and train those living with PD.”

Looking back on a successful year

Dance for PD is a program of the Mark Morris Dance Group, which has released its 2024 Impact Report highlighting last year’s organizational activities and achievements.

"After 43 years, I remain deeply optimistic about the future we’re building together," writes artistic director Mark Morris. "Your dedication drives everything we do and ensures this work endures. This report is a testament to what we’ve accomplished—and my thanks are for you."

What's ahead

Around the network

Royal honor

We’re proud to celebrate Sarah Robichaud—founder and CEO of Dancing with Parkinson’s Canada and Dance for PD Certified Teacher—who has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. The medal was presented by Parkinson Canada’s Karen Lee in recognition of Sarah’s transformative work bringing joy, movement, and connection to people living with Parkinson’s and seniors across Canada.

“I’m deeply touched and humbled,” said Robichaud. “To see the work of Dancing with Parkinson’s acknowledged in this way is incredibly meaningful.”

Suzanne Ostersmith: Champion for Dance

As she retires after 25 years at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, Suzanne Ostersmith leaves a profound legacy—not just as the founding chair of GU Dance, but as a passionate ambassador for Dance for PD. Suzanne wove Dance for Parkinson’s into Gonzaga’s curriculum, led classes for people living with the Parkinson's, and hosted training workshops for Gonzaga students and teaching artists across Eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest.

Under her leadership, Gonzaga Dance grew from a single elective into a thriving major. She pioneered community engagement programs like ZagDance, launched interdisciplinary projects linking dance with science, and brought national artists to campus. Her vision helped shape the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center and positioned Gonzaga as a center for socially engaged dance education. We congratulate Suzanne on her transformative tenure and wish her all the best in her next chapter!

TMU Student Film Explores Dance for Parkinson’s

A group of students from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Sports Media program—Aimee Dalla Rosa (Producer), Blake Talabis (Director), Grace McAllister (Writer), and Julian Bettencourt (Editor)—have created Dancing through Life, a moving new short film that explores the impact of dance on people living with Parkinson’s. Both Dalla Rosa and Talabis, who have backgrounds in dance, were inspired to make the film as a way to reconnect with the art form and share its transformative power.

The film was screened on World Parkinson’s Day for Dancing with Parkinson's Canada's online class community, where it resonated deeply with dancers. “This should be playing in every doctor’s office waiting room,” one participant remarked. 

“We are thrilled to hear that people are enjoying our documentary,” said Dalla Rosa. “Making this film was the experience of a lifetime, and we’re so grateful to have been entrusted with telling these powerful stories.”

35 years of serving the community

Ormao Dance Company, a nonprofit dance organization serving the Colorado Springs community for more than 35 years, was recently featured on FOX21 to discuss its Dance for Parkinson’s program. The segment aired as part of the station’s community spotlight series.

Development Coordinator Michelle Hoody White and Assistant Artistic Director Laura Hymers Treglia joined host Justin Antweil to share how the program uses movement to support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Dance for Parkinson’s is one of three community engagement programs offered by Ormao, which prides itself on providing non-competitive, inclusive dance education for students of all ages.

Research and resources

Dance Classes May Ease Depression in Parkinson’s

A new study from York University in Toronto shows that weekly community-based dance classes based on the Dance for PD method may significantly ease symptoms of depression in people living with Parkinson’s disease—and even lead to changes in the brain associated with improved emotional regulation.

The study, led by neuroscientist Dr. Joseph DeSouza and published in JMIRx Med, followed 23 people with Parkinson’s and 11 healthy participants over an eight-month dance program. The researchers observed positive changes in a brain region linked to mood—evidence that dance may support better mental health for those navigating Parkinson’s.

“We’re not trying to cure Parkinson’s with dance,” said DeSouza. “What we’re trying to do is have people live a better quality of life. This goes for both those with the disease and their families that take care of them.”

The research builds on a growing body of evidence linking dance to improved motor and nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s, including social and emotional well-being. Classes were offered in partnership with Canada's National Ballet School (NBS), a longtime Dance for PD partner.

UK Report: Monetizing Arts’ Health Benefits

In this National Endowment for the Arts’ research podcast, host Jo Reed and NEA Director of Research Sunil Iyengar explore a groundbreaking UK report that quantifies the health and economic benefits of arts engagement. Titled Culture and Heritage Capital: Monetizing the Impact of Culture and Heritage on Health and Wellbeing, the report synthesizes findings from over 160 studies, revealing that arts activities—from museum visits to dance and music—are not only linked to improved mental and physical health but also to billions in potential cost savings and societal benefits.

With estimates ranging from $90 per person annually for children’s self-esteem gains through music to $1,700 for older adults engaging in museum-based art activities, the findings underscore the powerful return on investment in cultural participation. Creative arts therapies, including visual art for cancer patients, also showed significant economic promise. The discussion highlights the importance of integrating the arts into health systems—and mirrors growing interest in the U.S.

This global research momentum affirms the work of Dance for PD and its partners in health and cultural sectors, pointing to a future where dance and other creative practices are essential to community wellbeing—and good policy.

Capturing the Lived Experience of Parkinson’s

A powerful new eBook, What Parkinson’s Feels Like, offers an unflinching, deeply human window into life with the world’s fastest-growing neurological condition. Created by Canadian artist and advocate Barbara Salsberg Mathews in partnership with Parkinson’s Europe, the illustrated collection draws on vivid, crowdsourced descriptions from people with Parkinson’s around the globe. Diagnosed in 2020, Salsberg Mathews turned to art to interpret and express the lived experience of Parkinson’s beyond the familiar list of clinical symptoms. 

“We are much more than our symptoms,” she says. “This ebook is an example of community collaboration and inclusion—of helping people with Parkinson’s feel seen as individuals.”

What Parkinson’s Feels Like is available for free online and serves as a moving tool for advocacy, education, and connection. 

Turning Tremor into Music

Tremors vs Tremors, a powerful project launched during last year's Brain Awareness Week, transforms the tremors of five people with Parkinson’s into deeply personal songs. Led by Dr. Chris Lambert at University College London in collaboration with Innocean Berlin and DaHouse, the project blends neuroscience, storytelling, and music to reflect each participant’s lived experience of the disease.
 

Participants recorded their tremors and collaborated on lyrics and musical styles based on their personal stories and musical tastes. “This is me, this is my tempo, this is my tremor,” said Clare after hearing her track, Starlight Keeper. Another participant, Kuhan, added, “There is nothing more emotional than music that is based on me.”

The full album and an accompanying documentary are now available online.

CBS News Highlights the Healing Power of the Arts

On a recent CBS News segment, chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook explored how the arts can boost public health and well-being. The report shared compelling evidence that arts engagement not only aids in healing from illness but also helps protect against cognitive decline, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

Dr. LaPook spoke with Broadway director Lear deBessonet, founder of Arts For EveryBody, a growing national public health movement aimed at connecting more people to the arts as a means to build healthier, more resilient communities as well as leading Arts in Health expert and researcher Jill Sonke, Director of Research Initiatives at the University of Florida's Center for Arts in Medicine

Discounts for Dance for PD constituents

Affiliate partnerships help our community members stay active, mobile, and independent—all while supporting Dance for PD programming.

Urban Poling Activator Poles | 10% Off
Designed to improve posture, balance, and natural walking patterns, Activator® Poles are perfect for individuals with Parkinson’s. Enjoy a 10% discount, and Urban Poling will donate 10% of sales to support Dance for PD. Learn more and purchase.

SitnStand Everywhere Lift Chair | $50 Off
This innovative chair promotes independence and enhances mobility for people with Parkinson’s, easing the journey for care partners too. Get $50 off and know that 10% of your purchase supports Dance for PD. Learn more and purchase.

For members

New resource for Professional members

People Dancing, our partner in the UK, People Dancing is offering a special discounted rate on its Online Courses and Professional Qualifications exclusively for Dance for PD® members. With eight self-paced courses and six qualifications to choose from, there's something for every dance practitioner—whether you work with young children, older adults, or people living with Parkinson’s.

Courses are developed by expert artists, including David Leventhal (Dance for PD®), Diane Amans (Dance with Older People), and others, and cover topics such as risk assessment, teaching skills, and income development.

To access the discount, log into your Dance for PD member account, select the CPD through People Dancing button in your dashboard, and then select the Organisational Partners Price when purchasing. Access codes will be sent within 7–10 working days. Additional group discounts are available for organizations with 6+ learners.

Digital library

Dance for PD Members receive access to 400+ full class recordings in our Digital Class library. Organized by genre, the library features a variety of teachers leading Dance for PD, Dance for PD PRO, Sing and PD Movement Lab classes. The resource also features a Tap for PD series, meditation sessions, as well as Pilates and Yoga classes and a Featured Class of the Week. Not a member? Click here to join today.

Toolkit

Looking for the latest report about the intersection of arts and health? Access to our photo pool? A handbook for class volunteers? Quotes about Dance for PD from medical professionals? Suggested language for a class waiver? It's all in our Member Toolkit, which we update regularly with valuable resources you can use to plan, launch, and sustain your classes.

Other member services

Free shipping and discounts
U.S. members receive free shipping, and international members receive discounted shipping on all At Home DVD and music CD orders. Members also receive a discount on Dance for PD T-shirts.

Ryver
Ryver is a members' forum that allows you to post thoughts and questions, and share links with other members. Ryver is easy and fun to use, and can be accessed through a mobile App as well as via computer. You can log into your account

Thank you for reading News and Notes! 

Dance for PD® is made possible through generous support from our community. We gratefully acknowledge contributions from individual Dance for PD members, donors, and Friends of MMDG along with public and private institutions:

AbbVie

American Parkinson Disease Association

Adira Foundation

Billy Rose Foundation

Bloomberg Philanthropies

The Bowen Fund

The Breukelein Institute

The Dillon Fund

Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation

Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund

Lily Auchincloss Foundation

Medtronic, Inc.

National Institutes of Health

A community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation

Sence Foundation

Sills Family Foundation

Stanley J. Wertheimer Fund

Public support for Dance for PD is provided by New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.