It's an honor to be honored!
I am thrilled to be selected by the Northern California's Chapter of the Parkinson's Foundation to be this year's Moving Day Honoree.
When I was training for a professional dancing career, I never dreamed that the art form I was learning and loved with such passion would give me the skills to one day be of service to people with physical and cognitive disabilities. But that is exactly what happened!
After performing, I had a long career teaching adult ballet technique in colleges and private studios. When I retired from my full time job as HR Manager for San Francisco Ballet, I was asked to teach adult ballet at San Francisco Ballet School. Shortly after joining the faculty, Patrick Armand, then the Director of the Ballet School asked if I would be interested in teaching a dance class for people with Parkinson’s. Adaptive dance for adults was a new offering and Patrick was an advocate of the program as his mother, a respected ballet teacher died with Parkinson’s.
With the support of the Parkinson’s Foundation Community Service Grant, SF Ballet School offers free of charge weekly classes, social gatherings, tickets to SF Ballet Performances, Dance Education, and more.
For seven years classes have been offered without interuption. Classes are based in ballet – emphasizing joyful movement, artistry, and fun. A ballet school pianist accompanies our class and the beautiful music and accessible choreography propel us forward in our love of the very thing that anyone with Parkinson’s must do – and that is to MOVE!
We have all learned through research and from clinicians that Movement is the Medicine for People with Parkinson’s. I invite all my students, friends and family to make a donation in any amount and join me in supporting the Parkinson's Foundation who's mission is to improve the lives of People with Parkinson's.
Many thanks and I hope to see you in class!
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