People Dancing

This two-day course is ideal for both early career artists who wish to work in health settings and more experienced artists considering developing a specialism in this area of work.

£170 Members / £270 non-Members

This largely practical course with live music input, will allow you to delve deep into the essentials of this work and emerge with a strong foundation on which to deliver it as part of your practice. You will experience the spirit in which the work is delivered including a live demonstration and conversation with a local dance group for people living with Parkinson’s. You will also learn how you can continue your journey beyond the day through our Participatory Arts Qualifications and opportunities to shadow or work on our future programmes.

This course is presented as part of Live Well & Dance with Parkinson’s, a strategic development programme of People Dancing. It brings teaching dance artists of all styles and backgrounds together with the community of individuals with lived experience of Parkinson’s to experience the joy of dancing; to be creative and curious and to lead and drive activity with their Parkinson’s community. Its inclusion in People Dancing Intensives is always key, since we are keen to expand our national network of artists and dancers leading and taking part, acting as an advocate for the value and impact dance can have on living well with Parkinson’s

Participation in this course requires advance completion of the Dance for Parkinson’s online learning programme (10 – 12 hours study) which is offered at the discount price of £40. This eight-unit online course, developed by People Dancing, Dance for PD®, and Mark Morris Dance Group, provides dance practitioners and others with core foundational knowledge about the safe, effective, and creative delivery of dance sessions for people living with Parkinson’s. It prepares dance practitioners for the practical, in-person introductory and advanced workshops that constitute the primary components of a comprehensive training programme offered by partner organisations around the world. If not already completed, the cost of this for course participants is £40, purchased at the time of booking.

Photo: Heidi Wilson (right), Dancing Summer School. Photographer: Rachel Cherry.

About Heidi Wilson

I have been working in community dance since the Middle Ages (well, 1991), when People Dancing was The Community Dance and Mime Foundation (CDMF)! I now divide my time between community dance practice in rural mid Wales and lecturing in dance at Cardiff Metropolitan University. I have always been interested in the translation of dance practices to the applied contexts of education, community and wellbeing where creativity, innovation, joy and play can achieve so much for us all.

At the heart of my work is the facilitation of community, relationship and belonging. I have a particular interest in dance with people living with Parkinson’s and have had the great privilege to dance with Strictly Parkinson’s since 2014 from whom I continue to learn so much. Together we discover the possibilists of dancing with Parkinson’s. I so look forward to meeting, dancing and learning with you at People Dancing’s Summer Intensive.