This partnership between Dance for Parkinson’s and The Australian Ballet is very close to our collective heart here at Classic Melbourne. Our Founder, Suzanne Yanko, suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for many years before succumbing to complications arising from the disease last year.
Having a supremely enterprising and positive spirit, Suzanne’s quest to maximise her movement capability led her to discover Dance for Parkinson’s and dance teacher Paris Wages, whom she quickly recruited as a dance reviewer for Classic Melbourne. Suzanne experienced much unexpected joy in these classes due to the warmth and expertise of the teacher and the pleasure of sharing dance movement with others who understood the challenges of having a neurological health issues.
Given Suzanne’s enthusiastic endorsement of the Dance for Parkinson’s program, we would urge people to embrace this opportunity as outlined in the following press release.
“The Australian Ballet collaborates with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia to host a special series of seated dance classes for adults living with neurological challenges
“Local teaching artists with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia Katrina Rank and Paris Wages will be collaborating with The Australian Ballet Education and Outreach team for an exciting new series of community classes. “The Beaut Ballet Series” is comprised of six hour-long dance classes led by Rank and Wages that integrate artistry and thematic work alongside The Australian Ballet’s current program.
“Resident Choreographer Alice Topp has offered parts of her new ballet Paragon for the participants to explore. Participants will learn about Topp’s creative process and embody a modified version of some of the choreography. Rank and Wages will lead the dancers through various warm-ups and exercises inspired by the ballet Swan Lake.
“The project will give access to art not readily made available to people living with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease and MS by giving participants a creative voice.
“Rank and Wages both have advance training in the Dance for PD® program based out of Brooklyn, NY. Rank is the Director of Education at Ausdance Victoria and has been involved in community dance in Melbourne for 30 years. She has a PhD in Dance from Deakin University. Wages has professional dance experience from San Francisco and Los Angeles, and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in dance from Florida State University.
“Join Paris Wages and Katrina Rank and guests from The Australian Ballet in this special series of Dance for Parkinson’s classes aligned to two productions of The Australian Ballet.
“These classes are tailored for anyone living with health challenges associated with Parkinson’s or other neurological disorders.
Each class will have you inspired and moving with others to glorious music. And best of all it’s free! No partners required, but friends are welcome. Bookings essential.
“The classes start at 11:00am on Sunday 18 June in a studio on level 5 of 2 Kavanagh Street, South Bank. Enter via Kavanagh Street Car Park as Sturt Street is closed. The event is free, supported by The Australian Ballet, Dance for Parkinson’s Australia and a grant from the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation. Bookings necessary at quixoticdancetech@gmail.com or mobile: 0449058360
“Sun 18 + 25 June; Sun 9 + 16 July; Sun 3 September
Class from 11am – 12 noon
Please come 5-10 minutes early as latecomers may not be admitted.
The Australian Ballet Centre2 Kavanagh St, Southbank VIC 3006”
Photo supplied.
