April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month with April 11 officially recognized as World Parkinson’s Day – a time dedicated to spread knowledge, understanding and awareness of Parkinson’s disease and to show support for Canadians who live with Parkinson’s Disease.
Since 2017, Quinte Ballet School’s Dancing with Parkinson’s program has welcomed many individuals that range in age from 55 to 93 years to Thursday morning dance and movement classes from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at their Belleville studios.
QBSC’s Dancing with Parkinson’s classes are free and all abilities are welcome to join a class in the month of April 2025 at 196 Palmer Road in Belleville.
In celebration of World Parkinson’s Day and thanks to a Parkinson Canada CARE Fund grant, QBSC is offering a special Alexander Technique presentation and workshop for people with Parkinson’s led by Candace Cox on Saturday April 12, 2025 from 1 to 3 p.m..
“Alexander Technique teaches you to be more aware of your body, improves posture and helps you move more effectively,” says Candace Cox, leader of the April 12 workshop. “It can help people with Parkinson’s to manage their symptoms and learn how the technique can be applied to counteract the effects of the disease.”
To register for a free Dancing with Parkinsons class on Thursdays in April or the Candace Cox workshop on April 12, contact QBSC by email at parkinsonsdance@quinteballetschool.com
Candace Cox is the founder and director of Big Sky Alexander Technique, and the author of Living Daily: Alexander Technique for Parkinson’s Disease.
She has also collaborated with numerous institutions across Canada, including the Banff Centre for the Arts and Queen’s University, and Opera Nuova. Currently, she serves as chair of the Parkinson’s Disease and Healthy Aging Committee for Alexander Technique Canada.
More than 100,000 Canadians live with Parkinson’s disease and 30 more are diagnosed every day.
A number of leading neurologists and movement disorder specialists include dance classes among a shortlist of recommended activities for their patients.
Over the years, support from the Dancing with Parkinson’s program has come from the new Parkinson Canada CARE Fund, Rotary Club of Belleville’s community grants, from the City of Belleville’s Community Arts & Culture Fund, the City of Belleville’s Social Infrastructure Fund, from individual donors, from special fundraising events, from local retirement residences as well as by a strong commitment on the part of the QBSC, its teachers and many dedicated volunteers.
For more information about QBSC’s Dancing with Parkinson’s program call 613-962-9274 ext. 23 or visit their website by CLICKING HERE
