In a unique dance class in Yellowknife last Wednesday, the Canada’s National Ballet School took a different approach by starting with participants sitting in chairs in a circle. The school’s team, visiting from Toronto, initiated a program targeting older adults in the N.W.T with plans to expand similar initiatives in Yellowknife and other communities in the region.
Ashleigh Powell, the dance instructor and director of community dance programs at the school, highlighted the significance of empowering individuals through movement and music, especially in settings like long-term care facilities where personal agency can be limited.
The event, which was open to all, saw participants tapping their toes and moving to various music genres while seated in chairs. The class then progressed to standing for barre work on chairs and exploring the room through a waltz before concluding with more chair choreography set to the tune of “Proud Mary.”
Collaborating with local organizations like the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, the National Ballet School aims to broaden its reach and impact in the region. Sandra Crocker from the Alzheimer Society expressed enthusiasm for the positive effects of music and dance on individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
The school’s community dance programs, reaching over 30,000 individuals annually across Canada, focus on dispelling the stigma associated with dementia. By training local community members to facilitate dance programs and promoting the benefits of dance for older adults, the school aims to create a more inclusive and active environment.
Looking ahead, the ballet school team plans to return to the N.W.T. in the fall for further training activities, fostering the growth of the program in the territory. Crocker emphasized the importance of physical activity and movement for overall well-being and expressed hopes for the program’s continuity and expansion.
In essence, the National Ballet School’s initiative in Yellowknife not only promotes physical activity and joy through dance but also fosters a sense of community and well-being among older adults.