Dance for Parkinson's

HAPS and Houston Ballet continue their partnership to offer an innovative, collaborative dance program for people with Parkinson’s in the Houston community.

Modeled after the pioneering program that the Brooklyn Parkinson Group and the Mark Morris Dance Group developed, the program was launched May 4, 2009. As the program enters its 2nd year, the class and the partnership are going strong. This initiative allows HAPS to expand its exercise program, adding a new type of dance group to its existing tango dance group. Led by Krissy Richmond, former Houston Ballet principle dancer, the class is a fun and exciting environment for people to tap into their creativity and apply some of the ground-breaking approaches that are proving to benefit those with Parkinson’s. Accomplished, professional pianist, Jo Ellen Hubert, accompanies the class with live music and incorporates various types of music, encouraging participants to dance independently and find their own beat. This class is amazingly fun and successful.

In Spring 2010, the program expanded to include a monthly singing group. ParkinSING, provides the students with the opportunity to use singing as a fun and practical method of expanding their breathing, maintaining and increasing their voice projection and working their lips, tongues, jaws and soft palates all in the context of singing Broadway songs they know, love and are inspired by!  

If you are interested in participating in the HAPS dance or singing program, contact the HAPS office at 713-626-7114. Beginners are welcome, no partners required—just a willingness to have fun!