Dance is more than movement. It brings together physical activity, social connection and cognitive engagement.
In this episode, we explore how dance can benefit people of all ages and abilities. We join a dance class at Canada’s National Ballet School with Michael Farewell, a community-dwelling older adult dancer. Then Dr. Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, shares insights into the growing evidence behind dance and healthy aging.
Whether in a studio, community centre or living room, there’s no right or wrong way to dance. Making dance a regular part of your life can benefit your overall wellness and remember… dance like no one is watching.
Tune in at defydementia.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dance combines a wide variety of brain healthy activities like exercise, social connection, and cognitive engagement.
Dance can be adapted for all types of physical and cognitive abilities.
No matter the style, dance can be good for you.
Make dance a regular part of your life – there is no right or wrong way to dance!
If you don’t know where to start, look for a dance class near you or online that moves at your pace.
And… dance like no one is watching.
Michael Farewell
Soon to be 79, Michael has attended older adult dance classes at Canada’s National Ballet School for many years. A Tai Chi enthusiast, he participates in Tai Chi and line dancing at Toronto’s Mon Sheong Centre. He retired from Bell Canada two decades ago.
Dr. Rachel Bar
Dr. Rachel Bar was a professional ballet dancer before she completed her PhD in psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University and a post-doctoral fellowship at Trent University’s Trent Centre for Aging & Society. Since 2020, Rachel has been Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School where she oversees the School’s Research Institute and Artistic Health Department. Her research spans broadly across both the health and wellness needs of dancers and the benefits of dance for community health and wellness. Specifically, much of her work in community research has focused on dance in older adulthood, including its benefits for people living with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and the knowledge mobilization of this research.
Megan Ferris
Megan Ferris is the Manager of Older Adults and Community School Programs at Canada's National Ballet School (NBS). She is a graduate with distinction from the NBS Teacher Training Program and the Faculty of Arts at Ryerson University specializing in Early Childhood Studies. In her role, Megan focuses on providing dance programming to people of all ages and abilities, while coordinating partnership development as well as evaluation for on-site, in community and online programming. Along with her extensive work in NBS' Community Dance Programs, Megan is also a faculty member and student mentor in NBS' Teacher Training Program.
Jeannie Yeun
Jeanne Yuen is a Toronto-based pianist and accompanist who works with Canada’s National Ballet School, the School of Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre and Royal Academy of Dance examinations. A University of Toronto graduate, she maintains an active freelance career and piano studio in the Greater Toronto Area.
- The Surprising Brain-Boosting Benefits of Dance - Baycrest Foundation - from Baycrest Foundation
- Sharing Dance Older Adults - from Canada’s National Ballet School
- Sharing Dance Research Project - from Canada’s National Ballet School
- Dance, Ageing and Collaborative Arts-Based Research - from Routledge Publishing
- Mental Benefits of Dance - from WebMD