Each Thursday since September 2017, dancers from the Quinte region have been gathering at Quinte Ballet School of Canada (QBSC) in Belleville for a free one-hour movement and dance class with live piano music. Starting on Thursday September 14, Dancing with Parkinson’s classes resume in Quinte Ballet School’s studio at 196 Palmer Road in Belleville from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. New participants are welcome to join these free classes at QBSC that run from September 14 to December 7, 2023 and from January 11 to June 6, 2024.
For seniors who are unable to come to Quinte Ballet School studios, Dancing with Parkinson’s classes also take place regularly at three retirement homes – at Quinte Gardens and Westgate Lodge in Belleville and at Crown Ridge Retirement Residence in Quinte West. Classes subsidized by these homes for seniors include participants in independent living situations and in assisted care to long-term care settings.
Dancing with Parkinson’s teacher Kristina McIntosh says, “Special funding from the 2023 City of Belleville’s Social Infrastructure Fund (funded in part by money from Shorelines Casino Belleville) helps us to offer free Dancing with Parkinson’s classes on Thursdays at QBSC and to offer a number of introductory classes at local homes for seniors with an interest in bringing the program to their facility. By offering introductory classes at retirement homes, we are able to reach residents with Parkinson’s and mobility issues who may not be able to attend our in-person classes at QBSC.”
Over the years, additional support for the Dancing with Parkinson’s program has come from the Rotary Club of Belleville’s community grants, from individual donors as well as by a strong commitment on the part of QBSC, its teachers and many dedicated volunteers.
For more information on the program email danceparkinsonsqbsc@gmail.com
