The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, VT, received a grant for its movement class for people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers.

Instructor Sara McMahon will use the grant to engage participants’ minds and bodies through Dance for PD, which has been described as one of the most important programs for those with Parkinson’s in the country.  Classes explore stretching, muscle strengthening, posture stability and rhythm.  Sara, a Flynn Arts faculty member, performer and educator, was inspired to trained in the Dance for PD method with the Mark Morris Dance Company after her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

FlynnArts piloted this program last year and has been in talks with the local hospital and a senior center with a high density Parkinson’s population to increase the reach of the classes.  The Center, which believes “the arts belong to everyone,” offers 12 classes each semester.

Emily’s love for theater was nearly matched by her love for dance, and we are always looking for grant funding opportunities that involve movement.  Christina Weakland, the Flynn’s Director of Education, writes:  “Thanks to Emily for having cared about the kinds of things that still deeply matter to people.  That she makes a difference even now must mean so much to you.  It certainly does to us.”