The power of music and dance for people with Parkinson’s

Imagine a world where music and movement transformed the lives of those living with debilitating illnesses.

That’s the goal of a collaboration between ‘Park ‘n Songs’, Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, and Queensland Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s program, who recently came together to deliver a collaborative workshop for Toowoomba locals living with Parkinson’s Disease.

Launched in 2017, ‘Park ‘n Songs’ was created in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and the Parkinson’s Queensland Support Group to offer a supportive space for singing.

Associate Professor Dr Melissa Forbes, who was instrumental in establishing the group, said evidence-based music interventions improved vocal health, boosted confidence, reduced stigma, and strengthened social connections for participants.

“Music and dance have an unparalleled ability to connect people,” Dr Forbes said.

“We’ve found that ‘Park ‘n Songs’ has improved quality of life for people with Parkinson’s,” she said.

“Song and dance have been shown to provide emotional and social benefits, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing the stigma associated with the condition.”

These outcomes aligned perfectly with the Dance for Parkinson’s Australia and Queensland Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s program, which has also shown the transformative power of dance for people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Commencing in 2013, Queensland Ballet has offered weekly specialised dance classes to people with Parkinson’s Disease, based on the internationally recognised Dance for PD® program, in partnership with Dance for Parkinson’s Australia.

Queensland Ballet’s Community and Dance Health Manager Mimi Van Buuren said the workshop and community tour to the Toowoomba Region was supported by Queensland Health, Toowoomba Regional Council and The Empire Theatre.

“We’re passionate about sharing the many benefits of dance for mental and physical health with people throughout Queensland,” Ms Van Buuren said.

“Alongside this workshop, we were thrilled to be able to facilitate classes from our wider suite of Dance for Health programs, including Ballet for Brain Injury, Dance for Arthritis, and Ballet Serene for our adapted seated ballet classes for aged care residents.”

Dance for Parkinson’s Founder and Co-Director Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey said there was a growing movement of evidence-based programs such as Dance for Parkinson’s with documented benefits for quality of life and wellbeing.

“Our program is grounded in cross-sector collaborations, and we greatly value our long-term relationship with Queensland Ballet and the opportunity to co-facilitate such a wonderful workshop with ‘Park n Songs’ and to have the chance to continue to share the benefits of arts and health in regional communities,” Dr Jeffrey said.

In 2023, Queensland Ballet also launched the Van Norton Li Community Health Institute, signalling their firm and steadfast commitment to community, health and access.

Learn more about Park ‘n Songs, Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, and Queensland Ballet’s Dance for Health programs.