Workshops and Seminars
Donna brings to her workshops and seminars her passionate belief
that everyone can dance, that dance improves the quality of life
of the individuals who do it, transforms the space between those
individuals, and makes the world a better place. Donna has a grounded
presence and a wealth of experience to offer in any setting. With
infectious enthusiasm and a wise heart, Donna offers the following:
- Staff Training to Use the Octaband®
Learn ways to use this colorful and engaging product to encourage movement and socialization with people of all ages and abilities. The Octaband® promotes both individuality and group cohesion and is particularly helpful in heterogeneous groups with people of varying physical and cognitive abilities.
- Moving for Health and Pleasure
Using props, humor and every day movements,
Donna encourages elders to
express themselves, have fun, and experience a greater sense of vitality, well-being
and connection to others. She uses a wide range of music, both familiar and new that
makes everyone’s toes tap, Donna stimulates participants to stretch, shake, twist
and bend. Recommended group size no more than 20, all levels and abilities.
DJ Dancin’ Donna
This program is designed for large groups of senior adults of all abilities and levels to get them moving to toe-tapping music from the Big Bands, the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, Broadway musicals, and music from the Caribbean. Donna brings themes, props, plenty of inspiration, and a sense of fun to elicit movement, dance, song and a greater sense of vitality.
- Nonverbal Communication in Dementia Care:
A Training Program for Care Partners
People with dementia, especially those with language impairment, perceive themselves as safe or endangered through their reading of nonverbal behavior. Despite the erosion of a person’s cognitive skills, there often remains significant ability to communicate nonverbally.
This workshop / consultation is designed to introduce the caregiver to some of the
elements of nonverbal communication, including the use of distance and
proximity, posture, gestures, facial expression, rhythm, space, weight, and tension. The
opportunity will be provided for caregivers to become more aware of their own unconscious communicative movement and how that affects people with dementia. By
learning how to better attune with persons with dementia, we let them know nonverbally
that they are seen, heard, and affirmed and we bring them back into a
sense of connection and belonging.
- Bringing Dance to People with Dementia
This course will teach how and where to teach dance to elders and how to market yourself to the eldermarket. This course is
designed for dancers, dance teachers and therapists and anyone with a solid background in dance who would like to expand their tools in working with senior adults and develop an on-going support network.
Topics will include approaching dance with elders, designing movement appropriate to ability, creating open-ended structures to enhance participation on many levels, the role of music, motivating dance through the other arts and props, working with wheelchairs, and creating community. Developing new structures, activities, and approaches are part of the curriculum.
Sessions will include a combination of theory and experience, some with only dancers, some with dancers and seniors. After the initial sessions, students will be encouraged to lead parts of the sessions with elders.
- Stress Management for Caregivers
- Moving toward Spirituality
- Listening to the Body’s Wisdom: Cultivating Body Awareness and Acceptance
Please contact Donna if you are interested in one of her workshops
Click here to Read Testimonials for Donna's Workshops
