Princeton Ballet School Introduces New Dance Class For People With Parkinson's Disease

Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, is proud to introduce its NEW Dance for Parkinson's classes for people living with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers. The four week program begins with a FREE class on Thursday, August 9 at the Princeton Ballet School located at the Princeton Shopping Center above McCaffrey's, 301 N. Harrison Street. Classes are from 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm.

Each class, led by Rachel Stanislawczyk, features live music, conveys the benefits of exercise, and is infused with guided imagery, vocalization, and movement. Participants are encouraged to 'think like dancers' and to be creative and expressive. Open to all levels of ability! Although participants may experience therapeutic relief, this class is not considered therapy, but a place where people come together to move, share, and enjoy the elements of dance.

"We are thrilled to be offering this class, guided by a wonderfully kind and experienced teacher," says Executive Director Julie Diana Hench. "Our hope is that the art of dance will bring joy and relief to people with Parkinson's disease while providing a community of support for them and their caregivers."

Stanislawczyk began her dance training at Princeton Ballet School in 2003. She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. Rachel is a certified instructor of the Elemental Body Alignment System, and a Lead Teacher for the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD program. She is currently earning her Masters in Dance Education at Rutgers University.

"As a dancer, a teacher and PBS founder, Audrée would have loved the inclusion of a program for people with Parkinson's disease, because she sought to provide opportunities for everyone to know the joy of movement and dance, no matter their limitations," says her children, Larry and Carol Estey. "As someone who late in her life lived with Parkinson's, our mother would have cherished the opportunity to be with others, moving to live music, embodying that joy again in a safe environment. Bravo to PBS for offering this program!"

First class is FREE. Register for all 4 classes, August 9 through 30, for $30.00 (drop-in rate $15 per class). For more information, email Rachel at RStanislawczyk@arballet.org, or call Lindsay Cahill at (732) 249-1254, ext. 19.

ABOUT American Repertory Ballet AND PRINCETON BALLET SCHOOL

American Repertory Ballet's mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs. The organization comprises: the preeminent professional classical and contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and ARB's Access & Enrichment initiatives, including the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program. The performing company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th centuries alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today. Founded in 1963, the company is currently under the artistic leadership of Douglas Martin, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. To learn more, visit arballet.org.

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