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Une professeure dirige deux jeunes danseuses dans un cours de ballet
A large crowd gathered for Sharing Dance Day.
Students perform in Arise.
Five dancers jumping in unison.
Two older adults dance enthusiastically beside each other

Sharing Dance Older Adults

Dance is for Everyone!

Did you know that the artistry and physicality of dance supports the overall physical, emotional and social wellbeing of older adults?

 

Developed by Baycrest and Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), our Sharing Dance Older Adults program is safe, accessible, and engages older adults in meaningful dance activity. Programming is designed for individual dancers, as well as for organizations in a variety of settings, including community spaces, retirement homes, long-term care centres, and more.

Classes are physically, cognitively, and creatively stimulating and incorporate a variety of different musical and dance styles. They are offered in a seated position with In Your Seat—accessible for people with moderate to significant physical and/or cognitive challenges—or in a standing position with On Your Feet—designed to be accessible for people with mild physical and/or cognitive challenges. 


The Sharing Dance Older Adults program is great for: 

  • Older adults who are looking for an opportunity to exercise, socialize, and have fun.

  • Those who have some physical limitations and appreciate movement classes.

  • Someone who enjoys moving to beautiful music!

 

Are you a dance teacher interested in working with older adults? Learn more about our Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Older Adults Teacher Training here!

Why dance?

Why dance?

Regular dancing helps develop skills and confidence, while enriching day-to-day life through creative expression!

 

Recent research suggests that dance offers unique benefits for older adults, including those living with dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges. The artistry and physicality of dance supports overall physical, emotional and social wellbeing among older adults. Some of the physical benefits of dancing in older adulthood may include greater strength and flexibility, improved aerobic power, improved balance, and increased muscle endurance.

 

What are some of the benefits of the Sharing Dance Older Adults program? 

  • Aims to support overall physical, emotional and social wellbeing through dance engagement

  • Aims to build and develop independence and confidence in dance movement for older adults with varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities

  • Streamable classes maintain high calibre of program content delivery by NBS dance experts and ensures consistency and quality

  • Classes do not require any dance experience to facilitate or participate

Subscribe to the Sharing Dance Older Adults App

Discover the joy and benefits of dance—at home!


The Sharing Dance Older Adults app offers safe, seated and standing dance classes on-demand for you! Classes are taught by professional dance teachers from Canada’s National Ballet School, are accompanied by a live musician, and include a variety of movement options. No dance experience is required!

  • Subscribe to access streamed videos and follow along with dance experts as they lead you through classes

  • Watch through the Sharing Dance Older Adults web platform, or download the app to your phone or tablet

  • Enjoy engaging classes featuring live accompaniment that develop your skills and confidence

  • Take classes either In Your Seat or On Your Feet

New to the app: Now featuring Dance at Home and Community Classes presented in French! Click here to watch.

 

Subscribe Today - Access is Free

 

Click here for help with creating an account.

A dancers participates in a creative movement class while smiling

Dance with us at our Toronto campus!

Join us for in-person classes at our campus in downtown Toronto! This 60 minute dance class is designed to be accessible to older adults with varying levels of physical ability.

 

Classes begin with seated dancing, followed by dancing in a standing position. Standing sections of the class include seated options for those who prefer to continue dancing in a seated position. Classes are designed to be physically, cognitively, and creatively stimulating and incorporate a variety of different musical and dance styles.

 

  • Classes will be held Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00am

  • Classes begin Tuesday Sept 17, 2024

  • 400 Jarvis St., Toronto, ON

If you would like more information, or are interested in registering please email sharingdance@nbs-enb.ca.

Cours communautaires pour les organismes

Bring joy to your community through the power of dance!

Empower your organization to engage your community through dance. By streaming on-demand classes online or through our new app on a range of devices, older adults can participate in high-quality dance programming that supports physical, emotional and social wellbeing. No dance experience is required to facilitate or participate!

 

What is included in a Community Class package?

  • 4 terms per year are offered. Each term package consists of 6 classes

  • Access to a 30 minute online facilitator training course

How Are Classes Delivered?

  • An instructor from Canada’s National Ballet School teaches the classes via video streaming from the studio in Toronto

  • Stream on-demand classes online or through our new app on a range of devices

  • Classes focus on community building and social interaction; fosters meaningful interaction between programming staff and older adults

  • Classes are approximately 40-55 minutes in length and designed to be adaptable to meet physical and cognitive challenges

  • Classes feature live musical accompaniment 

 

Explore Community Class Packages

Older adults enjoying creative movement.

Participant over 90 years of age

You don’t have to have any dance experience. As long as you want to move to music, everyone and anyone is welcome.

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Marsha, Onsite Facilitator

Some of the participants are more reserved and especially one does not like to come to activity programs … She is probably the most active member in our dance class at this time and smiles the whole time through. Thank you.

Members of the community at NBS block party.

Sarah, Onsite Facilitator

I thought it was fantastic! I was so impressed by everyone’s effort and was blown away by the engagement, especially from our gentlemen!

Placeholder graphic with cube design in gray.

Natalie, Onsite Facilitator

The participants absolutely love it! The one gentleman in our class said, ‘This is the most fun I have had in a long time.’ The participants can’t wait for next week – the infectious smiles and joy on the participants’ faces were wonderful. Amazing class! Thank you!

Let's get
In Touch

Have questions for us? We would love to hear from you. Complete this email form for more information about Sharing Dance Older Adults program offerings.

Lead Supporters, Older Adult Programs

Government Supporters