The Play, Move, and Create Workshop Series
July 20, 2021
The Play, Move, and Create Workshop Series, supported by a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation, is a music, dance, and art program designed for people with Parkinson’s and care partners. It combines music, dance, and art to create an experience versus a class. These weekly, one-hour classes will be offered in four sessions throughout the grant period. Classes will be Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST. Each class will begin with a large group activity, followed by breakout music, dance, and art opportunities allowing participants to choose which modality to engage in. You will leave feeling energized, connected to your emotions, and self-confident!
The series is centered around the focus areas of music and art therapy, exercise and wellness through dance, and mental health. They are based on skill level, socialization, and mental health. The music component will introduce a variety of instruments and rhythms to address purposeful and intentional movement. The dance component uses the beat, lyrics, and pattern of steps to address fluidity, balance, and cognitive function. The art component uses different mediums to address sensory input, dexterity, and expressiveness. The social and mental health focus is centered on reducing isolation through relationships, increasing self-confidence and expression, and providing a fun experience that leaves participants feeling energized.
We have partnered with the Intercultural Senior Center (ISC) to provide this workshop series on-site at their facility in Omaha. ISC serves seniors isolated by poverty, language, cultural, and transportation barriers, including immigrants and refugees. ISC provides transportation and interpreters, making the program accessible and alleviating the barriers of Internet access, transportation, and language. Covid-19 regulations and guidelines will be followed during the in-person program. We will have participants fill out a waiver before classes. The series will simultaneously be provided in-person and virtually through Zoom. Virtual participants will have the supplies mailed to their homes at the start of each session. They will be able to connect to the large group activities as well as their chosen modality via the Zoom Breakout Room feature.
The series will be led by three instructors with qualifications in each program area. The art component will be led by Holly Lukasiewicz, a professional teaching artist with over 10 years of experience teaching visual art with a belief in social-emotional awareness and intersectional design. The dance component will be led by Georgie Kuhl, an exercise professional with extensive experience and certifications in Parkinson’s-specific programs. The music section will be led by Emily Wadhams, a board-certified music therapist with experience working with a variety of neurological conditions. The program will also be supported by therapy, art, and music student volunteers from the University of Nebraska Omaha and Creighton University.
We are overjoyed to have this program and we can’t wait to see you all!
Sessions and Curriculum
August 5, 2021 – June 9, 2022
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
In-person will be at:
Intercultural Senior Center 5545 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68106
Virtually by Zoom link: https://bit.ly/2YNYYzE
Questions? Contact emmy@parkinsonsnebraska.org