Posted by Nancy Mazonson

The Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) was performing in Boston and we had the privilege of having David Leventhal, program manager for MMDG's Dance for PD®, and John Heginbotham, company dancer, join the dance class that is part of Parkinson's Family Support Program on Friday, October 15.

This is the third year that David and John have come and it's always a treat for members of the dance class to have the opportunity to dance with professional dancers of such high caliber—and a treat, as well, to simply watch them. Art Sullivan is our new dance instructor and this was the first time that our dancers, under his tutelage, performed two dances for David and John, both of whom have a tremendous sensitivity to and love for people with Parkinson's disease.

One dance program participant said, "What I liked was dancing with the Mark Morris dancers - doing, rather than observing. It made me feel more confident about my Parkinson's."

After the class, David and John joined Art, Catherine Zopf (our intern who is getting her Master's at Lesley College in Expressive Therapies), Mike Travis from Development, and me for lunch. David travels all over the world to promote dance for people with Parkinson's. Together we are exploring opportunities to replicate our dance program in other sites in Boston.

Nancy Mazonson has coordinated the JF&CS Parkinson's Family Support Program since its inception in September 2006. The program is a leading resource in the Boston area with its unique programs, including Parkinson's Dance, Adult Child and Care Partner support groups, and Tremble Clefs choral singing. Prior to her work at JF&CS, Nancy worked extensively in inpatient and community-based rehabilitation settings, specializing in helping people with degenerative neurological conditions.