Dance Program at Krannert Center Supports People Living With Parkinson’s
- ClarkLindsey
- Sep 28, 2018
- 2 min read
A monthly dance class at the Krannert Center in Urbana is helping people with Parkinson’s disease improve mobility, balance, and confidence through movement and music. Led by instructors trained in adaptive dance, the program offers participants a supportive space to stretch, strengthen, and reconnect with their bodies.
What Happened
The Krannert Center hosts a recurring program called Dance for People with Parkinson’s, designed specifically for individuals experiencing the motor challenges associated with the disease. Parkinson’s affects movement, balance, and muscle control, often causing stiffness and limited range of motion. While there is no cure, structured movement programs like dance can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life.
Instructors Kate Insolia and Laura Chiaramonte guide participants through exercises that encourage reaching, extending, and moving beyond the patterns of everyday motion. Their goal is to counteract the muscle tightness and constriction common in Parkinson’s by inviting dancers to explore space with their arms, legs, and torso.
Participants describe the class as both physically beneficial and emotionally uplifting. Movements are paired with music, creating an environment that feels expressive rather than clinical. As Insolia explains, even when the movements feel awkward at first, the shared experience becomes “graceful” and “beautiful.”
Jim and Maxine Kaler, married for 58 years, attend nearly every session together. Jim, diagnosed with Parkinson’s seven years ago, says the class gives him an hour of feeling noticeably better—something he values deeply. Maxine attends alongside him, describing it simply as part of the commitment they made to one another.
Why This Matters
Programs like this highlight the importance of community‑based support for people living with chronic conditions. Dance offers more than exercise—it provides social connection, emotional expression, and a sense of agency at a time when mobility can feel unpredictable.
The Kalers’ participation also underscores the role of caregivers and partners in managing long‑term health challenges. Their shared commitment reflects how movement programs can strengthen not only physical well‑being but also relationships and resilience.
Key Details at a Glance
Location: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana
Program: Dance for People with Parkinson’s
Benefits: Improved balance, flexibility, strength, and emotional well‑being
Instructors: Kate Insolia and Laura Chiaramonte
Participants: Open to individuals with Parkinson’s and their care partners
Broader Context
Across the country, adaptive dance programs have become an important complement to traditional therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Research shows that rhythmic movement can support coordination, gait, and mood. Community‑based classes also reduce isolation by bringing people together in a creative, encouraging environment.
The Krannert Center’s program reflects a growing recognition that the arts can play a meaningful role in health and wellness, especially for older adults and those managing chronic conditions.
Source Attribution
This post is based on publicly reported information originally covered by WAND News.
