NEW CLASS Wednesday 10-11am, April 2-May 21, 2025
In person only: $120 + GST for 8 classes. Limited spaces available!
Register now: email outreach[at]thedancecentre.ca.
Mondays 3-4pm (PST), March 17-May 12, 2025 (no class April 21)
In person: fully booked | Online via zoom: FREE.
To register for zoom only: REGISTER HERE
Contact outreach[at]thedancecentre.ca if you have any questions.
This movement class starts with gentle stretching to warm up the body. Then we pick up the pace and have fun moving through styles such as jive, disco, and waltz, focusing on coordination and rhythm. After exploring balance, graceful placement, the transfer of weight and supple spines, the class ends with a final stretch.
All 55+ bodies welcome.
All levels welcome, including beginners!
Facilitators: Claire French, Lorraine White-Wilkinson + guest teachers
Part of our Power of Dance: Seniors Program.
Photos by Chris Randle
About the instructors:
Claire French
Claire French is grateful to have taught movement and dance for over three decades internationally in professional, pre-professional, educational, and community outreach contexts. A teacher for the Power of Dance program since 2021, Claire is inspired by the participants, fuelling her energetic, passionate, and attentive approach. Her dance background is a deeply embodied assortment of styles and she continues developing and crafting her unique approach through her teaching and choreographic practice.
She is a choreographer, collaborator, and artistic co-director with composer James Maxwell, of the interdisciplinary project-based company Restless Productions. She has spent many years studying, researching, lecturing and collaborating in interdisciplinary contexts, adding valuable perspective to her creative trajectory. She earned a Practice as Research PhD in Dance (University of Chichester, UK) in 2022. In 2024/2025 as one of The Dance Centre’s artists in residence, she will continue to explore and cultivate her professional practice as a performer, choreographer, and collaborator. Claire is a sought-after mentor, outside eye, rehearsal director, and facilitator. She is also honoured to be the host of The Dance Centre podcast.
Lorraine White-Wilkinson
Lorraine is a passionate and sensitive teacher who is currently researching the benefits of dance for older populations.
Her focus is on teaching dance as a way of tapping into physical & mental health, as an invitation to explore artistic expression, as well as a venue for community building.
She holds an MA in Arts Education, BA Honours degree in Dance, and has over 30 years teaching experience.