Dance Heginbotham offers an array of Education and Engagement experiences for movers of all ages and abilities. DH works with each presenter and community to create a range of outreach activities that connect to their constituency in meaningful ways, including artist talks, technique and composition classes, workshops for non-dancers, and more.

Whether we are leading experiences for children, pre-professional dancers, community members, or people with disabilities, it is DH's belief that anyone and everyone can be moved by dance. Our culture of inclusion comes from the top. Artistic Director John Heginbotham is a founding teacher of the Dance for PD® program, which offers movement classes for people with Parkinson's Disease. DH also has experience leading movement workshops for deaf, blind, and differently-abled populations.

DANCE FOR PD®
Dance for PD®, a program of Mark Morris Dance Group, was born from the idea that people with Parkinson’s disease could benefit from the insight and specific techniques and methods used by dancers to guide their own bodies and minds. This award-winning,research-backed program strives to increase coordination, balance, flexibility and strength through music and movement from abroad range of dance styles. In classes led by professionally trained dancers, participants experience the grace, fluidity and power of dance in a social, joyful and supportive environment. No dance experience is required. In chairs, at a barre, or moving across the floor, participants explore elements of modern dance, ballet, creative improvisation, tap, social dancing, and Dance Heginbotham company repertory while music energizes, enriches and empowers. 

LIMITED MOBILITY WORKSHOP
Underscoring Dance Heginbotham's culture of inclusion, this is a customized dance workshop which emphasizes the creation of a gentle, focused space for dancing to occur. A sensitivity to the specific concerns of people with limited mobility is inherent but the class is centered on the aesthetic, athletic, and expressive possibilities of dance. 

TECHNIQUE CLASSES
Led by Artistic Director John Heginbotham or company dancers, this class focuses on developing techniques for moving efficiently and expressively, with consciousness, strength, and grace. Special attention is paid to exploring and understanding the role of musicality in dancing. Each class begins on the floor, incorporating the anatomically sound movement principles of 20th Century dance pioneers Irmgard Bartenieff and Rudolf Laban. A standing, ballet-informed center follows, and the class concludes with a series of dynamic traveling and jumping combinations.

REPERTORY WORKSHOP
Dive deeper into the Dance Heginbotham experience by learning repertoire directly from our company members. Starting with a contemporary-based warm up and progressing to a virtuosic movement experience pulling from our vast and unique set of repertoire, this workshop can be adapted for all ages and levels. 

CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 
Led by Artistic Director John Heginbotham, students learn to develop movement material for solo and groups, through various problem-solving activities. Participants will be asked to create dance studies focused on musical structures, narrative, physical interaction, and partnering. The class will end with time devoted to viewing and discussing the work created. Live music is an essential part of this class.

If you have any questions about DH Education + Engagement opportunities and how we can serve your community, please email us.