Dancing with neurological challenges
Following a successful pilot phase, the project launched by the Zurich Opera House and the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich is being continued and expanded.
Connect is a dance project for people living with neurological challenges such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson's disease. The impetus for this came from the ballet director of Ballett Zürich, Cathy Marston, whose ballet The Cellist tells the life story of Jacqueline du Pré, who suffered from MS and died at an early age. A dance training programme for people with neurological challenges was developed in collaboration with several partners: Musicians from the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich accompany individual sessions. The training sessions are based on the Dance & Creative Wellness Foundation's many years of expertise and are co-designed by members of the independent dance group The Field. Following a successful pilot phase, this unique project for Zurich and Switzerland will be continued in the 2024/25 season. Kunsthaus Zürich is now also a new partner.
Watch SRF Kulturplatz report about Connect
Listen to SRF Regionaljournal report about Connect
Why dance and music?
Recent neurological research sees dance as an ideal intervention for neurological diseases and disorders such as MS or Parkinson's disease. They emphasise the role of dance and music in overcoming motor barriers and improving psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life. The creative practice and approach of the Connect project is based on evidence-based research at the innovative intersection of dance and neurology. Movement offers participants the opportunity to connect with themselves and their environment. Dancing shapes and encourages expression, posture and creativity.
Connect in the 2024/25 season
From autumn 2024, weekly training sessions will take place in three groups. These will be led by professional dancers with the relevant expertise. Musicians from the Tonhalle- Orchester Zürich will provide live music in selected sessions. In terms of content, the Connect training sessions will focus on a choreography by Ballett Zürich or a musical programme by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich over a period of several weeks. In the sessions, participants examine these works from different perspectives under the guidance of the teaching artists. This allows participants to immerse themselves in an inspiring musical and dance environment.
The experience is enriched by joint visits to rehearsals at the Zurich Opera House and the Tonhalle Zurich.
The weekly dance classes take place on Friday afternoons in the rooms of the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich. The Kunsthaus Zürich gives the participants the opportunity to creatively deepen their experiences and transform movement into colour through their own painting and design in the art education studios.
The weekly dance classes are usually offered on Friday afternoons in the Vereinssall of the Tonhalle Zürich; 12 of the 38 training sessions take place in exhibition rooms at the Kunsthaus Zürich.
Interested in Connect?
The places for the 2024/25 season are already fully booked, as many interested people with Parkinson's have contacted us in recent months and put their names on the Connect waiting list.
Unlike in many other countries, there are still very few dance programmes for people with Parkinson's in Switzerland. As far as we know, Connect is the only dance training programme in Switzerland for people with MS. We also see the great interest shown by so many people affected as a mandate to motivate other institutions and dance professionals to offer dance programmes for people with MS, Parkinson's and other neurological challenges in Zurich and other regions of Switzerland so that as many people affected as possible can dance.
In the coming weeks, we will publish a link here to other dance programmes for people with neurological challenges.
If you are interested in the project and dance programmes in Switzerland, you can register here for further news.
Patronage
Cathy Marston, Ballet Director and Chief Choreographer Ballet Zurich
Ilona Schmiel, Intendant Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich
Ann Demeester, Director Kunsthaus Zürich
Cooperation
- Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich
- Zurich Opera House / Zurich Ballet
- The Field
- Dance & Creative Wellness Foundation, Clare Guss-West
Scientific advice
- Neurological Clinic University Hospital Zurich: Parkinson Team and MS Team
- Elevate ® Scottish Ballet: Specialists of the dance programme for people with MS
Supported by
Translated with DeepL.com
Questions and Answers
Why should people with neurological challenges dance?
Dancing is an extremely diverse activity. It combines physical, cognitive, creative and social aspects. Dance groups for Parkinson's patients have existed since 2001; starting with a group in New York, the idea has now spread to all continents. Since 2019, dance groups for people with multiple sclerosis have been added based on a Scottish programme. Connect is the first such project in Switzerland.
Is Connect a dance therapy programme?
No. The participants are addressed as dancers, not as patients. However, all the people who lead the training sessions have expertise in the particular challenges of these sessions.
What effect does dancing have on Parkinson's patients?
A dopamine deficit causes various symptoms in Parkinson's: for example, difficulty initiating movements on purpose and continuing them fluidly, or balance problems. Other keywords are slowing down, trembling, freezing (when you want to move but can't). Over 2000 studies have now shown that physical activity can slow down the progression of the disease. This is also important because there are still no drugs or surgical measures that can do this. Dancing is considered to be particularly effective – because it combines various aspects (including balance, coordination, fluid movement sequences, social interaction); in addition, the music acts as an external clock and replaces the loss of an internal clock, which can help with freezing problems in particular.
What effect does dancing have on MS patients?
Multiple sclerosis is a disease with very different symptoms and progressions. It causes balance disorders, paralysis and sensory disturbances. The disease usually progresses in phases; symptoms can disappear again, but the health condition can also deteriorate continuously. There are now medications and therapies that can effectively prevent relapses. However, there are smouldering inflammations that can cause progressive disability. Dancing is also considered a helpful activity for this disease, which can have a neuroprotective or even neuroregenerative effect. Dancing can also lead to improvements in the symptoms of fatigue or concentration difficulties that MS patients sometimes suffer from.
Can such results be proven?
Yes, studies have shown that dancing appears to be better for the brain than normal exercise. Imaging techniques have shown changes in the cortical structure, and blood markers have also shown that such changes occur.
What effects does dancing have apart from the physical results?
Dancing is fun – even small children turn every rhythm into movement. Dancing can also improve the mood of people with neurological challenges, boost their self-esteem and improve their general quality of life. In addition to the dancing itself, the social contacts in the dance training sessions also help. And: unlike pharmacological measures, dancing has no side effects.
What is special about Connect?
There are three aspects: Firstly, some dance training sessions are accompanied by musicians from the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. Secondly, in addition to the training sessions, participants are invited to attend rehearsals at Zurich Opera House and the Tonhalle Zürich, giving them an insight into these cultural organisations. And thirdly, the project is linked to further training for musicians and dancers - in the hope that there will be more such events in Switzerland in the future.
Are the training sessions exclusively for patients with Parkinson's and MS?
In principle, yes. However, there is also the option of noting other neurological diagnoses on the registration form. In these cases, we will check whether participation in this context makes sense.
How will the participants be selected?
On the one hand, the order of registration plays a role, on the other hand, it is also about a balanced composition of the group. Anyone who doesn't get a place is put on a waiting list.
What physical requirements must be met?
There are no physical requirements, you can also attend the dance training sessions in a wheelchair or with a walking frame, and you can dance both standing and sitting. It is important that participants are aware of their limitations (risk of falling) and can communicate their needs to the instructors and assistants.
Are there disabled parking spaces at the Tonhalle?
Yes.
How should I dress for the training sessions?
As comfortable as possible.
What exactly does a Connect training session involve?
The club hall is open half an hour before the start and there is coffee and cookies for those who arrive by then. The actual training session lasts one hour. Afterwards, you can round off the event with a coffee.
How often do you have to train for it to be useful?
Studies have shown that two one-hour training sessions per week would be ideal. For organisational reasons, Connect can only take place once a week.
Can accompanying persons attend the training sessions?
In order to provide a safe environment for the participants, accompanying persons are generally not allowed to watch the training sessions.
Will the results of Connect be evaluated?
No scientific evaluation is planned; however, the project will be supported by doctors from the University Hospital Zurich in an advisory capacity. And in any case, there will be a survey at the end of each season where participants can give their feedback.
How is Connect organised in terms of insurance?
Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
