We are so happy to welcome you to 92y. Our health protocols have recently changed. Please read carefully before your visit.
Masks must be worn by everyone over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status.
Adults and children age 5+ must show proof of vaccination upon arrival.
Thank you for doing your part in helping to keep everyone in our community safe.
This course introduces the theory and practice of dance and dance/movement therapy as it relates to people living with a dementia.
The course utilizes creative movement and DMT methods to teach participants to create a psychologically safe and supportive social emotional environment where people with dementia can actively engage, inspire and uplift one another. Issues will include aging, dementia and dementia care, the use of self, the role of mirroring, kinesthetic empathy, group dynamics, cultural aspects of care, and the essential elements for creating and adapting dance and expressive movement structures for this population using music and props. We will touch upon elements of practice via video conference and in-person with physical distancing.
The methodology will include movement experiences in support of understanding attunement through mirroring and sensitive leadership, movement observation of video footage, as well as journaling and discussions. Break-out rooms will aid in our learning.
Online programs:An access link will be emailed to you after purchase
In-person programs:Adults and children ages 5+ must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend our in-person programs. Learn more.
Masks must be worn at all times by everyone over the age of 2.
Donna Newman-Bluestein, BC-DMT, CMA, LMHC, is a board certified dance/movement therapist, Certified Movement Analyst, licensed mental health counselor, Adjunct Faculty at Lesley University and dancer with Back Pocket Dancers intergenerational company. Since receiving her M.Ed. in Expressive Therapies with a major in dance/movement therapy from Lesley University, Donna has worked with children with physical disabilities, adults in acute psychiatric distress and in medical rehabilitation, and with senior adults in long-term care and Assisted Living residences. As an educator, supervisor, ...
Donna Newman-Bluestein, BC-DMT, CMA, LMHC, is a board certified dance/movement therapist, Certified Movement Analyst, licensed mental health counselor, Adjunct Faculty at Lesley University and dancer with Back Pocket Dancers intergenerational company. Since receiving her M.Ed. in Expressive Therapies with a major in dance/movement therapy from Lesley University, Donna has worked with children with physical disabilities, adults in acute psychiatric distress and in medical rehabilitation, and with senior adults in long-term care and Assisted Living residences. As an educator, supervisor, trainer and speaker, Donna’s work has focused entirely for the past 15 years on transforming the culture of care for people with dementia through dance and embodied caregiving. To motivate people with advanced dementia to engage with others through movement, Donna invented the Octaband®. She has co-authored numerous articles and published a training manual, The Dance of Interaction: Nonverbal Communication Training for Caregivers of People with Dementia, An Embodied Approach.
Bringing Dance to Older Adults and People with Dementia
Dance Therapy Program
Dr. Laurie Scherer, PsyD, MA, MS, R-DMT
Dance Education Laboratory (DEL)
Dr. Nyama McCarthy-Brown and Ann Biddle