The Italian organizations that jointly develop and promote the practice Dance Well – Research and Movement for Parkinson’s are launching a new call for Dance Well Teacher training nationwide.
Dance Well is an artistic dance practice aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, and takes place in artistically and/or culturally relevant venues. The practice consists of dance classes, offering a protected space for expressing creativity and beauty through the body, and is free for participants.
A process of transformation and construction of a national network has begun in April 2025, involving several organizations, resulting in the new Teaching Course 2026.
Coordinated by the CSC Casa della Danza of Bassano del Grappa, in collaboration with the Fresco Parkinson Institute, Casa di Cura Villa Margherita, and a multidisciplinary team of physicians and researchers specializing in Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, the network organizations:
Bassano del Grappa – CSC Casa della Danza / Municipality of Bassano del Grappa
Bergamo – Orlando Festival / Accademia Carrara / Summer Dance Festival / Allegra Brigata
Brescia – Brescia Teatro Grande Foundation
Castelfranco Veneto (TV) – University of Padua
Collegno (TO) – Lavanderia a Vapore / Piemonte dal Vivo Foundation
Florence – Fresco Parkinson Institute
Milan – Triennale Milano
Padua – Scuderie dell’Arte
Prato – Pecci Center
Ascoli Piceno, Macerata, Recanati, Pesaro – AMAT Marche
Reggio Emilia – FCR / MM Contemporary Dance Company
Rome – Parkinzone Association
Schio (VI) – Civic Theater Foundation
Terni – Teatro Stabile dell’Umbria
Verona – Arte3 Association
are launching a new call for applications, aimed at dance artists who wish to learn and develop their practice, thus becoming part of a national community active in various Italian cities.
WHO IS IT ADDRESSED TO?
The Dance Well – Research and Movement for Parkinson’s teacher training program is aimed at dancers and choreographers active throughout Italy.
TRAINING CALENDAR
The mandatory program includes artistic and scientific training and will begin in July 2026 and conclude by March 2027.
It will be led by dance artists Vera Borghini, Masako Matsushita, and Elena Sgarbossa, and will feature the interventions of a team of doctors (neurologists and physiatrists) and healthcare professionals (physiotherapists) for the medical-scientific component, as well as the staff of Casa di Cura Villa Margherita who will handle the hands-on component.
It is divided into:
- a first part in the digital space (approximately 8 hours of lessons via the Zoom platform in 4 appointments in July 2026)
- an intensive week including theoretical and practical lessons and viewing of live performances in Bassano del Grappa (August 22-28, 2026).
- in-person internship (see calendar below)
INTERNSHIP CALENDAR
Each student must complete a total of 5 teaching assignments, 3 co-teaching assignments, and 5 teacher support assignments by March 31, 2027.
- PART ONE: Practical sessions to be chosen from two periods: October 1-5, 2026, or November 12-16, 2026 (to be agreed upon individually with the organizers) in Bassano, Schio (VI), and Castelfranco (TV), and an in-depth study session at Villa Margherita (VI).
- PART TWO: It will be possible to complete the internship at other centers in the Italian network, through methods that will be agreed upon individually with each participant.
COST
The course costs €550, of which €500 must be paid into the account of the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa (IBAN IT50M0200860165 000003497481 – Comune di Bassano del Grappa) with the reference “DANCE WELL TEACHING COURSE” by June 30, 2026. The remaining €50 will be paid at the Festival Box Office on August 22.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
By May 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM
To register, please complete the online form here.
You must attach a CV and cover letter.
NOTIFICATION OF SELECTED PARTICIPANTS
May 29, 2026
The selection will be made by members of the Dance Well Italia network.
For further information, please contact the offices at 0424 519804
or send an email to comunicazione.festival@comune.bassano.vi.it
For further information, please visit www.operaestate.it/en/dance-well – www.dancewell.eu
