Dance and Sing for Seniors!

Photo courtesy of Star News Group Wall, from “Melva Radcliffe turns 110” (March 11, 2011)

Dance and Sing for Seniors! is a fully seated, music-driven class designed for independent living, assisted living, long-term care, and adult day communities. Using familiar songs from the 1920s through the 1990s, Nicole leads simple, easy-to-follow choreography for people of all levels and abilities, offering a full-body workout that feels entertaining, interactive, and fun.

The core rule of Nicole’s program is: “If you stay in the rhythm, you’re still doing the dance” — whether you’re tapping your toes, swaying your shoulders, or simply keeping time in your chair. Each class centers joy, shared memory, and preserving every person’s dignity, not perfection.

Originally created in 2005 as Sit, Sing & Swing, this program was offered from 2005–2015 in more than 30 senior living communities across Monmouth and Ocean Counties and was featured in local newspapers, a Star-Ledger video segment, and a Touro University article highlighting its impact.

Dance and Sing for Parkinson’s!

Dance and Sing for Parkinson’s! is an evidence-informed, music-driven dance class for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Using a mix of seated and supported standing options, Nicole blends simple ballet, jazz, and Broadway-style combinations with Parkinson’s-specific cueing so participants can move bigger, easier, and with more confidence.

Each class weaves together:

• Cardio dance – continuous, music-driven combinations to raise heart rate in a safe, joyful way.

• Balance, agility & walking practice – multi-directional stepping, weight shifting, turning, and axial rotation, all adapted for different levels.

• Posture & strength – upright alignment, leg and core work, and barre-inspired sequences to support everyday movements.

• Stretching & cool-down – gentle flexibility work to ease rigidity and stiffness throughout the whole body.

The program is designed with the Parkinson’s Foundation exercise recommendations in mind, touching all four key areas (aerobic activity, strength, balance/agility, and stretching) and helping participants work toward the suggested 2.5+ hours of weekly exercise.

BIG for LIFE and PWR! Moves for people with Parkinson’s Disease

These small-group classes are designed for people living with Parkinson’s who want ongoing, evidence-informed exercise in a supportive, music-filled setting. Sessions include both seated and supported standing options so each person can choose what feels safest.

PWR! Moves Group Class:
Nicole integrates Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!Moves®) principles to target everyday movements with a focus on posture, weight shifting, axial rotation, stepping, turning, and walking. Class time blends:

• Aerobic activity and rhythm-based walking practice

• Strength work for the legs, hips, trunk, and postural muscles

• Flexibility exercises to counter rigidity and stiffness

• Balance, agility, and dual-task challenges that work the brain and body together

Nicole uses the four core PWR!Moves patterns in both seated and standing positions, and can make them simpler or more challenging so people with different symptoms can still work together in one group.

BIG for LIFE Maintenance Class:
As a BIG for LIFE–certified instructor, Nicole offers a maintenance-style class specifically for people who have already completed the full four-week LSVT BIG® protocol with a certified therapist. BIG for LIFE segments reinforce familiar BIG home exercises, walking practice, balance exercises, functional task practice, and self-cueing strategies to help graduates maintain and build on their gains.

BIG for LIFE sessions are available in person or via Zoom, providing a structured, rhythm-driven way for LSVT BIG graduates to keep practicing in community.

BIG for LIFE in this setting is a group exercise and maintenance class and does not replace individual LSVT BIG treatment.