Nonprofit hosts free day of dance for people over 50 in Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — A north suburban dance studio wants to help people over 50 get on their feet and discover the benefits of dancing.

From ballet to tap and modern, dance lovers over 50 chasséd, shuffled and shimmied on the floor on Sunday during the first free day of dance hosted by the nonprofit “Time to Dance” in Highland Park.

The nonprofit, which hosts dance classes for older adults and outreach performances, was founded by Dr. Lynne Belsky, a former Joffrey Ballet dancer turned physician, and Lisa Gold, the Director of the North Shore School of Dance, where the event was held.

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“We just do whatever we can to get people up and moving,” Gold said.

The two co-founders say the physical and psychological benefits of dance for older adults are immeasurable

“There’s research now that shows dance decreases the chance of falling and rate of cognitive decline and we found it also improves connection,” Dr. Belsky said.

120 people participated in the day of dance and there was even a waiting list to get in.

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