Let's Dance: How dance supports well-being throughout life's journey

Name: Let's Dance: How dance supports well-being throughout life's journey
Start: 2026-04-12T10:00:00-03:00
End: 2026-04-12T16:00:00-03:00
Location: FireLoch

Schedule

Sun Apr 12 2026 at 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

UTC-03:00

Location

FireLoch | Antigonish, NS

Join us for a free, fun, interactive, and educational day with guest facilitator Dr. Rebecca Barnstaple to learn about the science of movement, art, and health.
What happens in the brain when we dance? How does rhythm and motion weave itself into memory, mood, and meaning? This immersive one-day workshop brings the fascinating neuroscience of movement out of the lab and into the living body.
Open to curious minds in the morning and deepened for working dancers and educators in the afternoon, Let’s Dance offers something genuinely rare: research-grounded insight paired with practical wisdom you can carry into every class, studio, and community space you inhabit.
Morning Session – Open to the Public (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Begin your day with a captivating overview and discussion by Dr. Barnstaple on the neuroscience of dance — how movement shapes neural pathways, supports emotional regulation, and enriches wellbeing across every decade of life. The talk will be followed by a demonstration class that invites everyone to feel the science in motion, regardless of experience level or movement capacity.
Morning Includes:
- Facilitated talk on the connection between arts and health with a focus on dance
- Demonstration class with live music — all bodies, abilities and experience levels welcome
Lunch (Provided for Full-Day Attendees)
A nourishing lunch is included for those attending the full day — a chance to breathe, connect with fellow attendees, and arrive refreshed for the deeper work of the afternoon.
Afternoon Session – Dancers & Educators (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Designed specifically for dancers and teachers who use movement in their curriculum, the afternoon dives into the questions that arise in the field — the ones that don’t have easy answers. Dr. Barnstaple will guide attendees through small-group work, surfacing real challenges and weaving strategies, solutions, and shared practitioner wisdom into a rich “knowledge stew.”
Afternoon Includes:
- Small-group work addressing real-world challenges from the field
- Advanced tools and strategies for practitioners
- Improvisation
- Live music
About the Facilitator
Dr. Rebecca Barnstaple (PhD Dance Neuroscience) is an Assistant Professor in the School of English and Theatre Studies, College of Arts at the University of Guelph, where she leads the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health, and Wellness program. Her research focuses on the biological dimensions of participation in cultural activities, with a specialization in dance.