Harlequin sponsored RAD dance and well-being conference is a hit!

The three day ‘Dance and Lifelong Well-being’ conference, exclusively sponsored by Harlequin Floors, proved a huge success for all of the panel members, performers and high-profile visitors – which included President of The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Darcey Bussell. "Harlequin Floors was delighted to sponsor such an inspirational event,” said Mark Rasmussen, Group Marketing Manager for Harlequin Floors. “Over the three days we witnessed first-hand how dance can have such a positive impact on so many lives, from dancers with aspergers syndrome and autism to elderly and disabled people.” Combining interviews, presentations, panel discussions, demonstration classes and a live performance, the conference brought together leading experts in dance, health, community arts and education to explore the ways in which dance can enhance lifelong well-being – as recommended by leading health organisations. Highlights included an interview with Founder and Director of The Place, Robert Cohan, and the keynote address by Gillian Lynne, internationally renowned choreographer and RAD Vice-President. The event also presented a wide and varied range of perspectives on dance – the perfect demonstration of its universal and all-inclusive appeal. Presenters included Dance UK’s Erin Sanchez, Matthew Wyon, Professor of Dance Science at University of Wolverhampton and Carol Anne Millar, Principal Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. During the conference there were performances, presentations and discussions including Green Candle Dance Company’s‘Older Men Dancing’, a presentation on‘Working with Disabled Dancers’ by the Founder of Magpie Dance Avril Hitman, and panel discussion ‘Who Cares?: the health and well-being of professional dancers’with Harlequin’s Mark Rasmussen taking part. The conference closed with a celebratory showcase of dance by performers of all ages in a variety of styles, including pieces by Akādemi, Company of Elders, Dance United, Elmhurst School for Dance, Growing Older (Dis)gracefully and Step into Dance. Bringing together dancers, directors, teachers and health and safety experts from across the breadth of the industry, the ‘Dance and Lifelong Well-being’ shows Harlequin’s long term commitment to the highest standards of health, safety and performance. Image shows RAD's President, Darcey Bussell.

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