TORONTO — Helen Winkler, leader of Move’n’Mingle, an international folk dance program for adults and teens with developmental delays, gets as much out of the program as her students.
Adults and teens with developmental delays kick up their heels at their weekly dance program, Move’n’Mingle.
“It is so rewarding for me to take my hobby, and see the positive effect it has on people,” she says.
Held at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, the program is co-sponsored by the BJCC, Reena and Yachad, an organization that brings together young adults with developmental disabilities and their peers.
Winkler has been involved with international folk dance for 30 years and has taught international and Israeli folk dancing for the past 27 years.
With a strong interest in the dances of Jews of eastern Europe, she maintains a website – www.yiddishdance.com – dedicated to the revitalization of these arts.
She is a member of the Performing Arts Educators of Canada’s international folk dance division, she’s on the steering committee of the Ontario Folk Dance Association, and she’s a member of the Yiddish Dance Action Network.
Winkler, whose 21-year-old daughter has Down syndrome and dances in the troupe – members range in age from high school students to people in their mid-60s – said that for the purpose of the program, she simplifies the movements and slows down the music.
“I extract from the dances what I think will work well.”
She said that some dancers come with helpers, and a couple come in wheelchairs.
Members enjoy both the dancing and the socializing, Winkler said. “It helps their self-esteem when they get out and learn a new skill and make some new friends.”
She said the troupe has performed at Reena and at last summer’s Kinus Conference, and she would like to schedule further performances. “The dancers feel good when they see the response they get.”
The next program, which is set to begin March 19, is open to new members. For information, call Teme Kernerman at 416-636-1880.
