Moving Through Parkinson’s (MTP) was started as an extension of ongoing classes through the Music Therapy Program at Colorado State University. These classes offer guided exercises and support for community members living with Parkinson’s.
Founded by Lisa Morgan, MTP classes were developed for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Through exercises and movement patterns, we work to improve balance, combat stiffness and rigidity, and improve coordination and spatial awareness. Our goals are to build confidence to move with freedom and ease, acquire tools to use on a daily basis, build strength and endurance and, overall, to improve our well being as we interact, share and move together.
Lisa Morgan is a dance educator and movement specialist who has been working in the dance and movement education field for more than 25 years. She is on the faculty at Colorado State University in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. She is passionate about facilitating movement experiences for all ages and disciplines as a catalyst for learning, developing a greater sense of how our bodies move and function to support healing and well being. At CSU Dance, since 2000, Lisa has taught modern dance technique, choreography and now is focusing on Teaching Methods for Children’s dance. She is committed to expanding dance in our schools K-12 schools. She is involved in developing a Teacher Licensure program for dance educators as well as offering professional development opportunities for our Colorado pK-12 teachers.
She also coordinates the dance portion of BRAINY, a program designed to bring students from Title I schools to the University Center for the Arts to experience music, theatre, dance and visual art for a day. Lisa was the Assistant Director of IMPACT Dance Company, a contemporary modern dance company based in Fort Collins, Colorado from 1996-2016. She has worked with all ages, sharing the joy of movement and the therapeutic benefits of dance.
Thank you to Siobhan Elder for donating our beautiful scarves!
CSU Dance Student Interns
Maddy Kling began dancing when she was 5 years old and it quickly became her passion. At age 18, she began her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University studying Dance and Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). At CSU, she had the opportunity to perform in multiple pieces from guest artists, faculty, and student choreographers. Maddy has pursued experiences beyond her degree requirements including interning with Moving Through Parkinson’s, Education in Motion, Movement Through Motherhood, CSU Dance Lab, and was the president of HDFS club SOUL. After graduation, Maddy will be attending Drexel University where she will graduate with a Masters of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy.
Sindell Perez Fuentes is an undergraduate student at Colorado State University. Majoring in Dance and Integrated Visual Studies with a Concentration in Graphic Design. Her passion for dance began at the age of four and through out the years she has broadened her understanding of dance/movement by immersing herself in a variety of different styles. Sindell is pursuing different experiences related to dance, such as; being a part of the Dance Student Advisory Committee and interning with Lisa Morgan and Moving Through Parkinson’s. Through this internship she hopes to have a greater understanding of movement therapy and the benefits dance/movement can have on people of all ages.