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ZEST Classes

ZEST classes are movement classes designed for adults who want to keep their body and brain active and healthy, regardless of their mobility, skill or age.

We start sitting on a chair, with options to stand and travel. No previous dance experience is necessary. 

Feed your body and spirit with music and movement, be physically and mentally inspired and stimulated, have fun, meet new friends and feel good!

These classes are taught by a team of highly experienced and dedicated dance artists,  who will  guide you through a carefully planned program of dance activities.

Dance is a unique vehicle, naturally combining multiple approaches to movement and exercise, building confidence and an improved quality of life. 

Term Dates 2023

For ZEST classes following school terms

Term 1: Friday 27 January - Thursday 7 April
Term 2: Monday 24 April- Friday 30 June
Term 3: Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September
Term 4: Monday 9 October - Friday 15 December

Classes at Hughes and Greenway View continue through the school holidays.

SPARK

SPARK is our newest class. Designed specifically for people living with Dementia, SPARK is supported by Dementia Australia and funded by a private Canberra donor who had dementia herself - Dilys Ketley.

On 6 February 2023 Philip Piggin and Dilys's daughter Merle, talked to ABC Radio's Georgia Stynes about the class.

Listen here 

See 'ZEST classes' for information about SPARK. 

KIPPAX UNITING CARE COMMUNITY ACTIVITY VOUCHERS

We are delighted to announce that the KIPPAX UNITING CARE HEALTHY AGEING program is proudly supporting the ZEST program, and will cover the cost of any persons keen to attend, who are financially challenged. You just need to be over 50.

The form is available from Kippax Uniting Care. Alternatively email at ZestDWB@gmail.com or choose a ZEST class to come to and collect a form from the teacher.

The program is supported by the ACT Government.  Thank you Kippax Uniting Care!

ZEST dancers performing at the National Portrait Gallery for I-Day 2021

Photo: Art Atelier

Some comments from previous and current participants of 
ZEST Dance for Wellbeing classes

“I look forward to each class - the highlight of my week”

“I come and feel I can dance without judgement, just enjoy the experience”

“Very affirming to do something I can do – but would not have thought I would ever do”

“You have bought the love of music and movement back into my life…..My health is improving too”

Kathy, who comes to the Friday class at Belco Arts, holding a tea towel produced in the 1950's. 

In term 3, 2022, we focused on music from the 1950's.

ZEST Classes around Canberra

 

Photo: Lorna Sim

Unless otherwise stated, all classes are open to members of the community. No bookings are required. 

Mondays, 10.30-11.30am - Dance & Exercise for Wellbeing
The Clubhouse, The Henry Retirement Village
94 Fullagar Cres, Higgins
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms

Mondays, 3.00-4.00pm - Dance for Wellbeing
The Clubhouse, Goodwin Village Farrar
22 Marshall St, Farrar
**For residents only
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms

Tuesdays, 9.45-10.45am - Dance for Wellbeing
Greenway Views, 260 Soward Way, Greenway
$10 per class, includes coffee afterwards
Sign in at the front desk
Runs throughout the year except for public holidays and over Christmas

Tuesdays, 11.00-12.00pm - Dance for Wellbeing
The Clubhouse, Goodwin Village Crace, 20 Galore St, Crace

$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms

Tuesdays, 11.30-12.30pm - SPARKS Dance for people living with dementia 

Weston Neighbourhood Hall, Hilder Street, Weston

$10 per class; carer if required, is free
Starts 7 February for 9 weeks, then runs for 10 week terms
For further information and to register, contact:
Catherine Tippett, Dementia Australia
Phone: 6255 0628 OR 6255 0722

Email: Catherine.Tippett@dementia.org.au
This program is supported by Dementia Australia, and the estate of the late Dilys Ketley

Tuesdays, 1.15-2.30pm - Dance for People with Parkinson’s
Belconnen Arts Centre, Emu Bank, Belconnen
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms
This class is supported by The Hospital Research Foundation – Parkinson’s

Tuesdays, 1.30-2.30pm - Dance for Wellbeing 
presented by the Rotary Club of Gungahlin
Eastlake Gungahlin Club, 51 Hinder St, Gungahlin
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class. Class followed by light afternoon tea
Runs for 10 week terms
This class is supported by Argyle Housing, Kippax Uniting and Gungahlin Arts

Wednesdays, 10.30-11.15am - Dance for Wellbeing 
Community Services #1, 63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah
Seated class followed by morning tea. Runs throughout the year except for public holidays and over Christmas.
Please call Cheryl for bookings and to discuss eligibility on 6126 4746

Wednesdays, 11.15-12.30pm - Dance for People with Parkinson’s
Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed St, Greenway
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms
This class is supported by The Hospital Research Foundation – Parkinson’s

Wednesdays, 3.00-4.00pm - The Groovers
The Grove, 1 Monty Place, Ngunnawal
For residents, family and friends only
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms

Thursdays, 11.00-12.00 noon - Dance for Seniors living with Dementia
**Runs on the last Thursday of the month
Primrose Services, Uniting Church Hall
58-60 Scrivener St, O’Connor
For further information and to register, contact:
Vanessa Elliott, General Manager, Primrose Services
Phone: 0437 957 841
Email: vanessae@primroseservices.com.au

Fridays, 10.00-11.00am - Musical Moves for Seniors
COTA Hall, Hughes Community Centre, Wisdom St, Hughes
$10 per class. Pay cash at the door
Runs throughout the year except for public holidays and over Christmas

Fridays, 10.30-11.30am - Dance for Wellbeing
Villaggio Sant' Antonio, 35 Burkitt Street, Page
**For residents only
For further information phone: (02) 6255 1794,  or email: gm@villaggio.com.au

 

Fridays, 12.00-1.00pm - Dance for All
Belconnen Arts Centre, Emu Bank, Belconnen
$100 for 10 week term or $12 per class
Runs for 10 week terms

Term dates

ZEST term dates run parallel to ACT school terms. 
The dates for 2023 are: 

Term 1: Friday 27 January - Thursday 7 April

Term 2: Monday 24 April- Friday 30 June

Term 3: Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September

Term 4: Monday 9 October - Friday 15 December

Payment

Term payments can be made via cash or EFT (details available from the teacher)
For single classes, please pay cash to the teacher 

ZEST Team

The ZEST Team are:

• Philip Piggin
• Jane Ingall
• Jacqui Simmonds
• Debora di Centa

Philip Piggin

A member of the ZEST team, Philip is also a Co-Director for Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, a member of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, and a Co-Director for the GOLD company at Canberra Dance Theatre.  He has worked as a dance artist/educator in the UK and Australia, specialising in the community and education sectors, was Dance for Wellbeing Officer at Belconnen Arts Centre, Development Officer for Ausdance ACT and Manager of Canberra Dance Theatre.  In 2014 he received a Churchill Fellowship to research dance programs for people with Parkinson’s and Dementia, and in 2016 received Life Membership from People Dancing, UK. (Photo: Rob Kennedy)

Philip's qualifications include: BA UNSW; Grad Dip Education UNSW; Teacher’s Certificate NSW Dept of Education; Cert IV Workplace Assessment & Training Aus School of Com & Mmt; Dance for Parkinsons Advanced Training DforPD USA.

Jane Ingall

With a love for connecting people with the dancer in themselves and the possibilities revealed in movement, Jane’s approach to dance encourages anyone, no matter their age, ability or dance experience. As an Occupational Therapist Jane’s understanding of human movement informs her dance work. She has been teaching and choreographing dance for people with Parkinson’s since 2014, including performance work such as I used to run marathons; and has been part of the Dance for Wellbeing program in the ACT since its inception. Jane is Artistic Director of Somebody's Aunt, an ensemble of older women creating dance in the Canberra region since 2005. With Canberra Dance Theatre Jane is Co-Director of GOLD, the over 55s company of dancers. (Photo: Leigh Campbell) 

Jane's qualifications include: Dip Occupational Therapy Sydney; BA Anthropology ANU;Grad Dip Movement and Dance UniMelbourne; Dance for Parkinsons Advanced Training DforPD Aus.

Jacqui Simmonds

Jacqui has been teaching dance for over three decades, primarily in the tertiary education sector, and more recently in the community. Her classes are informed by a comprehensive understanding of the body in movement and of the elements of dance. Jacqui has taught in Belco Arts’ Dance for Wellbeing program since its inception in 2017, enjoying assisting participants to discover the pleasure they can have through dance as well as the benefits it offers. Jacqui works for Canberra Dance Theatre as Artistic Director and Co-Artistic Director of CDT’s GOLD Company. A qualified Iyengar yoga teacher, she teaches at Canberra Yoga Space. (Photo: Lorna Sim)

Jacqui's qualifications include: BA(Dance) SACAE; MFA UniIllinois; Cert IV Training & Assessment Plenty; Dance for Parkinsons Advanced Training DforPD Aus.

Debora Di Centa

Debora is a Canberra based independent dance artist. She has extensive dance training and is an expert in Chronological Studies (Laban Movement Analysis). Debora graduated at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London. Since then she has collaborated with many artists and institutions around Europe, US, Asia and Australia.

In 2016 Debora joined the Dance for Well Being Program at BelcoArts Centre now transformed into ZEST! She trains professional and emerging-professional dancers and collaborates in projects with Independent Artists and Institutions. Debora is currently working for Ausdance ACT as Project Officer. Her motto is “Dance for All!”.

Debora's qualifications include: Cert Academic Ballet Teaching Associazione Insegnanti Danza Accademica; Dip Dance Studies TrinityLaban; Dip Choreological Studies TrinityLaban; Dance for Parkinsons Advanced Training DforP Aus.

Other dance classes for seniors around the ACT

Canberra Dance Theatre's GOLD classes 

Mondays at 10.30am and Thursdays at 10.30am. 

For people 55 years and over, these classes are designed primarily for people who are able to move independently and without mobility aids. No prior dance experience is necessary but a sense of humour and community is advised. Working primarily through contemporary dance technique and creative work, the focus is on fitness, mobility, sociability and creativity. 

For more information: canberradancetheatre.org

Dance for Wellbeing in Yass

This class started in April, 2023 and is led by Kiri Morecombe, a colleague of the ZEST team. 

Thursdays, 2.30-3.30pm
St Clements Hall, 20 Church Street Yass 

Classes April -  15 June are FREE!
$10 per class after this date, bookings via this link: events.humanitix.com/dance-for-wellbeing-yass
Dance for Wellbeing in Yass is supported by Southern Tablelands Arts, Dance for Parkinson’s Australia and the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation.

Want to keep dancing at other times?

Many ZEST: Dance for Wellbeing classes were recorded during the 2020 Covid lockdown. These are available on the Belco Arts Centre website.

Our Supporters

Thank you to all of our supporters - we can't offer these classes without you.

Thanks to Ausdance ACT for providing support and guidance, and assisting us in managing our finances. 

                                                     

Thanks to The Hospital Research Foundation Group - Parkinson's, and Belconnen Arts Centre for providing financial assistance, and to Belconnen Arts Centre and Tuggeranong Arts Centre for providing complimentary access to their beautiful dance studios for our classes. 

Belco Arts, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and Ausdance ACT are supported by the ACT Government.

                                                  

 

Thanks to Kippax Uniting Care and the ACT Government for including ZEST classes in the Community Activity Voucher Program.

                                              

Thanks to all our venues for providing complimentary access to the wonderful spaces in their facilities in which we hold the ZEST classes. 

Thanks to Canberra Dance Theatre for supporting Zoom classes.