In a quiet Urbana studio, at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts, a gentle piano music filled the room as participants of the Dance for People with Parkinson’s class slowly made their way in.

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - In a quiet Urbana studio, at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts, a gentle piano music filled the room.

Participants of the Dance for People with Parkinson’s class slowly made their way in. Each one, sitting in a chair waiting to begin.

“Okay class, now let's bring our awareness to our feet,” instructor Laura Chiaramonte encourages. Some students sway slowly, others move with steady rhythm, but all do so with intention, turning small steps into meaningful movement.

For people living with Parkinson’s, classes like these are more than just dance — they offer therapy for both body and mind.

“Dancing and moving the body is such a wonderful way of healing,” Chiaramonte said.

Instructor Kate Insolia added, “I always look around the class to see what brings them joy.”

Through mirrored exercises and music, participants engage muscles often affected by Parkinson’s, improving balance, coordination and mobility.

Parkinson’s disease affects more than 1.1 million people in the United States. Nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed each year. 

Monique Oyallon, a student battling Parkinson's, remembered the moment she first noticed changes in her body.

“I realized something was wrong because I was trying to dance and I couldn’t make my circles fast enough,” Oyallon said.

Despite these challenges, Monique, and the rest of the class, continued to move, showing resilience and determination.

“To witness individuals move with the music … it’s extremely special," Chiaramonte said. Small movements in class help rewire the brain and strengthen muscles, while also restoring an essential element of health: joy.

Bernie Koloski, Monique’s husband, acknowledged the emotional weight of Parkinson’s.

“It’s painful to watch somebody that you care about be hit by something that you can’t do anything about,” Koloski said.

Insolia emphasized the value of community: “It does get sad. It is so important to be together, as we all are going to have these moments in our lives, every single one of us.”

Though dance cannot cure Parkinson’s, the class offers participants something equally powerful: moments of happiness and connection.

“It’s an art. And there’s joy inside that,” Chiaramonte said. Insolia added, “That music helps move you.”

Monique smiled as she reflectd on the class: “It’s wonderful the way they work together … maybe all this dancing is doing something!”

Through movement, music and community, participants reclaim not just physical mobility, but also joy in everyday life.

To learn more about classes and upcoming dates, click here.

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