Voice Class for People Living With Parkinson’s
Sponsored by NextStage Productions and EASE PD
Taught by Jocelyn Lagier, Speech Language Pathologist via ZOOM.
Participants limited to 20 students living in Santa Cruz County (care providers welcome). The class is open to new and continuing students. This is not a drop-in class. Students are asked to commit to all classes in a session.
Fee: Participant cost is $30 for each 4-week session, or sign up for the full 8-weeks for $60. The balance of the cost for the program is being sponsored by EASE PD.
Spaces fill up quickly, so sign up soon. Please email Risa (risa@nextstagesantacruz.org) or Julie (jglorraine3848@sbcglobal.net) for registration forms or for more information.
Parkinson’s Speech & Movement Class
Amidst the Pandemic, we started a speech and movement class via ZOOM for people living with Parkinson’s disease. To our knowledge, we are unique in that we offered this class together, merging speech and rhythm, exercising the mind and body, while providing a platform of safety, community and the joy of learning, being supported, and feeling good about each and every new movement, new sound, new idea and achievement.
This was our second class for people living with Parkinson’s. In 2018 we started Taiko drumming classes, which have been a joyous success. And as this developed and grew, we looked at further modalities to help people fighting this often-devastating disease. In discussions with EASE PD, Inc. (Exercise, Activity, Support and Education programs specifically tailored for persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s) of Santa Cruz County, we decided that another important class we could offer would be to enhance speech and movement. And thus we built our program with the help of two wonderfully talented, compassionate and committed instructors, Jocelyn Lagier and Elisabeth Brown, each as interested as NextStage Productions and EASE PD in helping the Parkinson’s community, and fortunately for us, both were trained in techniques for those living with Parkinson’s. Jocelyn has a M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Elisabeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Further, both have LSVT-LOUD Training. In addition to the strength of our instructors and the commitment of NextStage and EASE PD, we are all a part of a program, a process, a drive to improve the quality of life of those we seek to serve.
It is as important to see the happiness and shared community we have created and are a part of, as to hear the loud AAH’s and see the rhythmic movement to the sway of music that spans the 60’s to the present, as we share the experience of improving not just the physical, but the emotional as well.
For those of us who teach, or volunteer, it is with gratitude that we are privileged to be on this journey.
Our programs are financially sponsored by NextStage Productions with the help of grants and donations. We provide scholarships to anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in Santa Cruz County. In addition to the classes, educational materials are provided and information regarding resources from The Parkinson’s Foundation are available, both locally through the Santa Cruz chapter, and nationally. We have been the recipients of grants from The Parkinson’s Foundation, Omega Nu, The Helpful Shop of St. John’s Episcopal Church, EASE PD and individuals throughout the country who have generously donated to help make these classes available. We also have our local angel, Harriet Mainis, who helped spearhead these classes through initial seed money and continued contributions for which we are so grateful. Due to these grants and gifts, no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Among the exercises and enhancement techniques offered are:
Speech Articulation
(Seated) Dance & Aerobics
Pitch, Voice & Articulation Therapy
Movement Therapy/Motion Training
Breathing Techniques
Posture & Voice
Education and Resources
Gait Strengthening
We welcome all inquiries, volunteers, donations and sponsorship support (please address these to risa@nextstagesantacruz.org).
Help make a difference with us.
