Van Norton Li Community Health Institute
Generously supported by Kay Van Norton Poche AO, as part of the Forever Fund.
#Using dance as our tool, to enrich lives and positively impact the health and wellbeing of people throughout Queensland.
The launch of the Van Norton Li Community Health Institute signals our firm and steadfast commitment to community, health and access.
- Dance Health is an area of significant growth and research worldwide.
- Queensland Ballet is leading the way to develop this innovative pathway for change, with key programs generously supported by Queensland Health up to mid-2026.
- Our programs use the joy of dance, music and movement to motivate and provide personal and social connection, to positively impact the health of all who participate.
- Our Dance for Health programs are underpinned by research and health consultation, and are tailored to meet the specific needs of each participant group.
#Dance for Health
Dance for Parkinson’s
Research suggests dance can improve cognitive performance and reaction times, making it a useful treatment for a number of conditions, including arthritis, dementia, depression and Parkinson’s Disease.
Ballet for Brain Injury
A tailored dance program for people living with a brain injury, delivered in partnership with Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre and Citrine Sun Entertainment.
Dance for Seniors
Our classes for active adults are a great way to challenge the mind and body and make new friends who share a love of dance.
Dance for Arthritis
Delivered in partnership with Arthritis Queensland, Dance for Arthritis is an online group dance program designed to help Queenslanders living with arthritis increase their physical activity while having fun. Delivered as a 10-week program, each week participants join the class from the comfort of their own home with a Queensland Ballet Teaching Artist guiding them through an inclusive dance class. All classes are beginner-friendly and arthritis-friendly and foster a genuine community of participants who relish the improved strength, mobility, balance and social connections encouraged through the program.
Ballet Serene
Ballet Serene is a tailored ballet program for residents in aged care, that was developed in consultation with clinicians and aged care staff.
These predominantly seated ballet classes cater for varied abilities with a focus on sparking joy and connection, and offer participants the opportunity to express themselves, learn new skills, boost mood and can potentially awaken memory and engagement in participants with dementia.
For enquiries about Ballet Serene email our community team.
Dance Rehab
Dance Rehab is a new tailored dance program for individuals who are hospital in-patients.
Designed in collaboration with allied health staff, these classes complement existing rehab programs and add music, social interaction and fun to motivate movement and overall wellbeing. This program is delivered weekly at the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) Hospital in Brisbane, and is planned to expand to other hospitals soon.
For enquiries about Dance Rehab email our community team.
#Testimonials
25
local government areas reached in person and online annually
13,730
participants across Queensland annually
Tailored
programs created in consultation with health professionals
#Meet the Community and Education team
Zara Gomes
Director, Van Norton Li Community Health Institute
Lily Spencer
Head of Community and Education
Kath Cadd
Education Manager
Mimi Van Buuren
Community and Dance Health Manager
Lauren Sherlock
Teaching Artist and Community Specialist
Ally Champion
Dance Health Specialist
Performance Health
Queensland Ballet’s Performance Health team provides dedicated healthcare for our Company Dancers, Pre-professional Program students and upper level QB Academy students, ensuring dance-specific specialist treatment, management and prevention of injuries. Our Performance Health team help enable peak health, wellbeing and performance of our dancers, to maximise their opportunities to achieve their dreams on-stage and promote career longevity.
#Meet the Performance Health team
Michelle White
Head of Performance Health
Renee Meffan
Company Physiotherapist
Pedro Alcobio
Company Massage Therapist
Catherine Neal
Pilates Instructor
Melissa Tattam
Academy Physiotherapist
Michelle Istria
Academy Physiotherapist
Olivia Quinn
Academy Physiotherapist
Tony Lewis
Company and Academy Strength Coach
#Discover more
Dance classes
Explore our dance and fitness classes at the Thomas Dixon Centre
Support us
As a not-for-profit charity, it is the overwhelming generosity of our donors that enables us to enrich lives both onstage and off through the gift of ballet.
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