Dancing in the rain

Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, can make even the simplest movements—lifting a hand, tapping a foot—feel like an uphill battle. But dance changes that.

"Parkinson’s can make it feel like the body is working against you. But here, we try to turn that around– movement is not about limitations but about possibility and freedom," said Kate Trammell, JMU dance professor emerita and Dance for PD® certified teaching artist.

The approach is research-backed: Studies show that dance helps Parkinson’s patients improve motor skills, flexibility and coordination—all while boosting confidence and social connection. Classes are based on the Dance for PD approach developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group, which has programs in 250 communities in 30 countries.

Harrisonburg community member Lloyd Mast, who died in 2024, knew this firsthand. His wife, Donna, explained: “Parkinson’s is sort of death by a thousand paper cuts. Every day, every week, every month, every year, you’re facing loss of something—the loss of mobility, loss of balance, loss of taste, loss of energy. This class was always one activity we could do together—just go and enjoy.”

Mast wasn’t just a participant; he was a cornerstone of the community, according to Caraline Christie (’23), a former JMU student volunteer who is now a Dance for PD teacher. Through Mast, Christie discovered a passion for teaching dance as a form of therapy. “I remember thinking what a privilege I had to be able to dance alongside such a beautiful soul, and I knew I wanted to further my training from student assistant to teacher so that I could continue learning from amazing people like him,” she said.

Lloyd’s connection was so profound that his wife, Donna, created The Lloyd Mast Endowment to fund scholarships for JMU dance students. “The endowment directly funds students' training, helping to cover any in-person or online workshops or anything that is required. It’s a way to keep Lloyd’s legacy alive—not just in memory but in action,” she said. The t-shirts were designed and printed by Lloyd, using his favorite quote.

Lauren Clingenpeel and Haley Tabor are the first two recipients of the Lloyd Mast Scholarship. Both junior dance majors will spend the next year completing their Dance for PD training. Clingenpeel said she loves coming to this class each week: "I love seeing people moving, people exploring–even flaunting–what they can do. As a social work double major, I can see how dance can help so many people."

For Tabor, this work is deeply personal. “My adopted grandmother has Parkinson’s, so this is a way for me to give back to that community,” she said. “It’s also beneficial to me. All week, I’m in complex, hard-core dance training, but this lets me get back to the beauty of movement at its core.”

Lloyd treasured relationships with JMU volunteers like Clingenpeel and Tabor, according to Donna. “Lloyd loved talking with the students, hearing about their lives and studies, and he often went to their student dance recitals to support them,” she said. “When Lloyd passed, I reflected on what had brought him the most joy in his later years, and this was it. This was what he loved. The scholarship felt like a way to honor that and keep his joy alive for others.” Because of the Lloyd Mast Scholarship, new teachers will continue fostering the inclusive, compassionate community that Mast helped build.