Dancing in the rain

New endowed scholarship honors Lloyd Mast’s legacy through movement

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SUMMARY: A new scholarship honors community member Lloyd Mast’s legacy through movement at JMU.


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.

 Three individuals participating in a dance class, with one dancer reaching upward while holding onto a chair for support.

A group of seniors participating in a seated exercise class, engaging in movement and stretching.

"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.

A group of elderly individuals participating in an interactive activity, pointing and engaging with one another in a studio setting.

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.

Lloyd Mast in a casual green t-shirts engaged in a conversation, with one person holding a violin.

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.”

A group dancing in chairs.

Group of people standing in a circle, engaging in a dance or movement activity in a studio setting.

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.

A person wearing a green t-shirt with the inspirational quote, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."

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.

Haley Tabor and Lauren Clingenpeel

Lauren Clingenpeel engages in a dance class, practicing their movements at a ballet barre in a studio setting.

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 certification. 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."

A group of individuals participating in a dance or movement workshop, showcasing a mix of ages and backgrounds.

Two women engage in a playful and expressive movement during a dance or movement class. One woman gestures with outstretched arms, showcasing joy and connection.

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.”

A group of people seated in chairs raise their arms during a movement class in a spacious studio.

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.

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by Jamie Marsh

Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

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