People in Motion is a dance program designed to address some of the major health concerns among seniors such as falls, depression, isolation, anxiety, and decreases in daily activity. Research has found that dancing improves strength and muscle function in older adults, as well as increasing balance and flexibility, leading to better stability and fewer injuries. A major concern for this population is the lack of access to programs that address these health issues. People in Motion offers dance classes to seniors to enhance health, wellness, and overall quality of life.
Melissa Turnage - Co-Founder
Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Graduate Certificate, Arts in Medicine, University of Florida; and National Center for Creative Aging Teacher Certification.
Ms. Turnage has taught dance for over 40 years to a wide range of ages, abilities, and to those who have physical and mental challenges. Presently she is an Artist in Residence with the Arts and Medicine Program at UAB Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Alabama. She teaches adult dementia patients, special population adults, and seniors. She taught creative movement and adult ballet at the Alys Stephens Center for Birmingham Southern College. While living in Baltimore, MD, she taught at Peabody Preparatory and was Director of Dance Education for St Paul’s Lower School. In Georgia, she founded Dance South and created a dance program for the Georgia Academy of the Blind.
Cynthia G. Brennan - Co-Founder
BA, BSN, RN
Ms. Brennan volunteers with the Arts and Medicine Program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Cynthia served on the faculty of the Alabama School of Fine Arts where she co-founded the dance preparatory program. She served as the administrator for the Alabama Ballet School. She has taught ballet at several dance studios on Birmingham and was a soloist with the Birmingham Ballet. She is a nurse and has worked in a private surgical practice, home health care, hospice, and at present works on the trauma team at UAB Hospital.