For many people, dance is something they enjoyed when they were younger. But what if dance could also help you stay active, improve your balance, strengthen your body and connect with others as you age?
That’s exactly what Life Moves Dance is doing for older adults across the Moreton Bay region.
Founded by experienced dance educator and community practitioner Julie Chenery, Life Moves Dance offers inclusive dance classes specifically designed for seniors, including those with mobility challenges, balance concerns or reduced confidence in movement.
The goal is simple: help people stay stronger for longer while having fun along the way.
Dance for Every Body
One of the biggest misconceptions about dance is that you need experience, coordination or a partner.
According to Julie, none of those things are necessary.
“Everyone is welcome. No prior dance experience is needed and no partner is required.”
Life Moves Dance classes are designed to be accessible and adaptable. Participants can take part standing, seated or using mobility aids where needed. Classes welcome active seniors, people recovering from illness or injury, and those who simply want a gentle, enjoyable way to stay moving.
The focus is on creating a safe, supportive and welcoming environment where everyone can participate at their own level.
More Than Just Exercise
While participants certainly gain physical benefits, the classes are about much more than movement alone.
Research has shown that dance can support healthy ageing by improving physical strength, balance, mobility, cognition, emotional wellbeing and social connection. The approach used by Life Moves Dance aligns with evidence-based practices that have been examined by researchers from the Healthy Ageing Unit within Sydney University’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Health. Studies have highlighted the important role dance can play in supporting healthy ageing and encouraging long-term participation in physical activity.
Julie has spent decades combining her experience as a dancer, educator, counsellor and community development practitioner to create programs that support both health and wellbeing. She now focuses her work on older adults and on training other dance teachers to safely deliver dance programs for seniors.
Classes also include a strong emphasis on falls prevention, helping participants build confidence, balance and strength that can support everyday independence.
Real Benefits for Real People
For many participants, the benefits are noticeable.
One local participant says:
“I enjoy the classes because of the way in which they have been structured to ease us and our bodies into reaching stronger physical movement. Ultimately, we have not only become stronger but our balance has improved with every lesson.”
Another participant shared:
“It has helped me enormously with my balance and my overall fitness. It’s a fun way to keep fit and also interact with other seniors. We dance to our abilities and can do it seated if needed.”
She also recalls a moment that reinforced the value of the classes:
“Recently I tripped but I saved myself and didn’t land on the floor. I was so happy and I attribute it to my dance classes.”
Stories like these highlight why so many older Australians are discovering dance as an enjoyable and sustainable way to stay active.
Building Social Connection Through Movement
As we age, maintaining social connections becomes increasingly important for overall wellbeing.
Life Moves Dance provides a regular opportunity for people to meet others, share laughter and enjoy a sense of community.
Participants aren’t just attending an exercise class. They’re joining a group of people moving together to music, learning new skills and forming meaningful social connections.
For many, that social interaction is every bit as valuable as the physical activity itself.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Dance and Community
Julie’s connection with dance began in childhood and has continued throughout an impressive career spanning more than four decades. She has worked as a dance educator, performer, choreographer, counsellor, community development worker and arts leader.
She served as the inaugural Executive Officer of Ausdance Queensland and has developed numerous community dance initiatives throughout Queensland. Julie later completed a Master of Counselling and spent many years working with young people using trauma-informed approaches before focusing her attention on dance for older adults.
Today she is Co-Director of Gold Moves Australia, an organisation dedicated to increasing access to high-quality dance programs for older people and supporting practitioners working in the healthy ageing space.
Sound Moves 55+: Bringing Dance to More Older Australians
Julie’s passion for making dance accessible continues through an exciting new initiative called Sound Moves 55+.
Launching in June 2026, the not-for-profit project aims to help older Australians participate in dance regardless of where they live or their physical circumstances.
Through online access to specially designed dance sessions, people will be able to enjoy the benefits of dance from home, within aged care settings or in over-50s communities.
The initiative is designed to support older Australians who may be geographically isolated or unable to attend face-to-face classes, ensuring more people can experience the physical, emotional and social benefits that dance provides.
Keeping Older Australians Stronger for Longer
Whether participants are active and agile or living with mobility challenges, Life Moves Dance offers a positive and enjoyable way to stay moving.
With an evidence-informed approach, decades of experience and a genuine commitment to inclusion, Julie Chenery is helping Moreton Bay seniors improve their strength, confidence, balance and wellbeing—one dance step at a time.
Life Moves Dance – Julie Chenery
📞 0408 779 373
Serving seniors throughout the Moreton Bay region and beyond through face-to-face and online dance programs.
