Gail Hewton

Gail Hewton is Director RIPE Dance and Co-director Gold Moves Australia. Gail is a passionate Community Dance Practitioner working exclusively in dance for older people leading classes, workshops, performances, projects and dance experiences. Gail has 40+ years professional dance experience including as a dancer, choreographer, educator and producer.

Gail has extensive dance teaching and leading experience including in primary and high schools, universities, professional dance companies, private dance studios and community. Gail has choreographed professional contemporary dance works for Expressions Dance Company; Ballet Theatre of Qld; The Cherry Herring and others; and community events for South Bank Parklands; John Aitken Productions; Toowoomba Hospital Mental Health; Drama Queensland; to name a few.

After several years working in high profile arts and event management including as Co-director & Producer Welcome Ceremony at World Masters Games; Program Manager at Brisbane Powerhouse; Producer at RiverFestival and Brisbane Festival; and Director at Noosa Longweekend Festival; in 2012 Gail returned to teaching and leading dance, establishing RIPE Dance (because dance Really Is Possible for Everyone!) to focus on bringing the joy and many benefits of dance to older populations.

She successfully works with active and agile over 55s, aged care residents with and without dementia, and people living independently with mobility challenges due to ageing issues, ill-health, surgery or particular conditions such Parkinson’s.

Gail’s work is underpinned by a relational approach, and whilst it is foremost about dance it has major health & wellbeing considerations and allows participants to experience dance in a fun, safe, welcoming and supportive environment.

Gail completed the introductory training in Dance for PD® in 2013. In 2016 Gail co-programmed and co-facilitated the first national Advanced Teaching Training for teachers of dance for Parkinson’s. In 2017 Gail received Ausdance Queensland’s Osmotherly Award for her contribution to dance education as well as receiving an RADF grant to assist the creation of In A Different Space, a film showcasing seniors 60-101 years dancing their stories (screened at 21 national & international events and festivals). RIPE Dance received the Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for Film or New Media 2018 and was a finalist for Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance 2018. Gail was awarded an Arts Queensland grant to travel to the UK in 2018 to investigate dance for older people. Gail was the project consultant for Ausdance Victoria’s 2017-18 research project Leading and Teaching Dance to Ageing Populations. 

In late 2018, Gail established GOLD Moves Australia with Julie Chenery to progress the field of dance for older people by offering training, mentoring and advocacy. In 2021 they presented at 3 major national health conferences advocating dance for older people for health & wellbeing including Occupational Therapy Australia; Australian Association of Gerontology; and Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society. 2022 will see the launch of their online training course and they continue to offer in-person CPD workshops.

Gail is now Noosa based after making the sea change from Brisbane in 2007.

A free online festival exploring living with Parkinson’s and Quality of Life Approaches to creative ageing across communities. An interactive, accessible online gathering to share information, participate in workshops, and build network connections. It will include dance, music, art activities and research presentations. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dance for Parkinson's Australia.

brisbane
May 19 2023 To May 20 2023

A free online festival exploring Quality of Life Approaches to creative ageing and living with Parkinson’s. An interactive, accessible online gathering to share information, participate in an online dance class, and build network connections.

Oct 31 2022 To Oct 31 2022

Join us for a day of events led by Australian teaching artists and community members to celebrate 20 years of Dance for PD®. Plus check out the other great offerings around the world and around the clock. 

Australian events hosted by Dance for Parkinson's Australia will run from 10:30am AEST - 6pm AEST.

All events are free & online.

Brisbane
Apr 30 2022

A free online festival exploring Quality of Life Approaches to creative ageing and living with Parkinson’s. An interactive, accessible online gathering  to share information, participate in workshops, and build network connections. It will include dance, music, art activities and research presentations.

Brisbane
Oct 27 2021 To Oct 28 2021

Arts Ablaze was a conference and celebration of regional arts in Queensland taking place at Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley on Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 October 2019.

Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley
Oct 02 2019 To Oct 04 2019