Maestro Dworkin Brings Music, Movement To Heritage Pointe Of Teaneck
By Mel Fabrikant Friday, October 23, 2009, 06:20 PM EDT
Heritage Pointe of Teaneck recently hosted a Conductorcise® class led by the creator of the program, World Renowned Maestro David Dworkin (at front). A long-time conductor, Dworkin retired from the music scene and now spends his days traveling around the world, leading groups in the alternative exercise class.
Created to mirror the movements of conductors, the program provides an invigorating upper body workout to classical music, including famous marches and waltzes.
After a warm-up stretch to “The Rites of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky, seniors at Heritage Pointe, inspired by Dworkin’s boundless energy, raised their batons and conducted to the recorded music. Classics such as "Stars and Stripes Forever," by John Phillip Sousa and "Infernal Galop," better known as “The Can Can Song” by Jacques Offenbach ,provided tempos for an energizing workout.
“The residents who attended continue to rave about how the Maestro had such great energy and love for music,” stated April K. Johnson, executive director of Heritage Pointe of Teaneck. “They enjoyed meeting one of music’s greatest conductors and speaking with him about their favorite songs.”
In 2008, the Conductorcise program was named one of North America’s six most innovative active aging programs by the International Council on Active Aging. The health benefits from participating in Conductorcise include relief from stress and anxiety, increased circulation and secured balance.
