Therapeutic Dance Artist
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For the past 10 years, Sandra has taught and performed as a therapeutic dancer for special populations, including the frail elderly, mentally disabled adults, adults with developmental disabilities, and women in transition. Using her experience as a mental health professional, and dance techniques from in liturgical dance and middle eastern dance, Sandra’s work uses sustained patterns of movement, and lyrical phrasing to help promote relaxation, and relief of stress, tension, and anxiety. Using costumes, performance fans, and instrumental music selections, Sandra has danced for nursing homes residents and clients at Medical adult day care centers; at Easter Seals for developmentally disabled adults, and at inner city shelter serving adult women coping with addiction, mental illness, and domestic violence .
Sandra began her training in dance in her early twenties at The Sylvia Reynolds School of Dance in Ct., For the past 30 years, she has received training at various dance schools including:
The Joy of Motion Dance studio, Dance Downtown, The Melita Ursula School of Ballet, The Dance Project, The Westerly Center for the Arts, Sankofa Dance, and Northwest Dance Project as well as classes with The Mt. Vernon Ballet School and The Maryland Ballet School. Sandra was also a private student for two years with teacher and international performer, Artemis. Sandra is a 1989 graduate of the Summer Dance Program at the University of The Arts, and also a member of The National liturgical Dance Network, (Delaware Chapter.) She has also performed as a support dancer in 3 productions of The Nutcracker, and was one of the Women of the Court dancers in the 2002 production of Rigoletto with Baltimore Opera. Sandra has also performed solo liturgical dance pieces for the Light Street Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. In 2008, Sandra was one of the artists invited to perform in the Art of Healing Performing Arts Series at the prestigious Kimmel Cancer Center of Johns Hopkins Hospital.
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Joan Hart, Executive Director of Museum One, Inc., author of Through an Artist’s Eyes: Learning to Live Creatively, M.F. A. in art history, Syracuse University, NY |
Praise for the Dance
Sandra Falconer’s liturgical dancing is simultaneously moving, expressive, and spiritual. Watching her is an emotional experience. Her movement coordinates thoughtfully with the music. And Sandra herself is thoroughly engaged in the creation of her art… |
Sandra Falconer has brought therapy and relaxation to a group of women in recovery from breast cancer. Her dance is uplifting, bringing persons to a place within themselves of peace and wellness… |
The seniors and staff were very impressed with her knowledge of dance. She not only performed several dances, she also demonstrated the meaning of move. This was truly a learning and entertaining experience for all involved. Sandra Evans Falconer (Morgana) is very talented, and loves to share her gift with others…” |
Through poetry, movement, and dance, Sandra Falconer touches the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Sandra‘s thoughtful, graceful, and artistic interpretation of music through her dance captures its beauty and gives depth to its message. One is renewed and refreshed in mind and spirit by her inspiring gift. |