Tango Therapy Project

In 2024, the Tango Therapy Project (TTP) launched a one-of-a-kind Adapted Tango Pilot Program for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our pilot year was joyful and rewarding, and so many participants asked, “How can I keep dancing?” In September 2025, we launched Year 2 programming and opened a waitlist for our 10-week Fall Series. Moving forward, we aim to broaden and deepen our impact by expanding our programming to older adults and individuals with other motor and neurologic conditions, beginning with a pilot for post-stroke individuals in Year 3.

Your donation of any amount ensures we can provide world-class TUITION-FREE adapted tango programs, rigorous volunteer training, and transportation assistance so no participant is excluded by cost or circumstance. Your support doesn’t just open a dance class—it opens possibilities for independence, health, and joy that are backed by science and proven by testimonials from our participants, including:

“l hope and pray I will be able to dance in the future again with you.”

Specifically, in 2026, we will:

DONATIONS of any amount support everything from administration, training, program development, programming, evaluation, and documentation. Thank you for your support, well wishes, and interest in our work. If you would like to stay apprised of TTP’s activities, please subscribe to our mailing list via our website, www.tangotherapyproject.org.

With warm wishes for Thanksgiving and the coming holidays from the The Tango Therapy Project:

Carolyn Merritt, Co-Executive Director

Jocelyn Russell Wallace, Co-Executive Director

Rebecca N. Ichord, MD, Board President

Amy Yang, Board Treasurer

Mary Carmel Etienne, Board Secretary

Alexandra Pfister, Board Member

Huaou Yan, Board Member

Laurie Humphreys, Board Member

Sage Leland, Volunteer & Administrative Assistant

More on TTP

The Tango Therapy Project was conceived with the mission to provide therapeutic benefit, improve quality of life, spark joy, and promote social connection through Argentine tango. Inspired by scientific research demonstrating tango’s benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease, as well as individuals with other motor and neurological conditions, we aim to share these benefits more widely by bringing adapted tango programs to people who might not otherwise experience this unique art form.

Parkinson’s Disease and Adapted Tango

The second most-common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, PD impacts 10 million people globally and 90,000 more people each year in the U.S. While there is no known cure and medications may help combat symptoms, exercise is recognized as a vital therapeutic tool for people with PD, and in studies exploring the efficacy of various exercise regimens, adapted tango has performed as well as and sometimes better than other movement forms.

An improvised social dance based on hugging another person and walking, Argentine tango is accessible to people of all ages. Our adapted curriculum incorporates modifications designed for individuals with motor and neurological impairments. As a therapeutic tool, adapted tango is a moderate-intensity activity that offers practice in countless real-life skills, including many that prove challenging for people with PD. Just as important, adapted tango offers myriad quality of life benefits—including social engagement, community, safe physical contact—to participants and care partners. Adapted tango is a joyful, cost-effective means of supporting quality of life as we age, alongside the technological advancements and scientific discoveries that have made our longer lives possible.

In 2024, the Tango Therapy Project (TTP) launched a one-of-a-kind Adapted Tango Pilot Program for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In our first year of operations, we obtained certification in Adapted Tango Fundamentals with pioneering neuro-kinesiologist Dr. Madeleine Hackney; built a cohort of dedicated teachers and volunteers; brought tuition-free adapted tango classes to people with Parkinson’s and their care partners in Greater Philadelphia; and much more. Your donation of any amount will help us continue to support people with Parkinson's and other movement disorders through creative, cost-effective arts-based programming. Specifically, in 2025, we aim to:

DONATIONS of any amount support training, administration, program development, programming, evaluation, and documentation. We are thrilled to acknowledge donations of $300 or above with sponsorship benefits for our inaugural annual fundraising event, A Spring Soirée, on March 8, 2025:

Thank you for your support, well wishes, and interest in our work. If you would like to stay apprised of TTP’s activities, please subscribe to our mailing list via our website, www.tangotherapyproject.org.

With warm wishes for the holiday season from the The Tango Therapy Project:

Carolyn Merritt, Executive Director (Ph.D. Anthropology, author of Tango Nuevo)

Rebecca N. Ichord, Board President (MD, Pediatric Neurologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)

Amy Yang, Board Treasurer (Associate Director of Civic Tech Programs, BlueLabs Analytics)

Mary Carmel Etienne, Board Secretary (Assistant Dean & Director of Advising in the School of Arts & Sciences, LaSalle University)

Alexandra Pfister, Board Member (MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Penn Medicine)

Huaou Yan, Board Member (Attorney, Blank Rome LLP)

Kerry Kay, Board Member (Holistic Health Practitioner and Tango DJ)

Laurie Humphreys, Board Member (Tango Volunteer, Power for Parkinson's)

More on TTP

The Tango Therapy Project was conceived with the mission to provide therapeutic benefit, improve quality of life, spark joy, and promote social connection through Argentine tango. We are a group of Philadelphia-based dancers who are inspired by scientific research demonstrating tango’s unique benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease, as well as individuals with other motor and neurological disorders and mental and physical conditions. We aim to share these benefits more widely by bringing adapted tango programs to people who might not otherwise experience this unique art form.

Parkinson’s Disease and Adapted Tango

The second most-common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's disease (PD) impacts 10 million people globally and 90,000 more people each year in the U.S. While there is no known cure and medications may help combat symptoms, exercise is recognized as a vital therapeutic tool for people with PD, and in studies exploring the efficacy of various exercise regimens, adapted tango has performed as well as and sometimes better than other movement forms.

A social partner dance based on hugging another person and walking, Argentine tango is accessible to people of all ages and doesn’t require specialized physical training. As a therapeutic tool, tango is a moderate-intensity activity that offers practice in countless real-life skills, including many that prove challenging for people with PD. Adapted tango is a creative, cost-effective means of supporting quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and others, that also provides a safe environment for experiencing physical touch and forming meaningful social connections and community.