Rachel Balaban is a dancer, teaching artist, and maker. She's committed to helping people access their vitality and health through movement and to making dance accessible to all populations. In 2013, Rachel founded Dance for All People (DAPpers), a multigenerational dance program designed for people with movement challenges and aging bodies. She is Teaching Associate and inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the well-being and personal/professional development of medical students, residents, fellows, and other learners. Through a diverse range of art-based initiatives, she works collaboratively with the Assistant Dean of Well-Being and other stakeholders to help the medical school community flourish. 

From 2013-2022, Rachel was co-founder and co-director of Artists and Scientists as Partners (ASaP), with Julie Adams Strandberg, at Brown University. ASaP was a 2 semester academic program exploring the impact of the arts on people with neurological disorders, specifically Parkinson’s disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to teaching, she focused on the connection between community members and undergraduate students, coordinating academics, research, and arts programming.

Rachel presents and leads movement workshops for schools, faculty, foundations, corporations, conferences, community centers, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. When Rachel isn’t dancing, you’ll likely find her swimming, sailing, paddle boarding, walking her dog, biking, practicing yoga, or playing with her grandchildren. Being in motion, with her family, and in community with others is what brings her the most joy.

Advisory Team

Julie Adams Strandberg is distinguished senior lecturer at Brown University and founding director of dance in the University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies.

Gregory Youdan Jr is a visiting research scholar at Brown University, adjunct lecturer at Lehman College, and research scientist specializing in dance for health programs for people with neurological conditions.

Miranda Olson is a researcher in the Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at Brown University School of Public Health with a focus on delivery and implementation of complex interventions.

Helene Miller is Organizer of The Partnership for Providence Parks, Recreation Centers and Streetscapes (P3) in Providence, RI.

Barbara Guillette, a semi-retired physician, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 and has participated in DAPpers classes since 2016.