Empowering Women Through Art and Healthcare Education: A Unique Dance Collaboration

In the vibrant world of dance, creativity often thrives amid challenges. On October 19, 2025, our dance company, Larga Vista Dance, faced this reality firsthand. Despite a sudden and severe injury that sidelined a dancer and choreographer, we embraced the situation. We had to adjust our "premiere" to a "work in progress," and still our performances turned out to be nothing short of inspiring.

The company's theme, "empowering women through art and healthcare education," resonated deeply with our performers and audience alike. Our collaboration blended the beauty of dance with essential messages about women's healthcare education in the topics of perimenopause/menopause, musculoskeletal health, pelvic floor/diaphragm health, and mental wellbeing.

Sunday, October 19, 2025 - 4:30 pm show, NYC, Arts On Site

We envisioned our shows with a clear focus and choreography. However, as the injury affected our dancers' staging and the choreographer's initial vision, we knew adaptability was crucial. Our choreographers and dancers came together, making significant changes to their routines, all while capturing the spirit of our theme, empowering women through art & healthcare education.

This journey revealed a vital lesson: art transcends mere perfection. It is about expression, resilience, and growth. The professional dancers infused their performances with passion, transforming struggles into creative opportunities. For instance, founder Adelita Hinojosa-Martin, who originally performed intricate moves, adjusted them to accommodate her limitations, resulting in innovative choreography that still expressed our core message. Additionally, choreographer Miho Ryu stepped in to perform her piece alongside dancers Roxanne Young & Alexis Borth. And sarAika movement collective swiftly adjusted a trio into a duet with dancers Lana Hankinson & Roxanne Young.

Collaborating with Healthcare Experts & Gathering Personal Stories

One of the most exciting aspects of our performance was Larga Vista Dance's collaboration with healthcare providers—experts in women’s healthcare, including perimenopause/menopause, mental wellbeing, pelvic floor/diaphragm health, and musculoskeletal health.

The healthcare professionals & experts provided evidence-based information for the workshops, professional dance warm-up & met with the choreographers to share valuable insights. In addition, the choreographers connected with patients, gathering personal stories about their healthcare journeys. These narratives became the foundation of our dance pieces—infusing authenticity into each performance. Sharing these stories through dance fostered a dialogue around women’s healthcare, showcasing the resilience of women while making these conversations relatable. For instance, Miho Ryu's piece illustrated a woman's journey through perimenopause/menopause, transforming struggle into a powerful expression of strength and acceptance of self.

The Performance Day

The culmination of our hard work and collaboration came on performance day at Arts On Site in Manhattan, NYC. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. As the audience settled in, we were ready to unveil our "work in progress," honoring the junction of art and healthcare.

Founder Adelita Hinojosa-Martin, a nurse with over 20 years of experience, and co-choreographer Ali McClellan, dance movement therapist, took the stage to introduce the program. They emphasized the significance of women's healthcare education and shared how the project came about. On the program, Adelita provided resources on the four key topics: perimenopause/menopause, musculoskeletal health, pelvic floor/diaphragm health & mental wellbing. This blend of performance and education created an engaging experience, allowing the audience to connect with our message on multiple levels.

The Impact of Our Collaboration

Feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed personal resonance with the performances and appreciated the emphasis & resources on women's healthcare education. People shared they were moved to both laugh and cry. It was heartwarming to see how art sparked conversations about crucial health issues, empowering women to take charge of their health.

Our collaboration with healthcare professionals and patients not only elevated our performances but also fostered a sense of belonging. We created a community where dancers, choreographers, and healthcare experts could share their knowledge and experiences. One attendee even reported planning to book an appointment to seek medical advice for a health issue after attending the performance.

A Commitment to Ongoing Education

At Larga Vista Dance, we believe that our journey extends beyond a single performance. We are committed to fostering our partnership with healthcare providers to develop further workshops and educational resources. Our goal is to continue empowering women through art and healthcare education, making a lasting impact in our community.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the possibilities for future collaborations that merge creativity with vital health topics. For our dancers, we will continue to provide evidence-based warm-up routines and healthy snacks at every rehearsal, to ensure our dancers not only perform their best but also prioritize their health and wellness.

Meet Our Team

Our journey would not have been possible without the extraordinary team of experts, choreographers, and professional dancers who contributed their talents to this project. Notable individuals involved include:

• Arleen Sugano

• Dr. Iris Platt

• June Rivera

• Chantel Bermejo

• Kara Govoni

• Grace Veras Sealy

• Dr. Chloe Godwin

• Max Stone

• Miho Ryu

• Soles of Duende

• sarAika Movement Collective

• Alexis Borth

• Lana Hankinson

• Roxanne Young

  
  

Every team member brought unique perspectives and expertise, enriching our project and helping us fulfill our mission of empowering women through art and healthcare education. Learn more about our healthcare professionals here.

Looking Back and Forward

Reflecting on our experiences on October 19, 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the resilience of our dancers and the support from our healthcare partners and community. This journey showed us that, even in the face of challenges, we can create something beautiful and meaningful.

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of empowering women through art and healthcare education. Together, we can inspire change, foster creativity, and promote the importance of women's health.