Our Founder

Established in 2017, Dance4Wellbeing is one of Australia’s most innovative providers
for over 55s, delivering dance-based programs for health & wellbeing.

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Our Director and founder, Jessica Conneely BA Dance (Dist.) is Internationally renowned with over 30 years of performing, teaching, and educating others on the benefits of dance, by providing safety-conscious dance and movement programs for adults and older adults across Australia.

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Dance4Wellbeing's award winning programs support considerable scientific research showing that dance offers excellent results as we get older, by providing a mind and body workout in a socially stimulating and joyful way. Providing dance sessions in community locations, in aged care, and we supplement these with an alternative online program that is accessible to all across the country.  Dancing with friends via ZOOM  has allowed older adults to engage with like-minded people to improve their social life and reduce social isolation.

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In addition, Jessica has created an accredited training program for Health and Care professionals - Introducing Movement in a Health or Care Setting - a creative approach. The training is currently being re-structured for a hybrid offering provided in partnership with a registered training organisation and previously delivered with Hunter New England and Mid North Coast Local Health Districts, State Training Services, and TAFE NSW. 

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Jessica is also co -director of Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, producing creative programs in dance for people living with Parkinson’s disease, carers and the wider commmunity. Her extensive experience in working with residential aged care over 10 years has developed professional and engaging programs for older adults in care and those living with Dementia. Jess was former ESTEEM program Creative Arts officer for movement with an ongoing community research project for people affected by Stroke with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)

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Other involvement in research studies have included the Marks Brain Institute (creative engagement in aged care) Monash University ( Online Ciao project with multiple aged care providers ) University Sydney ( strength & balance study in aged care via dance- based program)

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Recognised nationally by her peers as an innovator in this field, Jessica received the Arts Leader Award at the Lake Mac Awards, 2021 & Excellence in Business Diversity and Inclusion, 2022 & nominated as a "local legend " from Awards Australia Foundation in 2024.

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Simply put, dance brings people together and “feels” good.