Dance Art for Seniors
“It’s not just about giving seniors the chance to dance, but recognising that they have something invaluable to offer the art form, even if they are not professional dancers.”
Contemporary Dance and Community for Seniors
Dance Art for Seniors is a community-based project by Susanna Leinonen Company that has brought together elderly people and contemporary dance since 2021. The project combines participants’ life experience and artistic expression with contemporary dance, creating new ways of making art together and staying active.
The project is part of the City of Helsinki’s efforts to support cultural participation among elderly residents and aims to promote meaningful, capable ageing.
Dance Art for Seniors offers seniors opportunities to move, discover new hobbies and create art together. It encourages physical activity and provides inspiration for everyday life, while also creating spaces for social connection and shared experiences that can help reduce loneliness.
Dance Builds Community and Breaks Down Barriers
Over the years, the project has taken many forms, including free contemporary dance classes and workshops, digital content, volunteer activities, and a variety of dance-related events.
Through its activities, Dance Art for Seniors enriches senior culture, challenges stereotypes around ageing, and places seniors at the centre of artistic practice. Through dance and community, the project supports wellbeing, health and quality of life. At the same time, it broadens the field of contemporary dance and brings performers to the stage who challenge conventional ideas about age and contemporary art, demonstrating that dance belongs to everyone.
A central part of the project has been the creation of dance pieces in which seniors perform alongside professional dancers. To date, four productions have been created:
· Juuret (2022)
· Arvo (2023)
· Satakieli (2024)
· Vain elämää, ei sen vähempää (2025)
The highlights of the project are dance works in which older adults share the stage with professional dancers. To date, four works have been created as part of the series.
A new work Rajatila will premiere in March 2026.
Experiences
- “It’s difficult to put into words what this project has given me, but I know it has given me far more than I ever expected.” - dancer, Satakieli
- “This project is extremely important. It’s wonderful that there is still belief in the idea that age does not define you - that no matter how old you are, you haven’t stopped being or living.” - dancer, Juuret
- “I’m amazed that at this age I can still learn completely new things and boldly do stuff I never imagined I could. For example, standing alone on stage in a spotlight in front of 200 people, without my glasses, barefoot - without shame.” - dancer, Satakieli
- “The need to belong somewhere does not disappear with age. In this group, that need is wonderfully fulfilled, and on top of that it offers a fantastic opportunity to discover the joy of movement. Although age was initially a factor in joining, as the training progressed it faded into the background. What matters are the people doing the work.” - performer, Satakieli
Media Mentions
Dancing as a Lifelong Profession – How Age Changes Our Relationship with Dance
Kulttuuriykkönen, 28 May 2025
Dance has long been seen as the domain of the young, with dancers expected to leave the stage by the age of 40. This is no longer the case. Older dancers are returning to the stage – and audiences have welcomed them.
What lies behind this shift? And how does age affect the experience and understanding of dance?
Featuring Susanna Leinonen, Alpo Aaltokoski and Nina Hyvärinen.
We Did It!
Rondo Magazine, issue 05/2025
Several dance companies have organised dance projects aimed at older adults. One of these was Vain elämää, ei sen vähempää by Susanna Leinonen Company. Journalist Raisa Rauhamaa, who danced when she was younger, took part in the project and shares insights into the working process from the inside.