Mr Piggin, who now resides in Canberra, is a dedicated dance artist, teacher and director of almost four decades. His career has taken him all over Australia and the world through performance, production of major community projects and teaching in a wide range of educational and community settings.
A 2014 Churchill Fellowship led him to focus on sharing the joy, human connection, health and wellbeing benefits of dance with seniors and people with a range of physical and cognitive challenges.
Mr Piggin initiated the innovative Dance for Wellbeing Programs in Canberra, he is co-director for Dance for Parkinson's Australia, a member of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council for the aged, and co-director for the award-winning GOLD company dance group for seniors. In 2016 he received Life Membership from People Dancing, UK.
Mr Piggin, who graduated from Corowa High School in 1970, will be recognised for his many years of work in the dance/arts field by Corowa High School at the School Presentation Day this Thursday.
“It’s all a bit amazing,” Mr Piggin said.
“I’m so excited. I guess I see it as a wonderful statement that the Corowa community places on the role of the arts in our society.”
While returning to Corowa to receive the award, Mr Piggin will conduct the Dance for Wellbeing workshop at the Corowa RSL Club on Friday.
Mr Piggin told the Free Press that the class is designed for mature aged adults who want to keep their body and brain active regardless of their mobility, skill or age.
“We start the class seated in a circle of chairs. It’s really about making it accessible to all mobilities. Some of the classes I do here in Canberra, are tailored especially for people with Parkinson’s Disease,” he said.
“Halfway through the class we then progress to standing activities and then activities travelling around the floor.
“The class is structured so that if you prefer to stay seated throughout the class, if that’s what your legs are telling you, then that’s fine.
“We start each class by saying ‘dance with the body you bring today’ appreciating that some days you’re feeling on top of the world and other days not so much. Each person is encouraged to go for their personal best.”
The Dance for Wellbeing workshop will commence at 10.30am on Friday December 16 at the Corowa RSL Club.
For more information contact Anne Ovens 0437 212 449 or Annie Piggin 0403 287 412.
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