NOW in her mid-50s, Katrina Rank is considered a senior in dance.
A graduate of the Australian Ballet School, from 1984 Katrina performed professionally in Australia and the UK. Completing a Bachelor of Education in 1994, she moved into teaching and community dance.
Further study saw her complete a PhD and as she aged, she began working more with older people.
Understanding how fundamental being a dancer is to many people's identity, seven years ago she started her group Fine Lines in response to under-representation, lack of appropriate classes and performance opportunities for older dancers.
Noting that older dancers, and particularly women, are faced with discrimination and discouragement from serious dance, Melbourne-based Katrina wanted to challenge stereotyping.
"Very few older people have trained in dance; there weren't the same opportunities when they were younger as there are today," she said. "But it's becoming popular for people in their 50s, 60s and 70s to pick up dance classes.
"Older people have lots to contribute; they have stories to tell but they tend to be invisible. Dance is a great way to make them visible."
Katrina knows all too well how the years take a toll on the body. "I've had arthritis in both ankles since my 40s - it's affected my technical ability but not my creative ability.
"You modify what you used to do... but you can inspire and motivate older people and work with them according to their abilities."
Last year Fine Lines performed at the Melbourne Fringe. Katrina said it was a huge challenge and some were very nervous, but it proved a great success.
Katrina also teaches Dance for PD (Parkinson's disease), running classes in Hampton and Preston.
She said dancing has benefits for all seniors, including building strength, flexibility, stamina and balance, connecting mind to body and helping to forge a sense of belonging. "The main thing is that people keep physically active... the music, the fun of it all. People say 'We've worked quite hard - where did the time go?'
"Many are seated. It's amazing what you can do in a chair."
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