We were lucky to catch up with Paloma Ladejobi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Paloma , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been bringing dance into senior living communities through DanzActive. While on the surface it may look like I’m just leading movement classes, it’s so much more than that. Each class is an opportunity to create joy, connection, and artistry with older adults—many of whom may not have thought of themselves as dancers before. Dancing together creates a space where seniors can express themselves, laugh, and share moments of vulnerability and celebration. These sessions often transform into powerful, emotional experiences, where residents light up with memories or discover new confidence in their bodies. Witnessing that transformation has been life-changing for me as well—it’s a reminder that dance is not only about movement, but about human connection, dignity, and joy at every stage of life.
My journey with DanzActive began with a deep belief that dance should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical ability. I have always been passionate about dance as an art form, but I felt called to take it beyond the stage and into spaces where it could make a tangible difference. When I first entered a senior living community to lead a class, I realized almost immediately how powerful dance could be in this setting. I saw residents who were reserved at first begin to open up, smile, and move with a freedom that surprised even themselves.
What makes this work meaningful to me is that it goes beyond teaching choreography—it’s about honoring the creativity, stories, and individuality of each person in the room. Many seniors have lived rich, full lives, and dance becomes a way for them to reconnect with those memories, while also creating new ones. The impact isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, social, and deeply human. That is why DanzActive is so important to me: it’s not only about keeping seniors active, but about giving them a space to express, to connect, and to feel alive through movement.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a former ballerina whose journey with dance has taken me across stages, countries, and cultures. After graduating in 2012, I pursued a career as a performer, but soon felt a longing to connect with dance in a deeper, more human way. That search led me to New York, where I encountered “Dance for PD,” a program in Brooklyn that opened my eyes to the power of movement as healing and connection. Inspired, I expanded this path by volunteering with Dancing with Parkinson’s in Toronto, Canada, where I eventually became an instructor, leading classes that transformed lives through movement, music, and community. When I later moved to the United States, I carried this passion with me and founded DanzActive, a program designed exclusively for residents in senior living communities.
Through DanzActive, I help senior living communities solve one of their biggest challenges: finding meaningful, engaging activities that go beyond entertainment and truly enrich the lives of residents. My classes bring joy, movement, and social connection in ways that support both physical wellness and emotional health—helping Life Enrichment Directors provide experiences that residents look forward to and talk about long after class ends. What sets DanzActive apart is the artistic approach I bring: I don’t just lead exercises, I create experiences that weave together music, storytelling, and dance, making every participant feel like an artist in their own right. Today, DanzActive serves over 15 communities in Houston and its surrounding suburbs, and every class continues to affirm my belief that dance is not only art—it is a bridge to memory, to wellness, and to the heart.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots I faced was in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost overnight, senior living communities closed their doors to outside visitors, and in-person classes were no longer possible. For a program like DanczActive, where connection and shared space are so important, this was a huge challenge. We quickly shifted to offering classes online, but it wasn’t easy—many seniors were not comfortable with technology at first, and even logging onto a virtual session felt overwhelming for them.
Over time, though, something amazing happened. With patience, guidance, and the support of their communities, residents began to adapt. Slowly, what once felt impossible became second nature, and they were able to continue dancing, moving, and connecting through a screen. What started as a difficult obstacle transformed into a new opportunity: suddenly, seniors could join classes even if they couldn’t leave their rooms, and we could reach participants in more places than ever before. What once seemed like a setback ultimately became another way to bring joy and connection into their lives—and a reminder of how resilient and adaptable seniors truly are.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is witnessing the magic that unfolds in the middle of a class. There is a moment—almost always halfway through—when I stop seeing individual bodies moving and instead see something deeper: souls dancing together. It’s as if the group merges into one, moving in unison, not because the choreography is perfect, but because the connection is so strong. In those moments, leading the class feels effortless, almost as though the dance is guiding itself.
What makes this possible is the power of music. Music acts as a bridge, helping residents understand the movement, feel the transitions, and connect emotionally to the choreography. It awakens memory, inspires expression, and gives structure to the dance in a way that feels natural and intuitive. When I see seniors not just following steps, but truly embodying the music and moving together as one, that is when I know we have touched something magical. That feeling—of unity, joy, and artistic expression—is the greatest reward of all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danzactive.co
- Instagram: danz.active
- Facebook: DanZactive
- Linkedin: Paloma Ladejobi