Our Team

Virginia Belt co-founded Dance for Parkinson’s Oregon in 2012. She danced professionally with American Festival Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet Theater, and Duluth Ballet. A multi-discipline artist,  has directed “Much Ado About Nothing” for Portland Actor’s Ensemble, acted in “Labyrinth of Desire'' for Teatro Milagro, and choreographed “The Oldest profession” for Profile Theater. With a Business and Theater degree from the University of Idaho, Virginia has worked as Educational

Outreach Coordinator for Tygre’s Heart Shakespeare Company, taught as adjunct-professor of dance and acting for Willamette University, and artistic directed Willamette University Dance Concert and Shakespeare to Go’s programs. In 2023, she founded The Purple Umbrella to produce dance and theater works locally and abroad. Her first sponsorship of the new musical “Woven”  was a critic’s favorite at the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland.

Diedre Jolley Smith serves as Program Director, Dance for PD Oregon, leading initiatives that harness the transformative power of dance for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. In this role, she oversees program development, instructor training, and community engagement, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible dance experiences. Diedre studied Dance and Choreography at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and attended Interlochen Arts Academy. With her husband Aaron Nigel Smith, she co-founded FUNdamentals of Music and Movement, a fun approach to music and dance for young children. Diedre has served as Director of Operations for One World Chorus and Costume Supervisor for the California Dance Institute. In addition to leading Dance for PD classes throughout the Portland area, Diedre teaches donation-based community classes at The Portland Ballet, designed for dancers of all ages and abilities.

Aaron Nigel Smith is the Music Director for Dance for PD Oregon. His work with the organization includes curating and providing musical accompaniment for our classes and programs.  Aaron Nigel Smith is a Grammy® nominated producer and Billboard #1 recording artist who has performed throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. He is also a featured musical guest and composer for the Emmy Award-winning PBS Kids show Between the Lions. Aaron has produced 16 albums on his label Aya World Productions, garnering multiple NAPPA, Parents' Choice, and American Library Association awards, along with recognition by NPR, People Magazine, USA Today, and The New York Times.

Aaron is an educator with 20 years of experience designing arts curricula and community events. In 2009, he and his wife Diedre formed the non-profit 1 World Chorus with the mission of promoting peace and empowering youth through the arts. More than 15,000 youth in Portland, Los Angeles, New York, Kenya, and Jamaica have participated in 1 World Chorus programs.

Since 2022, Aaron has served as Education and Community Programs Manager at The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, launching several signature initiatives including Arts for Healing, Musical Playground, and Kids' New Year's Eve. Aaron proudly endorses REMO drums and Martin Guitars.

Brynna Hurwitz, MAT, RYT, began her career as a dancer and
choreographer at Reed College, where she started the Jazz Dance
program. Brynna studied with Virginia Ryan (Ballet), Armgard Von
Bardeleben of the Graham School, Conrad Pringle (Alvin Ailey) and Janet
Towner (Weidman technique) among others. She has taught Movement
Arts for over 30 years to students of all ages and abilities. Her
choreography has appeared in Paris, Reed College, University of
Washington, On the Boards in Seattle, and numerous other venues. Recent
performances include Heidi Duckler’s Open Space Sequence (Fall 2024)
and The Bolero at Ballroom Parkrose (Spring 2025).
Brynna is a Certified Yoga and Yoga for Seniors Instructor, Exercise for
Parkinson’s Disease Specialist, Fall Prevention Specialist and Brain
Longevity Therapist ™. She currently teaches Dance for PD, Yoga for PD and Movement for Brain and Body Health in the greater Portland area.