About Us
Our Story
Built on Evidence. Delivered Through Music.
Our bodies are designed to move, and life feels better when we do. PEARL Movements is New Zealand–born, emerging from PhD research with older adults in local communities. That work revealed a simple truth: many people do not continue prescribed exercises, even when they know they are beneficial. A one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work. If movement is to become part of everyday life, it must feel enjoyable.
PEARL was designed with this in mind. Shaped within the communities it serves, it reflects real preferences, contexts and lived experience. Classes vary. Music changes. Sessions adapt and evolve. The programme meets people where they are.
The ingredients remain the evidence-based foundations for strength, balance and posture that underpin New Zealand’s recognised falls prevention approaches. What shifts is how they are brought together — woven into music-led movement in ways that feel engaging and sustainable.
PEARL offers the same proven ingredients, prepared differently.
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Meet Francine & Jo
Dr Francine Hills, PhD
Dance Practitioner, Lecturer, Health Promoter
Francine was invited to Aotearoa to undertake doctoral research at the University of Auckland exploring the role of dance for older adults who fall, bringing together the worlds of health and the arts. She arrived with more than 20 years of community dance practice, most recently delivering the UK’s pioneering Dance to Health falls-prevention programme. The programme demonstrated a 58 percent reduction in falls over 56 weeks and was projected to save the NHS over 158 million pounds across two years, while significantly improving participants’ physical activity and wellbeing.
Her doctoral research in Aotearoa revealed a striking gap between knowledge and action: participants understood the importance of strength and balance exercises, yet most were not maintaining them over time. This insight shaped her focus on movement that people genuinely want to return to.
Having fallen in love with Aotearoa, Francine and her family made New Zealand home. Recognising there was no comparable dance-based falls prevention model here, she drew on both her international experience and local research to develop an approach grounded in evidence and shaped specifically for Aotearoa communities.
Jo Sanderson
Tech Lead. Musician. Ex Nurse.
Jo is part of the community PEARL was created for. Living alone in rural Aotearoa, navigating health realities within her family, she understands firsthand how difficult it can be to prioritise movement when energy, motivation and circumstances fluctuate.
With a background in nursing and a lifelong love of music, Jo brings both care and creativity to PEARL Movements. She works closely with Francine to shape the musical landscape of each session, ensuring rhythm supports confidence, flow and accessibility.
Jo also does the programme herself. Often intending to “just put it on for five minutes,” she finds she is still moving half an hour later. She does it in her living room, sometimes with her grandchildren; proof that you don’t need special equipment, extra space or perfect conditions to begin.
Jo helps ensure PEARL remains grounded, practical and real. We have designed this programme, not just for a community, but from within it.
We work with :
