Tag: ballet

Innovate, Inspire, Dance!

Posted on by Max

Berkshire Pulse invites you on Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm to The Foundry for an evening of innovative & inspired dance created and performed by the 2023/2024 members of the Berkshire Pulse Young Choreographers Workshop and Young Choreographers Initiative

This program is a fundraiser for our Diane Pearlman Young Choreographers Initiative Scholarship.

Launched in 2023, this scholarship underwrites the Young Choreographers Initiative tuition for all students, as well as the senior choreography project, providing graduating dancers with the studio space, professional mentorship, and production support needed for the senior solo creative process. Choreographic exploration and process is an essential component of the Pulse Youth Performing Arts Program curriculum, incorporated into classwork beginning at age 6 and continuing with increasing intention as students progress throughout the levels.  

Can’t make the presentation? Support the Diane Pearlman Young Choreographers Initiative Scholarship here.

LEARN MORE & BUY TICKETS!

Come Shake Your Soul!

Shake Your Soul®

with Madeline Despres-Chen

Shake Your Soul® is a movement practice that relaxes the nervous system, energizes the body, and awakens the soul through a fluid dance repertoire set to music from around the world. All levels welcome!

Class typically begins with a Qi Gong warm up followed by movement sequences that help you connect with your fluid nature. The final portion of the class includes creative exercises that allow for individual expression, solo exploration, and moving in pairs or with the group. This class is about feeling and embodying, not about how you or your movement looks. Participants are encouraged to adjust any movement that is offered according to their own needs and level of comfort.

All Levels – Ages 18+ – 📆Thursdays – 5:30 – 6:30pm & 📆Fridays – 9:00 – 10:00am

SIGN UP TODAY!

Thank You Soul Steps!

This past Saturday, April 6th Soul Steps concluded their 3-week artist residency with Berkshire Pulse by teaching a step class and sharing excerpts of their work with our community. During their residency, the company reached approximately 70 students at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School, leaving a lasting impact on the students. We are incredibly thankful to the Soul Step artists for their care, energy, and inspiration, and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership next year. Thank you so much, Maxine, Destiny, Daisha, Brandon, and Mark!

The Word of the Year is…

Posted on by Max

Stretch it out with Yoga, Sign up for our Winter Intensives, and Spread Joy with us!

Each year, our teaching artists meet to brainstorm a word of the year. Back in August, they settled on “JOY.” As we enter 2024, we wanted to bring attention to this word. We want to hear from you! What’s something that brings you joy? Is it walking your dog? Spending time with family? Dancing at Pulse? Write it down on the big piece of paper in the hallway, and join us in having the most joyous year ever!

Person doing a yoga pose in front of a mirror

Yoga w/ Bethany Trozzo

It’s not too late to join! This weekly class series helps students explore their mind-body connection through foundational yoga postures, sequences, and breathing exercises.

Please bring your own yoga mat

Open to all levels! Ages 16+

📅 Tuesdays starting January 30th

🕕 5:45pm-6:45pm

Stay warm with dance this winter during one of our winter intensives!

Ballet Winter Intensive with Hillary Jackson and Vincent Brewer

for ages 11 to adult

 📅 February 23-25

Open to dancers enrolled in Ballet 2-4 and beginner/intermediate adults.

When Paths Cross: Contemporary Dance, Theater, and Soft Acrobatics with Fern Katz and Ricardo Paz

for ages 14 to adult

 📅 February 23-25

Open to dancers ages 14+ and intermediate/advanced adults.

Our Studios Are Buzzing with Summer Intensives!

Posted on by Jordyn Cormier

Summer Intensive season is finally in full swing! Here’s just a taste of what our jam-packed July schedule looks like: 

  • We are just wrapping up a fun, engaging, and challenging week of our Dance Discovery session.   
  • Our Hip Hop Intensive begins next week, which we couldn’t be more excited about. (Want to join? Scroll down for more info.) 
  • Our Contemporary Intensive starts on July 18th. Due to popular demand, we’ve decided to open up our Contemporary Intensive—as well as our August Ballet Intensive—to adults who are willing to commit to the entire program. If you’re interested, please feel welcome! 

Want to participate in any of our intensives? Click below to learn more and register!  

JOIN OUR INTENSIVES

SPECIAL OFFER!

Adult dancers (18+) can now join individual morning or afternoon classes from the summer Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip Hop/Street Styles Intensives!

This is a great option for adult dancers who can’t commit to a full day program, but crave a semi-intensive dance experience. Participants are required to commit to the daily class for the entire duration of the week or 2-week intensive. 

CHECK OUT THE CLASSES!

THIS SUNDAY! Authentic Movement Workshop

Sunday July 10th, 1-4:30pm

with Paula Josa-Jones

Authentic Movement is a meditative, intuitive, improvisational movement practice involving a mover and a witness. It is a practice of listening, attunement; slowing and opening to a deeper sensing of body and psyche. It was developed by dancer and psychotherapist Mary Starks Whitehouse, who, following her work with Carl Jung, became curious about moving without intention, or the practice of “waiting to be moved.” 

This simple meditation will provide the container for this workshop for both experienced movers and those who are new to this practice.

LET’S MOVE

STARTS NEXT WEEK! Hip Hop & Street Style Intensive

July 11-15th, 8am-3pm, ages 12-adult

Taught by Andres Ramirez, King Charles, Kelli Forman, and Jackson Whalan

In this week-long program, students will learn foundational movements and techniques of hip-hop and street style, alongside the cultural meaning and significance of these moves.

The program will create an encouraging space to try out what you learn (and, most importantly, show off your unique style and personality) while freestyling in daily cyphers. Styles will include beginner’s breaking, party grooves, and footwork. 

NOTE: The Celebration Jam and All-Styles Battle has been moved to Friday July 15th at 1pm.

REGISTER NOW

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Classes + Guest Artists!

MEET GUEST TEACHER – Daphne Zniemer

Daphne is teaching two classes this summer, starting July 13th:

Learn more about Daphne and each class by clicking below!

LEARN MORE + SIGN UP

NEW ON WEDNESDAYS – Intro to East Coast Swing

6-7pm, ages 16+

with Alex Bloomstein

This class is designed for people who have never taken a partnering ballroom class before. The class will introduce the participants to ballroom partnering and basic East Coast Swing steps. Students should sign up with a partner (or contact us if a partner is needed).

JOIN IN

*Photo credit for featured image: Susan Quinn

Berkshire Pulse