We’ve Been Chosen for the Big Y Community Bag!

Throughout the entire month of April, each time you purchase a $2.50 Community Bag at the Big Y in Great Barrington, Berkshire Pulse will receive a $1 donation. This is a great way to support the environment while also supporting the accessible arts programming at Berkshire Pulse!

The Community Bags are located on displays around the store and at the checkout. Our goal is to reach 200 bags ($200 in donations), We are confident we can get there with your help!

Starting this Friday, tell your friends and family to grab a Community Bag or two while they’re stocking up on groceries.


Not One, But Two Upcoming Performances!

See some of our inspiring teaching artists perform new works at the Foundry in West Stockbridge this month!

This Friday, April 1st…

Qualia

New work by Fiona Scruggs

“Qualia” is a multi-piece work that illustrates the concept of qualia, which is defined as one’s own individual experience and consciousness. “Qualia” illustrates the cyclical and ephemeral nature of time, space, and energy and their relationships to our perception of transient experiences.

Research for this performance includes Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Memory (1931), Giorgio De Chirico’s metaphysical paintings, essays and articles expounding on the relationship between time and history, and the artists’ unique personal perceptions of time, space, and energy.

Next Friday, April 8th…

In the Crook of the Elbow

New work by Gillian Ebersole + Shannon Nulf

In the Crook of the Elbow asks the question “What is dance if not joy?” Choreographer and poet Gillian Ebersole joins with dancer Shannon Nulf to explore the intersection of movement, spoken word, and embodied delight.


REMINDER: April Break Is 4/16 – 4/22

All Youth classes are on break. Announcements regarding Community Classes will go out to individual classes.

Meet Our Spring ’22 Class Assistants!

With limited class sizes for the past two years, we are so pleased to to announce that our Class Assistants Program is back!

This spring, seven upper level students have volunteered to assist our teaching artists in their weekly classes throughout the season. This program is just one of the ways we support creative youth development—and we are so happy that it’s back in action!

Ready to meet our wonderful Spring 2022 class assistants?

Eva Sophia

Assisting: Intro to Dance

Hi! My name is Eva. I have been dancing for ten and a half years. I started dancing at Pulse when I was seven. My favorite classes are Jazz and Ballet. The thing I love the most about dancing at pulse is the welcoming community, they are like a second family to me.

Rubielle Nejaime

Assisting: Foundations

I am a senior at Berkshire Pulse, and have been a part of the Pulse community for eight years. Now, I have the pleasure to assist the Foundations class, while watching them find their artistic ability.

Maya Bergman

Assisting: Creative Dance and Tumbling

My name is Maya. I’ve been dancing for ten years and I’ve been a 

dancer at Berkshire Pulse for three years.

Lelia Belle

Assisting: Beginners Ballet and Ballet 1

I began my dancing journey in 2018 when I was eight with Intro to Dance Class and loved it, diving deeper each year in exploring the many classes Berkshire Pulse has to offer. I am happy to lend a helping hand and dancing feet to the studio!  

Lily Reynolds

Assisting: Creative Dance

Hi I’m Lily Reynolds! I’m a high school student and have been dancing for 13 years now. Can’t wait to see the growth in the students!

Cecilia Kitross

Assisting: Modern 1

I’ve been taking classes at Berkshire Pulse for 6 years, and I’ve been a part of the Young Choreographers Initiative since 2018. Right now, I’m assisting the Modern I class taught by Susan Quinn.

Liam Reynolds

Assisting: Modern 3

Liam has been dancing since he was 4 yrs old….and has now combined his love of dance and musical theatre. When he’s not in a studio at Berkshire Pulse he’s in rehearsals in NYC for a new adventure. 

Let’s Swing!

Get your jitterbug on in our new ballroom dance class, Intro to East Coast Swing!

Led by 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. The goal is to give participants the confidence to step out onto a dance floor with a partner, relax, and have fun dancing.

Classes start March 18th, and full six week participation is strongly recommended. Students should sign up with a partner (contact us if you’d like to take this class but don’t have a partner and we will pair you with one).

Ballroom Dance: Intro to East Coast Swing

Open level, ages 16+

Fridays, 6-7pm

March 18 – April 29


NEW: Creative Dance for Ages 4-6

with Sara Kiesel

Ages 4-6

Mondays, 3:45-4:45pm

April 4 – May 23

In addition to our Saturday classes with Erin, we’re adding a new session of Creative Dance on Monday afternoons! Led by Sara Kiesel, this class encourages the joy of movement and imagination through a playful and guided approach to shape, rhythm, balance, flow, and locomotor skills. Lively music, stories, and imagery are key elements of this class.

Learn more and sign your little one up here.


Upcoming Workshop: Broadway Jazz

with Ilana Ransom Toeplitz

Open level, ages 16+

Fridays, 6-7pm

March 18 – April 29

Ilana Ransom-Toeplitz’s Broadway Jazz Workshop is just around the corner—and it’s sure to be a fun, laughs, good time!

This one day workshop focuses on jazz style, technique, interpretation, and quality—with exclusive access to a “behind the scenes” look at what it’s like to work on Broadway. Designed to support students with all levels of experience, Ilana emphasizes work ethic, commitment, individuality and focuses on bringing the best out of each student.

The workshop is just around the corner—on April 2nd. Learn more and save your spot here!


Summer Intensive Registration Now Is Open!

Check out our ballet, contemporary, hip hop, Dance Discovery, and Rhythm Alive programs—it is shaping up to be a phenomenal summer already!

Berkshire Pulse