Dancing with Gratitude

Thank you for being a part of what makes Pulse so special – the people that bring our studios to life.

We are especially grateful for our team of Teaching Assistants. Each week, they share the love of dance with others. We are so grateful for their dedication and wanted to highlight a bit more about them!

Maya Bergman

Headshot of Maya Bergman

I have been dancing at Berkshire Pulse for 4 years, but I’ve been dancing since I could walk. I love working with younger dancers to help them express themselves. I’m really looking forward to this year at Pulse!

A fun fact about myself- I love snuggling with my two dogs, Hazel and Maggie!

Megan Linick

Headshot of Megan Linick

At Pulse, I enjoy all of the wide variety of classes and abilities. I feel that it allows me to be exactly who I am as a dancer.

Fun Fact: I lived in Florida for 15 years and moved to the Berkshires about a year ago.

Rubielle Nejaime

Headshot of Rubielle Nejaime

Rubielle has been dancing at Pulse since she was 11 years old. She is now continuing her training at Berkshire Pulse to prepare to enter the dance field and audition for Dance BFA programs for this upcoming year. She is delighted to be assisting Susan Quinn in the Young Choreographers Workshop and Fiona Scruggs in Ballet 1.

A fun fact about Rubielle is that her favorite style of dance is contemporary.

Cora Pacheco

Headshot of Cora Pacheco

Cora assists Creative Dance!

Liam Reynolds

Headshot of Liam Reynolds

Liam assists Modern 3!

Lily Reynolds

Headshot of Lily Reynolds

Hi I’m Lily! I have been a dancer at Berkshire Pulse for 4 years now alongside my 3 other siblings. I have been an assistant for the fall and spring season this past year, and I also assisted for the summer intensives as well. 

Molly Welch

Headshot of Molly Welch

Molly Welch (they/she) grew up in Dallas where they attended the Dallas Ballet Center for 15 years. They studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and lyrical. They were a teaching assistant while there and went on to teach Musical Theater dance in their summer workshops for the next 4 years. They attended Booker T. Washington HS for the Performing and Visual Arts, where they split their studies between theater and dance.


Support our Teaching Assistants and Tuition Assistance programs today.

Dance with Us This Week

We’re excited to host another African Dance Workshop with Nkoula Badila this Wednesday, November 9th at 5:45pm!

Learn different Traditional Dances of Ancestral Africa, accompanied by live percussion. This class is open to all levels, ages 11+.

Learn more and register here.


Dance Foundations is Back

A group of young dancers in a studio carry colorful scarves. Two dancers are in motion running toward a wall with windows while the other dancers line up in the corner and watch.

This dynamic class is for dancers ages 8 to 10 to build a basic understanding of traditional modern and ballet dance technique. 

With joy and exploration at the heart, dancers will learn improvisational techniques, basic principles of rhythm, movement quality, musicality, and alignment! Class runs on Mondays from 4 to 5pm, starting November 7.


Learn Chicago Footwork

A dance shot of Kelli Forman in an alley. Her legs are crossed and she pulls her left elbow up while looking toward her right hand reaching to the ground.

OPEN LEVEL WORKSHOP

with Kelli Forman

📅 Friday, November 18
🕓 4 to 6pm

Curious about Chicago Footwork? Watch a video of Kelli here.

Open to all levels; ages 12+


Move, Write, and Draw

Elizabeth Heller sits in a bright room with colorful space decorations. A group of adults and kids sit around with craft supplies.

Created by Elizabeth Heller, ERYT-200, Super Journal is a FREE mindfulness, movement, and journaling class for teachers and parents to provide them with an opportunity to recover from stress and learn wellness tools.

Sessions are ongoing at libraries in Housatonic, Lee, and Sheffield!


Share the Joy of Pulse

There are still two weeks left to vote for Berkshire Pulse in the Rural Intelligence Readers’ Choice Awards!

Vote by visiting RuralIntelligence.com/ReadersChoice. Voting runs until November 14, and you can cast your vote every day. For voting instructions, visit the homepage.

Meet New Pulse Staff Members

Berkshire Pulse has new staff members! You might recognize their faces around our studios.

Joining the team this fall are our new Administrator Shannon Nulf, and Marketing/PR & Curriculum Coordinator Gillian Ebersole. Check out our staff page to learn more.


Vote for Pulse

It’s time for the Rural Intelligence Readers’ Choice Awards!

Berkshire Pulse is nominated in multiple categories, including Best Nonprofit, and our Artistic Director, Bettina Montano, is nominated in the category of Person Who’s Contributed Most to the Region.

Help us win by visiting RuralIntelligence.com/ReadersChoice to cast your vote! Voting runs until November 14, and you can cast nominations every day. For voting instructions, visit the homepage of our website.


Upcoming Workshops

OPEN LEVEL HIP HOP WORKSHOP
with Dashawn Davis

📅 Friday, October 28
🕓 4 to 6pm

Open to all levels; ages 12+

AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT
with Paula Josa-Jones

📅 Sunday, October 30
🕐 1 to 4:30pm

Open to all levels; ages 18+

AFRICAN DANCE WORKSHOP
with Nkoula Badila

📅 Wednesday, November 9

🕠 5:45 to 7:15pm

Open to all levels; ages 11+


Super Journal is Back

Move, Draw, and Write to Boost Your Best Self

Created by Elizabeth Heller, ERYT-200, Super Journal is a FREE mindfulness, movement, and journaling class for teachers and parents to provide them with an opportunity recover from stress and learn wellness tools. 

Sessions start November 3 at libraries near you! 


Take a peek inside our studios!

Taekwondo with the Martial Arts Institute of the Berkshires began their fall classes in our studios this week. The space feels alive with movement and breath from our Youth Performing Arts Program and Community Classes.

Don’t miss the upcoming opportunities in this post – we hope to move with you soon!


Groove with Dashawn Davis

Open Level Hip Hop Workshop

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 28!

Pulse is hosting the first of our monthly workshops in Hip Hop and Street Style dance. Join Dashawn Davis from 4 to 6pm. Open to all levels; ages 14+.


Dance with Luana

Latin Dance Shines

at Simon’s Rock

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:15pm beginning October 25
Ages 16+

Take an in-depth course on Salsa and Samba at Simon’s Rock. In this class, you’ll learn to identify rhythms, develop movement from Salsa and Samba steps, and progress into a choreography true to the original rhythm.

Can’t get enough? Luana’s Zumba class at Pulse starts Tuesday, October 25, at 1pm! Register for Zumba here.


Practice Authentic Movement

with Paula Josa-Jones

October 30 at 1pm
Ages 18+

Authentic Movement is a meditative, intuitive, improvisational movement. In this workshop, you will practice listening and attunement; slowing and opening to a deeper sensing of body and psyche. Give yourself the gift of this somatic and meditative experience!

Move with us for FREE this October!

Things are picking up at Pulse this fall! With our Youth Program and Community Classes in full swing, we are excited to share some special opportunities with you.

Scroll to read more about October events (including some FREE chances to dance with us).

FREE Events in the Housatonic Park

HOUSATONIC PARTY IN THE PARK
129 Front St, Housatonic
Saturday October 1 from 11am to 3pm

Come learn more about Pulse’s fall programming, try out East Coast Swing Dance, and visit other local vendors at this FREE block party. We’ll be selling SoCo ice cream as a fundraiser, so stop by to get a scoop!

AFRICAN DANCE WORKSHOP
With Nkoula Badila
Wednesday October 5 from 5:45 to 6:54pm

Learn different Traditional dances of Ancestral Africa, accompanied by live percussion in this outdoor FREE workshop.

This opportunity is made possible by the South Berkshire County Fund Better Together


FREE Events for Housatonic Residents

COMMUNITY BOXING GYM

at the Housy Dome

Beginning October 3rd, this special program brings Genève Brossard of Berkshire Boxing to the Housy Dome on Mondays and Fridays from 4 to 6pm. This program is open to anyone from 8th grade to adults, with priority going to youth registrants.

FREE for Housatonic and Great Barrington Youth!

YOGA

with Erin Naylor

Whether this is your first or 200th class, you’ll feel right at home here! Join us on Wednesdays from 6-7pm, and bring a mat, blocks, strap and anything else you like to use when taking a yoga class. 

FREE for Housatonic Residents!


Classes Starting in October

DANCE FOR BOYS

Thursdays from 3:45 to 5pm
Starting October 6
Ages 10-14

Here’s a chance to jump, turn and soar! This class introduces boys, and male identifying persons, to the athletic and artistic skills required in dance training. 

CREATIVE DANCE

Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:30pm
Starting October 19
Ages 4-7

This class inspires the joy of movement and imagination through a playful and guided approach to improvisation, shape, rhythm, balance, flow, and locomotor skills.

Join us for our first week of classes!

Classes for our fall session are officially in full swing!

It’s not too late to sign up for our Youth Program classes—and drop in to try one of our Community Classes for movers of all ages and levels.


Welcome to our New Teaching Artists


Authentic Movement Workshops

Authentic Movement is a meditative, intuitive, improvisational movement practice. This fall, we are hosting a series of workshops for both experienced movers and those who are new to this practice. 

Join Paula Josa-Jones for the first workshop on September 18!


Don’t Miss SIX Pulse Teaching Artists Perform

September 23 at 7:30pm
The Foundry West Stockbridge

This show brings together Berkshire-based dancers and performers – Veronica Bone, Gillian Ebersole, Molly Hess, Fern Katz, Shannon Nulf, and Fiona Scruggs– all with works answering the question “What are you celebrating?” What emerges is a series of works focused on resilience, perseverance, and triumph.

This event supports local artists and venues and is a part of ArtWeek Berkshires.

Time to Sign Up for Fall Classes!

Registration for our fall classes is officially underway. Check out our new Youth Performing Arts Program schedule—and don’t miss out on our freshest Community Classes

Get excited—classes start September 12th!   


Can’t Wait to Start Dancing Again? Try This… 

3 Day Ballet Jump Start Youth Program

with Fiona Scruggs and Emily Hildebrand

for ages 10-18

This program offers students who are new or returning to Pulse the opportunity to resume training with 3 consecutive afternoons of classes just before the Fall session begins. Previous dance experience is required.

2 CLASSES AVAILABLE:

Advanced Beginner, ages 10-12

Tuesday 9/6 thru Thursday 9/8

4-5:30pm

with Fiona Scruggs

Intermediate+, ages 13-18

Tuesday 9/6 thru Thursday 9/8

4:30-6pm

with Emily Hildebrand


And Make Sure to Check Out Our NEWEST Classes!

These classes are available for the first time ever!

🎤 The Art of Rap (Ages 10+)

Learn how to rap with Jackson Whalan and explore verse writing, freestyling, and collaboration techniques.

🎸 Rock Band Camp (Ages 11+) 

Turn your rockstar dreams into reality with Jeffrey Howard. Calling all drummmers, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, vocalist—level up your playing skills and let’s play together!

🎭 Musical Theater for Teens (ages 12-18)

Work on songs and learn to use the body and voice for healthy acting and singing with Wendy Welch.

🎭 Musical Theater for Adults (ages 18+)

Love to sing? Explore the fun and freedom of singing through a healthy vocal technique, breath and connection to the material with Wendy Welch.

💕 Dance for the Special Child (ages 6-9)

With deep respect for the journey of the child whose perceptions and abilities are getting in their way​, Sara Kiesel offers therapeutic movement classes​ ​that develop skills in communication, behavioral skills management, and social/emotional interactions. 

🕺🏽 Vitamin D (ages 14+)

Vitamin D is a choreographed fitness class with Jessica Mahaney for ANY BODY that wants to shake a tail feather!

💃🏽 Latin Dance at Simon’s Rock (ages 16+)

Join Luana Dias David and discover the rhythms and movements from Salsa and Samba steps—progressing into a choreography true to the original rhythm.

🥊 Community Boxing Gym (8th graders to adults)

*FREE for Housatonic + GB youth*

Genève Brossard’s fun class focuses on improving fitness and learning all the elements of boxing training; practicing punch combos, footwork, jump-rope tricks, mitt work, and conditioning.

The Fall Schedule Is UP!

See what exciting classes we have planned for this fall! Fall registration opens on August 29th and classes officially begin on September 12th.


Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Flamenco Workshop!

A Taste of Spain

with Joanne Bockemuehl-Jackson

Looking for some fun activities to close out the summer? Come dance Flamenco with us! We’ll be offering two separate classes in this special two-day workshop:

INTRO TO FLAMENCO DANCE FOR KIDS + ADULTS

August 27 & 28, 9:30-10:45am

This is the perfect opportunity for you to bring JOY to your summer while having fun dancing with your friends and families. This workshop is an introduction to flamenco dance and will offer you a taste of movement typical for Flamenco dance.

Kids (7+) are welcome to join you taking the class together.

We will discover how to move, to listen and how to clap in style of Flamenco. This dance has the magic to connect to yourself in the moment and express your personality in dance. No previous dance experience and no partner required. Bring shoes with heel or sneakers.

FLAMENCO DANCE WORKSHOP

(For adults only with previous basic knowledge)

August 27 & 28, 11:15-12:30pm

This workshop is perfect if you have already taken Flamenco classes before and need to refresh and get inspired. This class will focus on technique that will be mounted in a little choreography. Flamencos hoes are recommended but not required. Adults only.


Start September with a 3 Day Ballet Jumpstart…

Jump Start Ballet Program

with Fiona Scruggs and Emily Hildebrand

for ages 10-18 

This program offers students who are new or returning to Pulse the opportunity to resume training with 3 consecutive afternoons of classes before the Fall session begins. Previous dance experience is required.

Tuesday thru Thursday, Sept 6-8

4-5:30pm Advanced beginner + ages 10-12 with Fiona Scruggs

4:30-6pm Intermediate + ages 13-18 with Emily Hildebrand


Upcoming Performances

Not to Be Missed Next Thursday…

Qualia Dance Collective & Arts Alive! present:

Chiaroscuro

a new dance work by Fiona Scruggs 

8/25, 5:30pm at Chesterwood

And More to Enjoy on August 27th… 

TurnPark Art Space presents:

CHASM

an evening of immersive dance & sound curated by Fern Katz

8/27, 1:30-3:30pm at TurnPark Art Space

Join Us at Chesterwood for a Performance (or 2)…

Our two-week Contemporary Intensive is officially underway, and we’re already excited to see what they’ve been working on…   

In fact, mark your calendars! At the end of the two-week intensive, will be a culminating presentation of student work, created in the beautiful sculptural gardens of Chesterwood. 

The presentation is free and open to all, and will take place on:

Friday, July 29th at 5pm at Chesterwood

(Rain date: Saturday, July 30th at 1pm)

We hope you’ll join us!

(poster artwork credit: Christopher Corr)

Arts Alive! presents: The Many Faces of Love

Berkshire Pulse faculty member Ian Spencer Bell will be performing Lori Belilove’s staging of Isadora Duncan’s Brahms Waltzes, The Many Faces of Love. The performance will take place on at 6:30pm on August 3rd & 4th at ChesterwoodBell dances the 110-year-old solo in the garden where Duncan herself danced for the French Family. 

Belilove, artistic director of Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation and Company, is a third-generation Duncan dancer and “the best, most devoted Duncan dancer in America” according to Dance Magazine. Pianist Lauren Aloia accompanies Bell. Also on the program is a new dance and poetry piece by Bell titled Rosing. An artist talk and champagne reception follows each performance.

Tickets are free for people under 21 years old, $15 for adults, $10 for Chesterwood members, and can be purchased at ianspencerbell.com

There’s Still Time to Sign Up for Our Ballet Intensive!

August 1st-6th

(Monday thru Saturday)

9am-3:30pm

Group 1: advanced beginner/intermediate, ages 11-13

Group 2: intermediate/advanced dancers, ages 14+

Daily classes include ballet technique, pointe/pre-pointe/traditional male ballet technique, partnering, pilates, and artistry and variations. The program culminates with an informal sharing for families on the last day. 

Challenging all facets of the student’s artistry, our faculty will meet each artist where they are to refine their technical skills, strength, musicality, and foster their dynamic artistry. This year, our weeklong program will be led by a lineup of incredible teaching artists, including…  

We will also have two special guest speakers, Victoria Guy & Beth LaPierre.  

(*SPECIAL OFFER! Adults who wish to participate in just morning ballet are welcome to do so, as long as they are willing to commit to the full week of classes. Sign up here.)    

Our Studios Are Buzzing with Summer Intensives!

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!  

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. 

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.

STARTS NEXT WEEK! Hip Hop & Street Style Intensive

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

Taught by Andres RamirezKing CharlesKelli 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.

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Classes + Guest Artists!

*Photo credit for featured image: Susan Quinn

Berkshire Pulse