Youth Performing Arts Program

A group of dancers run inside a beautiful well-lit studio.

Youth Performing Arts Program

Our Youth Performing Arts Program (PAP) provides an in-depth, interdisciplinary learning experience to young dancers ages 4 to 18. From the start of their training, students are introduced to dance practice with an equal emphasis on technical development as well as artistic exploration. As they progress in age and level, a comprehensive curriculum encourages students to expand their creative language while challenging their intellectual, technical, and artistic abilities.      

  • Weekly classes, special workshops, and summer intensives are offered to all students. 
  • Students are placed in one of 6 levels to ensure their growth and success, while factoring in age and experience.      
  • Following an interdisciplinary philosophy, Youth Performing Arts Program classes fuse modern techniques with traditional approaches to cultivate a rich artistic experience.    
  • Berkshire Pulse holds its annual Dance and Music Celebration at the end of each Spring Session. Participation in the annual performance is optional. Most Youth Performing Arts Program classes are included, beginning with Dance Foundations through the advanced levels. Additional performance opportunities are available for Levels 3 and 4 throughout the year.

Placing students correctly is a core aspect to the Berkshire Pulse Performing Arts Program curriculum. For placement and class recommendations, we carefully consider a wide variety of factors: specific interest, physical skill, peer group, emotional maturity, years of previous study and age. Each student is placed where we believe they will have the greatest potential for fulfillment and growth. NEW dance students age 9+ who would like to participate in the Ballet and Modern classes are encouraged to attend one class for placement prior to enrollment. Returning students are not required to take placement classes. 

Enrollment in Levels 1 through 4 requires placement from Pulse teaching artists and staff. New students can take a placement class to determine their level. After class, the teaching artist and programming team will meet to determine placement for each student. No decision will be made on the spot. Please do not ask our teaching artists about class placement. Students who would like to try a class, or are seeking class recommendations, can contact us for more information.

Check out our class descriptions from past sessions, including Spring 2022, Summer 2022 Intensives, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023, and Fall 2023.

Pulse Is for Everyone

Learn more about our Tuition Assistance Program and Card to Culture Benefits.

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING

If you do not yet have an account with the site, please create one on the My Account page. ALSO please be sure to complete the ‘Account details‘ section of the My Accounts page and make sure that all of your information is current, including for any children you will be registering for classes. Please be sure to read Pulse’s policies before registering.

Questions about Pulse’s COVID policies? See our policies.

Click here for Spring 2024 Community Classes for Adults and Teens

Beginner (Ages 4-8+)

Ages 4-8+
1+ classes weekly 

Our youngest dancers begin their journey in classes that foster their individual artistic voice, sense of creativity, and joy in movement.

Classes include: Creative Dance, Tumbling, Music & Storytelling, Intro to Dance, Beginners Tap, Beginners Flamenco, West African Drumming

Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens, and adults that require participation in only one class per week. For teens and adults, please refer to our Community Class Program for classes and schedule.

Foundations (Ages 8-13)

Ages 8-13
1+ classes weekly 

Our Foundations Level classes can follow our Beginners Level classes or provide an introduction to dance on their own. These classes introduce dancers to specific dance forms and technique, while continuing a spirit of creativity, exploration, and joy.

Classes include: Dance Foundations, Dance Foundations 2, Beginners Tap, West African Drumming, Dances of Africa, Dance for Boys, Beginners Flamenco, Beginners Funk Box Breaking,
Beginners Ballet

Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens, and adults that require participation in only one class per week. For teens and adults, please refer to our Community Class Program for classes and schedule.

Level 1 (Ages 9-12)

Ages 9-12+ 
2+ classes weekly

Level 1 dancers can deepen their experience with movement and learning by progressing into two classes per week. Dancing more than once per week allows for greater ease of progress and sense of fulfillment.

Classes include: Ballet 1, Modern 1, Jazz 1-2, Dances of Africa, Beginners Flamenco, Beginners/Intermediate Funk Box Breaking, Musical Theater Collective, West African Drumming, Beginners Tap

Participation in two classes or more per week is required at this level. Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens, and adults that require participation in only one class per week. For teens and adults, please refer to our Community Class Program for classes and schedule.

Level 2 (Ages 10+)

Ages 10+
2+ classes weekly 

The classes in this level are designed to challenge, inspire, and foster love for dance as an art form and as a tool for developing the dedication necessary in fulfilling personal goals.

Classes include: Ballet 2, Pre/Beginners Pointe, Modern 2, Jazz 1-2, Young Choreographers Workshop, Beginners/Intermediate Flamenco, Swing, Beginners/Intermediate Funk Box Breaking, Musical Theater Collective, West African Drumming, Beginners/Intermediate Tap

Participation in two classes or more per week is required at this level. Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens, and adults that require participation in only one class per week. For teens and adults, please refer to our Community Class Program for classes and schedule.

Level 3 (Ages 13+)

Ages 13+
3+ classes weekly    

Students who are invited to participate in Level 3 have exhibited the desire, self-discipline, and dedication necessary for further progress and accomplishment in the Berkshire Pulse Youth Performing Arts Program. Level 3 students are expected to uphold class preparedness with appropriate dress code and to maintain conditioning, as well as deepen and widen their range of experience during school breaks with level-appropriate Pulse community classes, workshops, and intensives.

Classes include: Ballet 3, Pre/Beginners Pointe, Modern 3, Jazz 3-4, Young Choreographers Workshop, Beginners/Intermediate Flamenco, Swing, Beginners/Intermediate Funk Box Breaking, Musical Theater Collective, West African Drumming, Beginners/Intermediate Tap

Participation in three classes or more per week is required at this level. Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens, and adults that require participation in only one class per week. For teens and adults, please refer to our Community Class Program for classes and schedule.

Level 4 (Ages 14+)

Ages 14+
4+ classes weekly

Students invited to Level 4 have a self-motivated and rigorous work ethic, the ability to welcome ongoing challenges and retain corrections, and the patience to go deeper into developing technical skills and individual expression of movement and artistry. These students are expected to uphold class preparedness with an appropriate dress code and to maintain conditioning during breaks with level-appropriate Pulse community classes, workshops, and intensives. Level 4 students have the opportunity to study with visiting teaching artists regularly throughout the year and are invited to participate in performances and workshops at other venues throughout the region.

The class schedule is determined by program directors in consideration of individual students’ needs and interests.

Classes include: Ballet 4, Pointe, Contemporary 4, Jazz 3-4, Young Choreographers Initiative, Beginners/Intermediate Flamenco, Swing, Beginners/Intermediate Funk Box Breaking, Musical Theater Collective, West African Drumming, Intermediate/Advanced Tap

Participation in four classes or more per week is required at this level. Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens, and adults that require participation in only one class per week. For teens and adults, please refer to our Community Class Program for classes and schedule.


  • Class Type

  • Level

  • Days

Latin Dance Shines at Simon’s Rock, for ages 16+

Tuesday and Thursdays, 4:15-5:40pm (March 26, 28; April 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30; May 2, 7)
with Luana Dias David

Summer Intensive Registration Fee (one fee per student)

Starting in 2024, Berkshire Pulse is implementing a $20 non-refundable registration fee for our summer intensives. This charge covers administrative needs and is only charged once per student. If you register for multiple intensives, you will only pay one registration fee per student. This fee is required to register for a Summer Intensive. It is not covered by Tuition Assistance. 
Please purchase ONE registration fee per student when registering for a Summer Intensive at Berkshire Pulse.

PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN: Dance Discovery, for ages 8-13

June 24 – 28 | Ages 8 to 13 (half-day option for ages 8-9, mornings only)
Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm (9am-12pm half-day)

PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN: Berkshire Pulse Intensive, for ages 11+

July 8 – 20 | Ages 11+
First Week, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm; Second week, Monday to Saturday, 9am-4pm

PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN: Dance Adventure, for ages 4-7

July 22 – 26 | Ages 4-7, half-day
Monday to Friday, 9am-12pm

PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN: Hip Hop and Street Style, for ages 10+

July 29 – August 2 | All levels, ages 10 to adult
Monday to Friday, 9am-3:30pm

PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN: Musical Theater, for ages 10+

August 5 – 10 | All levels, ages 10+
Monday to Saturday, 9am-3pm

PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN: Movement Lab: A Workshop in Professional Practice, for ages 17+

August 12 – 16 | Advanced teens and undergrad students 17+, adults with advanced contemporary experience
Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm

Creative Dance, for ages 4-6 (WAITLIST REGISTRATION ONLY)

Wednesdays, 3:45-4:30pm (January 17 – April 10)
with Anna Mayta

Tumbling, for ages 5-7 and 6-8

Saturdays 10-11am and 11:15am-12:15pm (January 20 – April 13)
with Erin Naylor

Intro to Dance, for ages 6-8 (WAITLIST REGISTRATION ONLY)

Thursdays, 3:50-4:50pm (January 18 – April 11)
with Shannon Nulf

Beginners Tap, for ages 7+ (WAITLIST REGISTRATION ONLY)

Mondays, 4:35-5:20pm (January 22 – April 8)
with Tom Masters

Beginners Flamenco, for ages 7+

Thursdays, 4:45-5:45pm (January 18 – May 23)
with Joanne Bockemuehl-Jackson

Beginners West African Drumming, for ages 8+

Mondays, 3:45-4:30pm (January 22 – May 20)
with Rick Shrum

Intermediate West African Drumming, for ages 9+

Thursdays, 3:45-4:30pm (January 18 – May 23)
with Rick Shrum

Dance Foundations, for ages 8-10

Mondays, 3:50-4:50pm (January 22 – May 20)
with Susan Quinn

Beginners Ballet, for ages 8-10

Saturdays, 9-10am (January 20 – May 25)
with Fiona Scruggs

Dance Foundations 2, for ages 10-13

Mondays, 5:25pm-6:25pm (January 22 – April 8)
with Madisyn Boussie

Dance for Boys, for ages 10-13

Wednesdays, 4-5:15pm (January 17 – May 22)
with Gillian Ebersole and Tom Masters, plus guest teacher Tarcisio Ramos dos Santos

Beginners Funk Box Breaking, for ages 10+

Fridays, 4-5pm (January 19 – May 24)
with Andres Ramirez

Intermediate Funk Box Breaking, for ages 10+

Fridays, 5-6pm (January 19 – May 24)
with Andres Ramirez

Ballet 1, for ages 9-12

Saturdays, 10:10-11:25am (January 20 – May 25)
with Fiona Scruggs

Modern 1, for ages 9-12

Fridays, 4-5:30pm (January 19 – May 24)
with Ashley Hartka

Jazz 1-2, for ages 10+ (WAITLIST REGISTRATION ONLY)

Mondays, 3:50-5:05pm (January 22 – May 20)
with Teak Welch

Ballet 2-3, for ages 10+

Wednesdays, 4-5:45pm; Fridays, 4-5:30pm (January 17 – May 24)
with Fiona Scruggs

Pre-Pointe/Beginners Pointe, for ages 11+

Fridays, 5:40-6:20pm (January 19 – May 17)
with Fiona Scruggs

Modern 2, for ages 11+

Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm (January 30 – May 21)
with Gillian Ebersole

Young Choreographers Workshop, for ages 12+

Tuesdays, 5:45-7:15pm (January 30 – May 7)
with Susan Quinn

Musical Theater Collective, for ages 10+

Saturdays, 2-4pm (January 20 – May 11)
with Tom Masters, Teak Welch, and Wendy Welch, plus guest artists

Int/Adv Tap, for ages 12-adult

Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm (January 17 – May 22)
with Tom Masters

Modern 3, for ages 13-adult

Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm (January 30 – May 21)
with Holly Jones and Shannon Nulf

Broadway Jazz 3-4, for ages 13-adult

Saturdays, 12:15-1:45pm (January 20 – May 25)
with Tom Masters

Group Level Ballet 3-4, for ages 13-18

Thursdays, 4:15-5:45pm (January 18 – May 16)
with Isadora Wolfe, and Madisyn Boussie assisting

Contemporary 4, for ages 14-adult

Tuesdays, 5:45-7:30pm (January 30 – May 21)
with Gillian Ebersole and Shannon Nulf

Senior Choreography Project

For Level 3 and 4 dancers in their final year at Berkshire Pulse
with Susan Quinn

Young Choreographers Initiative, for ages 14-adult

Mondays, 5-6:45pm (January 22 – May 20)
with Susan Quinn

Swing – Beg/Int, for ages 12-adult

Thursdays, 6:45-7:45pm; plus, from 7:45-8:15pm, optional Intermediate level class time (Begins January 11)
with Brianne Szymanski

Taekwondo, for ages 4-adult

Mondays 5:30-6:30pm, Wednesdays 7:15-8:15pm, Saturdays 11:30am-1:30pm
with the Martial Arts Institute of the Berkshires
Berkshire Pulse