Youth Performing Arts Program

Ages 4-18+
1+ classes weekly 

Berkshire Pulse offers many classes for youth, teens and adults that require participation in only one class per week.
For Youth and Teens: Dances of Africa, Beginner Drumming, Intermediate Drumming, Beginners Tap, Dance for Boys, Creative Dance, Tumbling, Intro to Dance, Dance Foundations, Beginners Flamenco, Musical
Theater for Teens 1, Funk Box Breaking, Beginners Ballet
For Teens and Adults: Please refer to the Community Class Program for classes and schedule

Ages 9+
2+ classes weekly 

Participation in two classes per week is required at this level if participating in Ballet or Modern 1. Dancing more than once per week allows for greater ease of progress and sense of fulfillment. Class requirements can be fulfilled with Beginners Flamenco, Dances of Africa, Funk Box Breaking, Beginners Tap, Ballet 1, or Modern 1. Class offerings are subject to change

Ages 10+ 
3+ classes weekly for Ballet 2 students, 2+ Classes for All Other Level 2 students

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

Participation in at least two classes per week is required for level 2 students (in accordance with individual placement recommendations). For ballet 2 students, participation in two ballet classes plus a choice of one modern, jazz, Flamenco, Dances of Africa, or Funk Box Breaking class is required. Community ballet classes are available for students age 11+ who do not wish to participate in the ballet 2 class program for youth.

Ages 12+
4+ classes weekly 

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

Participation in at least four classes a week are required for students participating in ballet or modern at this level. Level 3 ballet students take two upper-level plus one lower-level ballet, and one modern, jazz or contemporary technique classes per week to fulfill Level 3 technique class requirements. All other Level 3 students are required to take a modern class, a ballet class, and 2 other classes with options in Young Choreographers Workshop, Flamenco, Jazz 2/3, Musical Theater for Teens, Funk Box Breaking, and Tap.

Ages 14+
5+ 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 skill and individual expression of movement and artistry. These students are expected to uphold class preparedness with equipment necessary for all classes 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.

Advanced level students are required to participate in a minimum of five classes per week. The class schedule is determined by program directors in consideration of individual student needs and interests.