Youth Performing Arts Program

Ages 18 months-8 years
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: Caregiver/Child classes, Creative Dance, Tumbling, Intro to Dance

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.

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

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.

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, 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.

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 2-3, 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.

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, House, 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.

Ages 14+ and entering first year of high school
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 3-4, 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.