We’re excited to announce we have received a matching challenge gift from Alander Construction for the third year in a row, which means every dollar donated will be doubled – up to $7,500! You can donate here.
Thanks to your incredible generosity, Pulse has never turned away a student for an inability to pay.
In 2023, approximately 1 out of 6 students qualified for and were awarded between 25% and 100% of their tuition.
Your generosity gives the gift of joy to our community. And today, across our country and around the world, we need joy.
With your support and the matching challenge gift from Alander, we are even closer to raising our year-end goal for tuition assistance. Please consider supporting our Tuition Assistance Program so we can make our offerings more accessible to everyone in our community.
With every donation, you are supporting individual expression, nurturing health and well-being, strengthening cultural identity, healing trauma, and fostering connections across communities.
Click the button below to view our 2023 Annual Impact Report.
We’re so grateful to have received a matching challenge gift from Alander Construction for the third year in a row, which means every dollar donated will be doubled – up to $7,500! You can donate here or by clicking the button below.
Ballet Intensive with Hillary JacksonandVincent Brewer for ages 11 to adult 📅 February 23-25 This intermediate-level weekend intensive will focus on ballet technique and conditioning, as well as pre/beginners pointe and variation work. Each day will begin with Vaganova floor barre and conditioning, followed by a ballet class and pointe class. Then, dancers will learn and rehearse a variation from Paquita. Develop your passion for ballet while strengthening your artistry! Open to dancers enrolled in Ballet 2-4 and beginner/intermediate adults.
When Paths Cross: Contemporary Dance, Theater, and Soft Acrobatics with Fern Katz andRicardo Paz for ages 14 to adult 📅 February 23-25 The purpose of this workshop is to spark a creative burst of energy and playfulness, to foster communication and teamwork, all within a theatrical/dance context. In this workshop, we will teach how to be resourceful, quick-thinking, and use our instincts to create; let’s discover the vast realm of creative possibilities in this weekend workshop! Open to dancers ages 14+ and intermediate/advanced adults.
Berkshire Pulse teaching artists and choreographers are performing site-specific duets at The Mount. Duets include Laura Coe and Liam Coote, Veronica Bone and Akinyemi Blackshear, Gillian Ebersole and Shannon Nulf. 📅 Wed-Sat, December 20-23 🕠 5:20 and 6:20pm
This fall, our Moving Life Stories program, led by Tom Truss, took off at Pittsfield High, Taconic High, and Mt. Everett High, engaging high school students for the first time.
We’re proud to showcase how this dance and storytelling program builds lifelong skills, meeting school standards with a focus on self-reflection, physical awareness, confidence, and social-emotional intelligence.
Beyond high schools, we’ve successfully run a community Moving Life Stories series for six weeks at the William Stickney Pittsfield Adult Learning Center with students who’ve returned to school to obtain their GED and learn English.
Your generosity is at the heart of Berkshire Pulse.
Just last week, we were so honored to be named the First Place Winner in three categories (Arts Organization, Art Classes, Dance Studio/Classes) for the Rural Intelligence Readers’ Choice Awards.
This is a testament to the spirit of community that surrounds Berkshire Pulse. To all who placed nominations and votes in our name, to those who spread the word about Pulse, and to those who attend our programming across the county – you make Pulse possible.
We wanted to share our annual impact report with you. Click the button below to learn more about our work inside and out of the studio and how to support the future of Pulse.
Berkshire Pulse teaching artists and choreographers are performing site-specific duets at The Mount. Duets include Laura Coe and Liam Coote, Veronica Bone and Akinyemi Blackshear, Gillian Ebersole and Shannon Nulf.
This Fall, Berkshire Pulse is piloting the Dance for the Special Child program at Muddy Brook Elementary and Undermountain Elementary School with Sara Kiesel, Pulse’s Special Education Curriculum Advisor and Teaching Artist. Each week, Sara visits 4 integrated pre-K classrooms and 1 substantially separate classroom.
Here’s what one classroom teacher has to say about the program:
“Sara is amazing! She has such a calm way about her that she draws all of my children to her and her calm nature. She integrates language into every aspect of dance and practices turn-taking, sharing, and breathing exercises, just to name a few.
Sara explores body parts, spatial relationships, and dance elements to each child’s ability. Sara is great at differentiating what each child’s abilities are and how to help them progress. The children get very excited on Thursdays when they see Ms. Sara’s photo on our visual schedule and know she is coming. We love having Ms. Sara teach dance to our class and hope that this continues.
Having a program for special needs children as wonderful as this, in our small town, is nothing less than spectacular!!!”
Thank you for being a part of what makes Pulse so special – the people who bring our studios to life.
We wanted to share our annual impact report with you. Click the button below to learn more about our work inside and out of the studio and how to support the future of Pulse.
November is also Native American Heritage Month. We acknowledge that we are learning, creating, and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Muhheaconneok people, who are the indigenous peoples of the land upon which Berkshire Pulse sits.
Despite the tremendous hardship of being forced from their land, today their community resides in Wisconsin and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.
We are still open next Monday and Tuesday for classes. Our studios will be closed Wednesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 26.
In-School Program Spotlight
The Afterschool Dance Program at the Boys & Girls Club is a pilot partnership to provide free, high-quality, and youth-driven dance programming for Pittsfield middle and high school students. This fall, we are holding Hip-Hop and House classes taught by Madison Palffy and Laura Coe on Thursdays for 9 weeks, with 13 participating so far. We plan to continue and build this program for the Spring session as well as introduce a mini-intensive during their school February vacation.
“We have a really great group of middle schoolers! They’re both enthusiastic and friendly with each other, I think they’re excited about the material Madison is bringing in and telling friends and siblings about it.” ~ Laura Coe, Teaching Assistant
Joanne Bockemuehl-Jackson leads a beginner series this November. This series is targeted to everyone that is curious about tapping into their own passionate courage to allow themselves to stand up and be seen! For ages 18+
We are so grateful for the dedication and leadership of our 10 Teaching Assistants (not all pictured) Beatrice, Chris, Georgia, Maya, Eva Sophia, Antonia, Ned, D’Ari, Megan, and Estrella.
These dancers are an integral part of our Youth Performing Arts Program, and their love for dance inspires our younger dancers. Thank you!
Share your love for Pulse!
Thanks to community nomination, Berkshire Pulse made it to the voting round of the Rural Intelligence Readers’ Choice Awards!
Berkshire Pulse is nominated in multiple categories under Arts & Entertainment, including Best Dance Classes/Studio and Best Arts Organization.
Help spread the word about Berkshire Pulse by visiting RuralIntelligence.com/ReadersChoice to cast your vote! Voting runs until November 13, and you can cast nominations every day. Voting is easy – you just need to enter a valid email!
Shawn Stevens, from the Stockbridge Munsee Mohican reservation in Wisconsin, and Shannon Chada from Chicago, made their annual pilgrimage to their ancestral native lands in Berkshire County. Before being displaced, the Mohican/Munsee land extended across six states, including parts of Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Berkshire Pulse partnered with Shawn and Shannon to bring their dedicated work of educating and connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds to local schools. They held school assemblies in three Berkshire County Elementary schools and had an in-depth discussion with first-year students at Simon’s Rock, reaching over 1000 students.
We’re excited to have John “Galush” Galusha teaching two upcoming beatboxing workshops as part of our Wacky Wednesday Workshop Series. Join us on November 8 and 15 to try beatboxing!
In these workshops, you will learn the ways beatboxing can be implemented into a musical mental health practice along with the beatbox basics: BTK and variations on BTK.
WACKY WEDNESDAY SERIES for ages 12 to adult 📅 Wednesdays from October 11 – 25 🕡 6:45-8pm
All workshops are open to absolute beginners, meaning you don’t need any related experience to participate. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind!
Thanks to community nomination, Berkshire Pulse made it to the voting round of the Rural Intelligence Readers’ Choice Awards!
Berkshire Pulse is nominated in multiple categories, including Best Dance Classes/Studio and Best Arts Organization.
Help spread the word about Berkshire Pulse by visiting RuralIntelligence.com/ReadersChoice to cast your vote! Voting runs until November 13, and you can cast nominations every day. Voting is easy – you just need to enter a valid email!
Join us for a special series of Beginners Funk Box Breaking for Adults and Teens with Andres Ramirez, on October 13, 20, 27 and November 3 from 6:15-7:15pm. For ages 16 to adult
Then, come dance with Dashawn Davison November 17 and Shakia Barronin December and January from 6:15-7:45pm! For ages 12 to adult
Joanne Bockemuehl-Jackson leads a beginner series this November. This series is targeted to everyone that is curious about tapping into their own passionate courage to allow themselves to stand up and be seen! For ages 18+
Angel Lau teaches the basics of how to play any percussion instrument. Using these foundations, you’ll learn different rhythms from all over the globe with a focus on West African, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian percussion. For ages 11+. Absolute beginners and experienced drummers are all welcomed.
All workshops are open to absolute beginners, meaning you don’t need any related experience to participate. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind!
We’ve been busy making some updates in our space – including these fun new bean bags in our new lounge (formerly our music room). Next time you’re in our studios, peek in the back to check it out!
October brings so many new classes to our space. We’re excited to launch new classes in our Youth Performing Arts Program and continue to introduce workshops for teens and adults in our Community Class Program.
with Sereena Hunter, Andres Ramirez, Dashawn Davis, and Shakia Barron
For teens and adults at beginner and intermediate levels, our Hip Hop & Street Style workshops feature guest teaching artists with experience in all different styles. Whether this is your first time in a Hip Hop & Street Style class or you’re excited to return, these workshops offer a chance for you to groove and have fun!
Sereena Hunter returns to teach a Commercial Hip Hop Workshop! This hip-hop class is a fast-paced and energetic dance style using the latest street/urban dance moves set to commercial hip-hop music. For ages 13 to adult
Join us for a special series of Beginners Funk Box Breaking for Adults and Teens with Andres Ramirez, on October 13, 20, 27 and November 3 from 6:15-7:15pm. For ages 16 to adult
Then, come dance with Dashawn Davison November 17 and Shakia Barronin December and January from 6:15-7:45pm! For ages 12 to adult
a rotating workshop series with classes for all levels
Each Wednesday, we have rotating workshops with guest teaching artists. All workshops are open to absolute beginners, meaning you don’t need any related experience to participate. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind!
We started with 4 weeks of Improv Theater with Liz Butler and Ben Jardine (last class October 4, it’s not too late to try)! Next, join us for 3 weeks of Salsa with Luana Dias David.
Berkshire Pulse is Hiring We are expanding our staff and hiring for a few positions, both part-time and full-time, including a full-time Operations Manager, part-time Development Manager, and Front Desk Staff. View our open positions here.
Wacky Wednesday Workshops
a rotating workshop series with classes for all levels
Our newest workshop series is off to a great start!
Each Wednesday, we’ll have rotating workshops with guest teaching artists. All workshops are open to absolute beginners, meaning you don’t need any related experience to participate. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind!
with Andres Ramirez, Dashawn Davis, and Shakia Barron
for beginner and intermediate levels, ages 16+
📅 Fridays starting October 13
🕕 6:15pm
Join us for a special series of Beginners Funk Box Breaking for Adults and Teens with Andres Ramirez, on October 13, 20, 27 and November 3 from 6:15-7:15pm.
Then, come dance with Dashawn Davis on November 17 and Shakia Barron on December 1, 8, 15, and January 12 & 19 from 6:15-7:45pm!
a rotating workshop series with classes for all levels
We’re excited to announce a new workshop series called Wacky Wednesdays!
Each Wednesday, we’ll have rotating workshops with guest teaching artists. All workshops are open to absolute beginners, meaning you don’t need any related experience to participate. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind!
First up – 4 weeks of Improv Theater with Liz Butler and Ben Jardine!
Improv theater is the practice of building a scene or a story one piece at a time, in the moment, without any planning or scripting. Working with a group of others, or by yourself, you create a supportive environment where anything goes. It’s a joyous, uplifting, and deeply rewarding exercise where you can learn about yourself and have fun in the process.
for beginner and intermediate dancers ages 12 to adult
This class teaches the partnered basics of East Coast Swing with a particular emphasis on rhythm, artistry, and jazz dance history. We’ll explore movement patterns that establish the foundations of Lindy Hop as a social, vernacular jazz dance. The goal is to boost your confidence to hit the dance floor and have fun, while celebrating the music, movement, and spirit of the Harlem Renaissance and Swing Era!
Learn gentle core strengthening exercises at the beginning of class, followed by ballet barre and basic center work, with a guided deep relaxation and short meditation to close. This class emphasizes leg and core strength, weight shifts, and balance work while learning ballet technique.
These skills are useful for fall prevention – so important as we age – and combined here with beautiful music, the gracefulness of ballet movement, mental focus and relaxation, students will have a holistic movement class experience.
Do you have questions about fall registration? Need help with the registration process? We are here to help!
In-person registration is available at Pulse during these dates and times:
Tuesday 8/29, 2-7pm
Wednesday 8/30, 2-7pm
Thursday 8/31, 2-7pm
*Community Class attendees returning to an ongoing class do not need to re-register, but if you have any questions about the schedule, new classes, want to update your information, etc., this is a great time to do so.
August 29-31: In-person registration available from 2-7pm; online registration continues
September 4-10: Studios closed for Labor Day and maintenance, online registration continues
September 11: First day of fall session for all Community & Youth Performing Arts Program Classes
New Class Highlight:
Music & Storytelling
with Jeffrey Howard
Look at these young movers so invested in storytime! We loved our Music & Storytelling class during our Dance Adventure program SO much that we’ve added a class this fall.
Using basic percussion instruments like shaky eggs, djembes, and the ukulele, this class will engage young children in music! Activities include: using rhythm to say your name in syllables; using the sounds of the instruments to cook a recipe; and acting out animals using sound and motions. Using books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “How Things Work in Busytown,” we will augment the stories and scenes using the sound from our instruments and the motion of our bodies.
Explore the passion of flamenco in your body and connect to your inner DUENDE. The class will focus on exercises for Flamenco footwork, body posture, and coordination. Exercises will then be incorporated into short segments of choreography, taking the student beyond the steps and into the experience of individual style and expression. Joanne’s flamenco classes increase self-confidence and emphasize individuality, supporting the student in expression of personal character and emotion.
This class is best suited for students with basic knowledge of flamenco to deepen their practice but open to beginners with regular attendance. Classes are intergenerational – just like a family!
This class is both for Youth Performing Arts Program students and community members. No drop-ins! This class requires commitment to the full session.
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