2023 Archives - Berkshire Pulse

Celebrating our love of dance

Posted on September 18, 2023September 13, 2023 by Teak

Yesterday was National Dance Day, but we celebrate dance every day at Berkshire Pulse!

With our Youth Performing Arts Program and Community Classes in full swing, our studios are alive with movement and life.

BROWSE CLASSES

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!

WACKY WEDNESDAY SERIES

for ages 12 to adult

📅 Wednesdays

🕡 6:45-8pm

First up – 4 weeks of Improv Theater with Liz Butler and Ben Jardine! Next, join us for 3 weeks of Salsa with Luana Dias David.

Youth Classes Open for Registration

It’s not too late to sign up for our Youth Performing Arts Program. There is still time to get your young dancer signed up for class!

We are so excited to welcome every new mover to our studio (and welcome back so many familiar faces).

VIEW CLASSES & REGISTER

Upcoming Hip Hop Workshops

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!

SEE THE SCHEDULE

Join us for our first week of classes!

Posted on September 5, 2023September 7, 2023 by Teak

Classes for our fall session are officially in full swing!

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

BROWSE CLASSES

Introducing Wacky Wednesday

a rotating workshop series with classes for all levels

We’re excited to announce a new workshop series called Wacky Wednesdays!

WACKY WEDNESDAY SERIES

for ages 12 to adult

📅 Wednesdays starting September 13

🕡 6:45-8pm

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.

Swing for Teens and Adults

📅 Thursdays

🕓 6:45-7:45pm

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!

No partner necessary – come as you are!

Ballet Zen is Back!

with Melissa Elstein

for beginner and intermediate levels, ages 21+

📅 Thursdays

🕑 2-3:30pm

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.

Choose your classes today!

Posted on August 22, 2023August 23, 2023 by Teak

Online registration for fall classes opens today!

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.

Important Dates for Fall:

August 23: Online registration opens
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.

MUSIC AND STORYTELLING🎵

📅 Tuesdays

🕞 3:45-4:30 PM

for ages 4-6

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.

Class Highlight: Flamenco

with Joanne Bockemuehl-Jackson

📅 Thursdays

🕡 5:45-6:45pm

for beginners/intermediate ages 12 to adult

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.

Fall in love with dance!

Posted on August 17, 2023August 17, 2023 by Teak

Summer may be coming to an end, but we are so excited for fall. Our Fall 2023 Schedule is live on our website now.

VIEW THE SCHEDULE

Important Dates for Fall:

August 23: Online registration opens
August 29-31: In-person registration for Youth Performing Arts Program Classes 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:

Musical Theater Collective

with Tom Masters, Teak Welch, and Wendy Welch, plus guest teaching artists

📅 Saturdays🕑 2-4pm
for ages 10+
We’re excited to debut a new program for our musical theater dancers, actors, and singers. Become a triple threat while taking this workshop with classes in Broadway Jazz, voice, acting, and improvisation. Students will learn healthy warm-up practices for the voice and body, and work on character development, expression, ensemble, and more.

LEARN MORE

Community Class Highlight:

Capoeira

with Tarcisio “Taz” Ramos Dos Santos

📅 Mondays🕓 6:45-8pm

for absolute beginners ages 13 to adult

Discover the essence of Afro-Brazilian martial art with our captivating Capoeira class at Berkshire Pulse.

Experience acrobatic movements, dance, powerful kicks, and the enchanting rhythms of traditional Capoeira music. This dynamic practice cultivates strength, flexibility, rhythm, and coordination. Suitable for all levels, come and embrace the spirit of Capoeira with us today!

*Please note: this class requires commitment to attending for the first 4 weeks.

LEARN MORE

Savoring the end of summer

Posted on August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 by Teak

There has been so much joy in our studios this summer! The picture above is from an Appalachian Flat Footing Workshop with Miriam Piilonen during our Pulse Intensive.

This week, our Hip Hop/Street Style Intensive is underway, and we are having a blast!

New Chapters at Pulse

We’re excited to share that staff members Veronica Bone and Gillian Ebersole have updated job descriptions and positions.

Starting this Weekend: Dunham Technique Workshop Series

with Saroya Corbett

Open level, for ages 13-adult

In this series, Saroya Corbett, Arthur Levitt Jr. ’52 Artist-in-Residence Fellow at Williams College, will share her expertise in Dunham Technique, an Afro-Modern dance technique.

Jumpstart Your Fall Dancing

New and returning students ages 10-18

This program offers students who are new or returning to Pulse the opportunity to resume training with a week of afternoon ballet and modern classes before the Fall session begins.

Upcoming Summer Intensives

It’s not too late to register for our upcoming summer intensives!

Musical Theater
(August 7-12)
Day Camp: ages 10 to 14
Evening Series: ages 14 to adult

Deep Dive! Contemporary Intensive
(August 14-18)
for advanced teens and adults ages 17+

Jumpstart
(August 28 – September 1)
new and returning students ages 10-18

Spirits of Chesterwood

Posted on July 19, 2023July 18, 2023 by Teak

Thursday, July 27 at 4pm and 6pm

Rain date: Friday, July 28

Spirits of Chesterwood is an intergenerational dance project created by seven local choreographers in the Berkshire Pulse community. This roving, site-specific performance will be presented as a part of Chesterwood’s Arts Alive! series on Thursday, July 27, once at 4pm and again at 6pm, to allow an intimate group of audience members to follow the performers along the route.

BUY TICKETS

Dunham Technique Workshop Series

With Saroya Corbett

Open level, for ages 13-adult

📅 Saturdays, August 5 – 26

🕦 11:30am – 1pm

In this series, Saroya Corbett, Arthur Levitt Jr. ’52 Artist-in-Residence Fellow at Williams College, will share her expertise in Dunham Technique, an Afro-Modern dance technique.

Sharing Summer Intensive Joy

Our Dance Discovery Intensive brought together dancers ages 8 to 12 for two weeks of exploration! In particular, they loved their African Dance class with Nkoula Badila and Angel Lau (pictured here).

Upcoming Summer Intensives

It’s not too late to register for our upcoming summer intensives!

Hip Hop/Street Style Intensive
(July 31-August 4)
ages 12 to adult

Musical Theater
(August 7-12)
Day Camp: ages 10 to 14
Evening Series: ages 14 to adult

Deep Dive! Contemporary Intensive
(August 14-18)
for advanced teens and adults ages 17+

Dance with us this summer!

Posted on July 5, 2023June 27, 2023 by Gillian Ebersole

Summer Intensive season is finally in full swing! Here’s just a taste of what our schedule looks like:

We are just finishing two weeks of our Dance Discovery Intensive, a journey into the dance forms including ballet, modern, African, Appalachian Flatfooting, and more.
Our Berkshire Pulse Intensive begins next week, which we couldn’t be more excited about. (Want to join? Click the button below!)
Plus, upcoming intensives include Dance Adventure, Hip Hop/Street Style, and Musical Theater.
We end the summer with Deep Dive!, a week-long contemporary intensive for advanced teens/adults, as well as pre-professional and professional dancers!

Want to participate in any of our intensives? Click below to learn more and register!

DANCE ALL SUMMER

Upcoming Community Classes

Basic Dance Composition with Rebecca Alson-Milkman

Beginner, for ages 16-adult

📅 Tuesdays beginning July 11

🕠 5:30-7:00 PM

Have you ever been curious about making your own choreography but thought you missed your chance? Here it is!

Through group improvisations and assigned studies, budding dancemakers will be introduced to the building blocks of composition: movement theme and variation, varying ways to code and carve the dance space, and how to define relationships between dancers.

Capoeira with Tarcísio Ramos Dos Santos

For beginner movers and all levels, ages 13-adult

📅 Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning July 11

🕠 5:30-6:45 PM

Community Musical Theater with Wendy Welch

Open level, for ages 16-adult

📅 Wednesdays starting July 5

🕠 5:30-6:30pm

For everyone who loves to sing!

In this class, you will learn healthy vocal techniques, breath support, and how to connect to the material! You will also explore ‘acting the song’ through improvisation and acting exercises, while also having the opportunity to learn solo and group songs.

Spirits of Chesterwood

Spirits of Chesterwood is an intergenerational dance project created by 7 local choreographers in the Pulse community. This will be performed as a part of Chesterwoods’ Arts Alive series on Thursday, July 27, with shows at 4pm and 6pm.

BUY TICKETS

What’s New at Pulse

Posted on June 20, 2023June 14, 2023 by Gillian Ebersole

Our summer session is in full swing! We’re so excited for our Dance Discovery program to begin next week. Plus, our Community Classes with new and continuing class and workshop options for all ages and levels of experience.

Next Tuesday, June 27, join the Feel Into Your Wholeness Workshop Series with Madeline Despres-Chen, Registered Somatic Movement Therapist & Educator. Madeline will guide you through a gentle somatic yoga experience to connect with your heart and lungs, followed by a therapeutic expressive arts process. The workshop will conclude with a facilitation of guided movement to support your fluid nature and deepen your mind-body-spirit connection.

World Percussion & African Dance

with Angel Lau & Nkoula Badila

A group of dancers in an African Dance Class. They are moving and a drummer plays while looking on.

Starting next Monday, June 26, join Nkoula Badila and Angel Lau for back-to-back community classes.

World Percussion
Open Level and Intergenerational, for ages 8-adult
📅 Mondays, June 26-July 17
🕓 4-4:45pm

The world of percussion is so vast and exciting! In this course, you will learn the basics of how to play any percussion instrument, learning different rhythms from all over the globe with a focus on Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion.

African Dance

Open Level, for ages 14-adult
📅 Mondays, June 26-July 17
🕓 5-6pm

This class will focus on a combination of Central West African + Contemporary dances, getting in touch with your own rhythm and flexibility, and finding a strong foundation in the relationship between the drum and the dance.

Save the Date: Spirits of Chesterwood

Spirits of Chesterwood is an intergenerational dance project created by 6 local choreographers in the Pulse community. This will be performed as a part of Chesterwoods’ Arts Alive series on Thursday, July 27, with shows at 4pm and 6pm.

BUY TICKETS

Upcoming Performance This Week

Two dancers lay on their stomachs behind a row of assorted stuffed animals and toys. A third person holding a guitar kneels next to them.

why are you all still here

📅 Friday, June 23
🕢 7:30pm
📍 The Foundry, 2 Harris St, West Stockbridge

Pulse Teaching Artists Gillian Ebersole, Shannon Nulf, and Benjamin Court perform this Friday at The Foundry in West Stockbridge! Set to a soundscape of ambient blues music, their show why are you all still here explores the connection between knick knacks and nostalgia through movement and poetry, inspired by the items that stick with us, persisting even after every iteration of spring cleaning.

BUY TICKETS

Thank YOU for making our Spring Celebration a success!

Posted on June 8, 2023June 8, 2023 by Gillian Ebersole

Thank you to all of our community members, teaching artists, families, and dancers who made our 2023 Spring Celebration a huge success!

On May 27 & 28, our dancers performed in two sold-out shows at the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock. 100% of the proceeds from these performances will benefit our Tuition Assistance program.

We are so grateful to our generous sponsors for making this year’s performance celebration possible:

Alander Construction
Berkshire Mountain Bakery
Indian Mountain School
Jacob’s Pillow
Nature Works Organic Land Care Inc
Gail Belmuth
Joan & Peter Coombs
Alan & Benès Glackman
Claudia & Joe Gold
Bruce Humes/Tall Tree Productions
Diane Pearlman & Jeff Diamond

Join us this Saturday at the upcoming Housatonic Party in the Park! Come learn more about Pulse’s summer programming and join an African Dance and Drumming class.

Music & Storytelling (ages 4-6)

with Jeffrey Howard

📅 Mondays, July 3 to Aug 21
🕞 3:45-4:45pm

Plus, the class incorporates books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “How Things Work in Busytown,” teaching young musicians to augment the stories and scenes using the sound from their instruments and the motion of their bodies.

Pride Ballet Workshop

📅 Saturday, June 17
🕤 9:30 to 11:30am

Set to pop tunes of queer greats, this workshop gives beginning and experienced dancers a chance to take up space, play with weight and momentum, and reframe their experience with ballet as one of joy.

This class centers queer folks but all are welcome! Dress in whatever way supports your identity and range of motion; rainbows encouraged. 🌈

*All proceeds from this class will be donated to the Elizabeth Freeman Center, an organization that offers hope, help, and healing to all experiencing or affected by domestic and sexual violence through free, accessible, and confidential services in Berkshire County.

CELEBRATE PRIDE

Summer Intensive Highlight

👟HIP HOP & STREET STYLE INTENSIVE (Ages 12 to adult)

Introducing our Teaching Artists: Isaiah (Critical) Artis, Ben Court, Dashawn Davis, Miriam Piilonen, Andres Ramirez, and Peter (P-Boogie) Reynolds Jr. Read their bios here.

📅 Monday to Friday, July 31 – August 4
🕘 9am – 3pm

All levels, two groups: ages 12-14 and 15 to adult

Join these teaching artists to learn foundational movements and techniques of hip hop and street style dance, alongside discussions about the cultural meaning and significance of these dance forms.

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.

PUSH THE BUTTON

Join us for our Spring Celebration!

Posted on May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 by Gillian Ebersole

There is still time to buy your tickets for our annual Spring Celebration this weekend!

All tickets are general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 100% of the proceeds will benefit our Tuition Assistance program.

BUY TICKETS

Sponsor Spotlight

We are so grateful to our generous sponsors for making this year’s performance celebration possible.

Save the Date

Mohican Roots: Building Community through Council Dialogue

Alliance for a Viable Future will be holding community peacemaking dialogues to build relationships toward ancestral healing and reconciliation this June.

Wanonah Spencer, a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohicans, received a six-month fellowship from Alliance for a Viable Future to deepen her relationship with her ancestral homeland—the Berkshires.

Join us in dialogue at Pulse on June 22 at 6pm. You can register here. The program is free and open to all.

◾June 1st – In-person Council @ Flying Deer Nature Center
◾June 22nd – In-person Council @ Berkshire Pulse
◾July 20th – In-person Council @ Random Harvest

Summer Community Classes

A teacher looks on as a group of students do a three-legged downward dog in a dance studio.

Our summer community class schedule is on our website, and we are adding classes every day!

Many classes we currently offer will be continuing this summer, as well as some exciting new classes and workshops! Summer community classes include:

African Dance
African Drumming
Basic Dance Composition
Ballet (Beginnning, Adv Beg/Int, and Int/Adv)
Contact Improvisation
Jazz
Modern (Beginning, Int/Adv)
Musical Theater
Shake Your Soul®
Swing
Tap

Plus special workshops, including Pride Ballet, Queer Men of the Berkshires Dance Workshop, and a new Feel Into Your Wholeness series!

BROWSE CLASSES