Our Fall 2024 Schedule is Live and Registration is Open! Classes begin September 9.
*Please note that Berkshire Pulse is closed Monday August 26 to Monday September 2 for maintenance.*

Tag: 2024

Jump Into Jump Start

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Want to get back into the groove before the Fall session? Join our Jump Start intensive!

With Bettina Montano and Fiona Scruggs

Levels 2-3, ages 11+ | For new students with prior dance experience and returning Level 2-3 students

September 3-6

Tuesday-Friday

4:00-8:00pm

This program offers Levels 2-3 students a week of afternoon classes to resume their training, and prepare physically and mentally for the Fall session. The afternoon will begin with a Modern class where students will build upon the fundamentals of dance technique through the exploration of traditional modern dance principals. Students will explore center practice techniques, dynamic traveling sequences, basic phrases, improvisation, and dance making, fostering a strong sense of alignment, rhythm, musical versatility, and freedom of expression.

Dancers will also take a daily ballet class to review the fundamentals of ballet technique learned in Levels 2-3 while rebuilding stamina and strength. Correct alignment, coordination, mobility, and conditioning for pointe will be emphasized in technique class. Pointe/pre-pointe exercises will be done to prepare students for returning to regular pointe practice and to continue developing their pointe technique. Students will learn a classical ballet variation to develop their artistry and musicality while learning about the art of storytelling in classical repertoire.

REGISTER TODAY

Join us for Spirits of Chesterwood on August 14, 15, 16, and 17 for an intergenerational dance project inspired by historic photographs of people, places, and captured moments on the Chesterwood grounds in Stockbridge!

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New 3-Week Samba Series with Luana Dias David!

Our 3-week Samba course with Luana Dias David starts tomorrow! Be sure to register before class.

All Levels – 13+

Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21

6:00-7:00pm 

Have fun and learn Samba together! Samba is a Brazilian ballroom dance characterized by its forward and back steps, tilting, and music in 4/4 time. Ideal for absolute beginners (no dance experience required) or beginner-level Samba students who want to refresh their basic skills. Areas covered include Rhythm History and Development.

REGISTER TODAY!

Spirits of Chesterwood

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August 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th at 5:30pm

Rain date: Sunday, August 18th

Audience on Chesterwood lawn watching one of the performances
Photo by: Eric Limon Photography

Spirits of Chesterwood is an intergenerational dance project created by six local choreographers in the Berkshire Pulse community. This roving, site-specific performance will be presented as a part of Chesterwood’s Arts Alive! series.

The performance will happen once each day, to allow an intimate group of audience members to follow the performers along the route. In case of rain, this show will be performed on Sunday, August 18. If more than one show gets cancelled, we will transfer tickets until we are at capacity and then refunds will be given. 

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Upcoming Summer Intensives

Dance Adventure Intensive – (July 22 – 26) ages 4 to 7

Hip Hop & Street Style Intensive – (July 29 – August 2) – ages 10 to adult

Musical Theater Intensive – (August 5 – August 10) – ages 10 to adult

*Registrations will be accepted until the Friday before each intensive.

REGISTER TODAY

Welcoming Our New Board Members

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As Pulse continues to grow, so does our Board of Directors!

Please help us welcome Kelly Baxter Spitz, Melissa Canavan, and Sylvana Proano to the Pulse family. You can learn more about them by going to our Board of Directors page!

Join us for Spirits of Chesterwood on August 14, 15, 16, and 17 at Chesterwood for an intergenerational dance project inspired by historic photographs of people, places, and captured moments on the Chesterwood grounds.

BUY TICKETS

Thank you to the Norman Rockwell Museum

We would like to thank the Norman Rockwell Museum for partnering with us for our Berkshire Pulse Intensive. Our dancers had the opportunity to spend two days at the museum, learning about the life and artwork of Norman Rockwell and creating choreography. The visit culminated with our students sharing three pieces they choreographed, each of which were inspired by a different Rockwell painting. Thank you especially to Kathryn Potts for helping us organize and Tara Johnston for providing an amazing tour. We loved being inspired by the art of Rockwell!

Welcoming our First Executive Director

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Dear Pulse Community,

I am writing to share exciting news – we have started planning for the future with an expansion initiative and have begun by hiring our first-ever Executive Director to accompany me in leadership of the organization. Abigail (Abi) Rollins will join Berkshire Pulse on July 15th!

Pulse has grown exponentially: increased community demand, regional expansion, and an ever-growing list of diverse offerings in the creative arts. Pulse will continue to expand in every way, and Abi will help us manage our growth in a way that stays true to our mission.

Abi Rollins joins Pulse from Berkshire Opera Festival, where she has served as Executive Director since 2019. Abi moved to the Berkshires from Boston, where she held the positions of General Manager and later Managing Director of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, for a total of nine years. She honed her many skills in arts administration through positions at Trisha Brown Dance Company, Lyric Stage Company, and Boston Ballet, among others. She has an MA in Arts Administration from Boston University, and a double-major undergraduate degree in Dance and Psychology from Kenyon College. 

At Pulse, Abi will drive strategic and business planning as well as development, and will oversee day-to-day operations including finance, administration, and facility operations. About the role, Abi said “I first began my career specifically with the aim of working with and supporting dance artists. Along the way, I have had many rewarding opportunities outside of dance, gaining real world experience and refining my skills as an arts administrator. I know this is the opportunity I’ve been working towards during my 20+ years of learning and working in dance and arts administration.” Abi first experienced Pulse in early 2023 when she started taking dance classes there after a long hiatus from dancing. She was immediately moved by the warmth and culture of respect for dancers of all abilities and ages and inspired to apply for the Executive Director position when we announced it earlier this winter. 

Our Board President Gail Belmuth said “Pulse has entered a new chapter of strategic growth, and Abi will help us manage that growth while also building for a sustainable future. She is a great addition to a wonderful team.”

While Abi and I will partner in many areas, having an experienced, collaborative partner means that I can turn my attention more fully to my role as Artistic Director, leading Pulse’s mission and artistic vision, curriculum development, and continuing standards of excellence in programming and performance.

Please join me in welcoming Abigail Rollins to the Pulse family!

My Very Best,

Bettina Montano

Artistic Director/Founder

Community Class Highlights

Community Modern – Intermediate+

With Madison Palffy

Intermediate – ages 14 to adult

📆Thursdays 6:00pm-7:30pm, June 6 – August 22 (no class July 4)

Drawing from a variety of modern dance traditions and techniques, this class emphasizes classwork which develops strength, alignment, agility, musicality and versatility of expression.

Classes consist of structured improvisation, inversions and floorwork, exercises to challenge rhythm and musicality, and phrases to encourage students to move in a full bodied physicality that travels through space.

REGISTER HERE

Thank you for another Incredible Spring Celebration!

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Thank you to all of our community members, teaching artists, families, and dancers who made our 2024 Spring Celebration a huge success! 

On May 25 & 26, 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

Indian Mountain School

Berkshire Waldorf School

The Triplex Cinema

Jacob’s Pillow

Gail Belmuth

Joan & Peter Coombs

Claudia & Joe Gold

Paula Kaplan-Reiss

Bruce Humes/Tall Tree Productions

Diane Pearlman & Jeff Diamond

Charles Ferris and Melissa Mishcon

We would also like to thank the wonderful parents who ran the Bake Sale Committee (and all the families who baked):

Sherri Greenbach, Nuri Héd, Aimee Maddalena, and Renannah Weinstein

Dance Adventure Program

(ages 4-7)

📅 Monday to Friday, July 22 – 26

🕞 9:00am-12:00pm

This program for our youngest dancers invites them on an expedition into the exciting, engaging, and rewarding world of dance. Classes will include creative dance, tumbling, drumming, and more! 

SIGN UP TODAY

Groovin’ with my Grown-Up

(for ages 10 months – 3 years with caregiver participation)

With Tricia DeSario

📅 Wednesdays, June 26th – July 24th

🕤 9:30am-10:30am

A playful and enriching movement experience for babies, toddlers, and their grownups! Led by Tricia DeSario, an instructor with a background in early childhood development and dance, this program is designed to align with the developmental milestones for ages 10 months-3 years of age.

SIGN UP TODAY

Dance with Me

(ages 18 months – 3 years with caregiver participation)

with Sarah Daunt

📅 Mondays, June 26th – August 5th (No class July 15th)

🕔 4:45pm – 5:30pm

This creative moving arts class engages children and adults through movement games and obstacle courses. Move and explore kinesthetic learning together. Percussion and other music selections will inspire freedom of expression and exploration of movement for all to enjoy. Bring home a new knowledge of moving through space while fostering and developing new physical and cognitive skills. Everyone is welcome to join in the dance party! 

SIGN UP TODAY

Pulse is in Performance Mode!

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Young Choreographer Performance Recap

GIF dancers performing in a dark room
Photos by Avida Love Photography

On Tuesday May 7th, the Young Choreographers Initiative and Young Choreographers Workshop performed an evening of their work at The Foundry in West Stockbridge.

We would like to congratulate the dancers on an incredible performance! We would also like to give a huge thank you to Amy Brentano and The Foundry for letting us perform at their beautiful venue and Susan Quinn for guiding these dancers.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the West Stockbridge Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as by Berkshire United Way and Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership. Thank you!

Musical Theater Performance Recap

Group of kids in yellow, blue, and red shirts doing their final bows.

Our Musical Theater Collective had an in-studio showing on May 11th, where they performed excerpts from the shows The Sound of Music, Railway Children, The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, and more!

Congratulations to the performers and the teachers, Teak Welch, Wendy Welch, and Tom Masters for an amazing show!

Soul Steps Recap

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group of students learning step dance

Maxine Lyle and Soul Steps (a NYC-based dance-theater company) came for a 3 week residency this Spring, teaching the art of African Step Dance to over 100 adults, teens, and youth at Pittsfield High School, Taconic High School, and Berkshire Pulse.

The program consisted of 5 core elements: in-school classes, in-school sharing, studio time for Soul Steps to develop their work, a free community workshop, and a free presentation of excerpts of Step Show: The Musical, highlighting work that was developed during this residency. A student participant reflected, “I wouldn’t change anything. I feel that they are a perfect group.”

We’re so grateful to have this partnership with Soul Steps, which is made possible by NEA Challenge America and a private donor. Thank you!

Creative Movement Residency Recap

Pulse Teaching Artist Molly Hess offered 3 weeks of Creative Dance to Richmond elementary students, featuring a 10-15 minute structured warm up, and lessons that explored dance concepts focusing on Place, Pathway, Relationship, and also bringing in other concepts like level, speed, pattern, and body parts.

Thank you to the amazing students for being so open, creative, and hard working! Everyone had a lot of fun each week and retained a lot from previous weeks, really allowing them to make more complex choices with their explorations.

This program was funded by the Richmond Consolidated Schools and Richmond Education Enrichment Fund. Thank you!

You’re Invited to our Annual Spring Celebration!

Posted on by Max

Tickets are on sale now for our Spring Celebration, taking place on May 25 & 26 at the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock.

All tickets are general admission, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you will need to purchase tickets to attend a performance, even if a child of yours is performing in the show. If you prefer not to purchase tickets online, please email berkshire.pulse@gmail.com so our staff can make arrangements with you to purchase tickets in-person/over the phone. All proceeds from the Spring Celebration will benefit the Pulse Tuition Assistance program!

*Online ticket sales are open until midnight the night before each performance. Limited tickets may be available at the door, but each performance is expected to sell out and families are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

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Innovate, Inspire, Dance!

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Berkshire Pulse invites you on Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm to The Foundry for an evening of innovative & inspired dance created and performed by the 2023/2024 members of the Berkshire Pulse Young Choreographers Workshop and Young Choreographers Initiative

This program is a fundraiser for our Diane Pearlman Young Choreographers Initiative Scholarship.

Launched in 2023, this scholarship underwrites the Young Choreographers Initiative tuition for all students, as well as the senior choreography project, providing graduating dancers with the studio space, professional mentorship, and production support needed for the senior solo creative process. Choreographic exploration and process is an essential component of the Pulse Youth Performing Arts Program curriculum, incorporated into classwork beginning at age 6 and continuing with increasing intention as students progress throughout the levels.  

Can’t make the presentation? Support the Diane Pearlman Young Choreographers Initiative Scholarship here.

LEARN MORE & BUY TICKETS!

Come Shake Your Soul!

Shake Your Soul®

with Madeline Despres-Chen

Shake Your Soul® is a movement practice that relaxes the nervous system, energizes the body, and awakens the soul through a fluid dance repertoire set to music from around the world. All levels welcome!

Class typically begins with a Qi Gong warm up followed by movement sequences that help you connect with your fluid nature. The final portion of the class includes creative exercises that allow for individual expression, solo exploration, and moving in pairs or with the group. This class is about feeling and embodying, not about how you or your movement looks. Participants are encouraged to adjust any movement that is offered according to their own needs and level of comfort.

All Levels – Ages 18+ – 📆Thursdays – 5:30 – 6:30pm & 📆Fridays – 9:00 – 10:00am

SIGN UP TODAY!

Thank You Soul Steps!

This past Saturday, April 6th Soul Steps concluded their 3-week artist residency with Berkshire Pulse by teaching a step class and sharing excerpts of their work with our community. During their residency, the company reached approximately 70 students at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School, leaving a lasting impact on the students. We are incredibly thankful to the Soul Step artists for their care, energy, and inspiration, and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership next year. Thank you so much, Maxine, Destiny, Daisha, Brandon, and Mark!

Step and Stretch into Spring!

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Soul Steps is offering a free Community Workshop and informal presentation of excerpts from their musical “Step Show: The Musical” for ages 10 and up from 1:00-3:00pm on Saturday, April 6th!

Soul Steps is a NYC-based dance-theater company founded in 2005, dedicated to teaching and performing African American step dance. They are in residence at Berkshire Pulse for 3 weeks while they teach step dance in the Pittsfield Public Schools and develop their new musical about the history of step dance.

Want to be a part of the Spring Celebration? Consider becoming a sponsor! Sponsorships help fund our Tuition Assistance Program, which make educational and empowering arts experiences accessible to all.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

Yoga is Stretching Out until May!

All Levels Yoga: Lunar New Year’s Series

with Bethany Trozzo

A weekly class series to help students explore their mind-body connection through foundational yoga postures, sequences, and breathing exercises. Focus is on creating safe alignment, cultivating body awareness, and relaxation.

Postures introduced and practiced will include: Sun salutations A/B, chair, downward facing dog, warrior 1 & 2, balancing poses, mountain, spinal twists, savasana, Ujjayi breath, and others. Class themes will focus on connecting with the energy of the Lunar New Year, Year of the Wood Dragon.

Please bring your own yoga mat.

Ages 18+

 📆Tuesdays March 26th – May 7th

🕕5:45pm – 6:45pm

Berkshire Pulse