Spirits of Chesterwood

Posted on July 3, 2024July 9, 2024 by Max

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.

BUY TICKETS

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.

Thank you for another Incredible Spring Celebration!

Posted on June 5, 2024June 4, 2024 by Max

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!

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.

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!

Pulse is in Performance Mode!

Posted on May 16, 2024May 16, 2024 by Max

Young Choreographer Performance Recap

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!

You’re Invited to our Annual Spring Celebration!

Posted on April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 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!

Posted on April 10, 2024April 10, 2024 by Max

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

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!

Posted on March 26, 2024March 25, 2024 by Max

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

Save the Date for our Annual Spring Celebration!

Posted on March 13, 2024March 12, 2024 by Max

We’re pleased to announce our annual Spring Celebration will take place on May 25 & 26 at the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock.

The Spring Celebration will showcase the work of our Youth Performing Arts Program students, as well as alumni and teachers. 100% of the proceeds from these performances will benefit our Tuition Assistance program.

More information on the performance and ticket sales coming soon!

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Congratulations Bettina!

Bettina has been chosen by the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for the Women in Leadership Change Maker Award!

The recipients were selected from more than 90 nominations by a non-Board sub-committee, in conjunction with the SBCC Board Programs Committee and then submitted to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Congratulations Bettina, and all the wonderful leaders in our community who were nominated and awarded this year!

Share Your Love for Berkshire Pulse

Posted on October 18, 2023October 11, 2023 by Teak

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!

VOTE FOR PULSE

Upcoming Community Classes & Workshops

We’re excited to have new classes and workshops for teens and adults beginning in October and November.

FRIDAY HIP HOP & STREET STYLE SERIES
📅 Fridays
🕕 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. For ages 16 to adult

Then, come dance with Dashawn Davis on November 17 and Shakia Barron in December and January from 6:15-7:45pm! For ages 12 to adult

ABSOLUTE BEGINNER FLAMENCO SERIES
📅Mondays in November
🕤9:30am

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+

COMMUNITY WORLD PERCUSSION
📅Tuesdays starting November 7
🕕6pm

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.

DUNHAM TECHNIQUE SERIES
📅Thursdays during Community Modern starting November 9
🕕6pm

Explore Dunham Technique, an Afro-Modern dance technique, with Saroya Corbett in this special series. For beginner and intermediate dancers ages 14+

VIEW ALL COMMUNITY CLASSES

Wacky Wednesday Workshops

a rotating workshop series with classes for all levels

Join us for 3 weeks of Salsa with Luana Dias David, as part of our rotating workshop series with guest teaching artists.

WACKY WEDNESDAY SERIES

for ages 12 to adult

📅 Wednesdays

🕡 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!

Youth Classes Starting Soon

There are a few classes starting next week in our Youth Performing Arts Program.

DANCE FOUNDATIONS 2
for ages 10-13
📅Mondays starting October 23
🕠5:25-6:25pm

DANCE FOR BOYS
for ages 10-13
📅Wednesdays starting October 25
🕓4-5:30pm

Coming soon: DANCES OF AFRICA
for ages 8-10
📅Tuesdays starting November 7
🕟4:45-5:45pm

PUSH THE BUTTON

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

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).