Important dates for Spring 2025 Registration!
Friday, December 6 at 11am: Spring 2025 Schedule posted (view-only)
Monday, December 9 to Saturday, December 14: Priority Re-Registration for returning Fall 2024 students only
Monday, December 16: Online registration opens for everyone!

Moving Life Stories Returns

Para leer sobre este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

Moving Life Stories (MLS) is a creative movement class created for and geared toward the Berkshire immigrant population and their allies. MLS provides opportunities to share personal journeys, stories, and connections to places past and present through movement games, exercises, dancing, and community building.  

We’re excited to announce two series of Moving Life Stories Workshops in 2023 – one at the South Berkshire Friends Meeting House in Great Barrington and another at the Pittsfield YMCA.

In this series of workshops, we will learn various ways to tell and embody our stories through play, creative movement, and the creation of mini-dances. No prior movement experience is required, and the class is appropriate for all ages.

A Spanish-speaking interpreter will be present, childcare is provided, and transportation can be arranged. 

SOUTH COUNTY SERIES:

📅 Fridays February 3 – March 24
🕕 6-8pm

South Berkshire Friends Meeting House
📍280 State Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230

PITTSFIELD SERIES:

📅 Tuesdays April 4 – May 23
🕕 6-8pm

Berkshire Family YMCA – Pittsfield Branch
📍292 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201

This program is made possible by the generosity of Mass Cultural Council, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Lee Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and TD Bank Charitable Foundation, as well as Dalton Cultural Council, Mount Washington Cultural Council, New Marlborough Cultural Council, Otis Cultural Council, Sheffield Cultural Council, and Washington Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.


Try a New Class This Year

Greek and Egyptian Belly Dance with Myrto Daskaloudi

📅 Beginning this Saturday, January 21
🕑 2-3:15pm

Open level; ages 12+

Rooted in community, celebration, expression, history, and culture, this class series will introduce students to regional dances of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, as well as terminology of movements, identification of rhythms, and traditional instruments.

Community Jazz: Jazz’n with Jones with Holly Jones

📅 Wednesdays
🕢 5:45-7:15pm

Ages 13 to adult

Jazz’n with Jones’ is a high energy, feel good class that draws inspiration from many styles and techniques. The class includes elements of improvisation, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, and modern jazz dance. This class will investigate stylization and technique with a sense of humor and curiosity. 

Intermediate Swing with Brianne Szymanski

📅 Wednesdays
🕢 7:30-8:30pm

Ages 16 to adult

Explore more complex movement patterns that establish the foundations of Lindy Hop as a social, vernacular jazz dance. Boost your confidence to hit the dance floor and have fun, while celebrating the music, movement, and spirit of Swing Dance!

Rewriting Relationships with our Female Body with Erica Rodas

📅 Every Second Monday of the Month
Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8, and June 12
🕖 7:15-8:15pm

Ages 18+

This class guides women to the truth and knowing within their own body, allowing participants to unhook from past patterns or the shame, pain, and disconnect collected from life experiences in order to know themselves in a radically new way. 


Our Studios Are Buzzing with Summer Intensives!

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

  • We are just wrapping up a fun, engaging, and challenging week of our Dance Discovery session.   
  • Our Hip Hop Intensive begins next week, which we couldn’t be more excited about. (Want to join? Scroll down for more info.) 
  • Our Contemporary Intensive starts on July 18th. Due to popular demand, we’ve decided to open up our Contemporary Intensive—as well as our August Ballet Intensive—to adults who are willing to commit to the entire program. If you’re interested, please feel welcome! 

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

SPECIAL OFFER!

Adult dancers (18+) can now join individual morning or afternoon classes from the summer Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip Hop/Street Styles Intensives!

This is a great option for adult dancers who can’t commit to a full day program, but crave a semi-intensive dance experience. Participants are required to commit to the daily class for the entire duration of the week or 2-week intensive. 

THIS SUNDAY! Authentic Movement Workshop

Sunday July 10th, 1-4:30pm

with Paula Josa-Jones

Authentic Movement is a meditative, intuitive, improvisational movement practice involving a mover and a witness. It is a practice of listening, attunement; slowing and opening to a deeper sensing of body and psyche. It was developed by dancer and psychotherapist Mary Starks Whitehouse, who, following her work with Carl Jung, became curious about moving without intention, or the practice of “waiting to be moved.” 

This simple meditation will provide the container for this workshop for both experienced movers and those who are new to this practice.

STARTS NEXT WEEK! Hip Hop & Street Style Intensive

July 11-15th, 8am-3pm, ages 12-adult

Taught by Andres RamirezKing CharlesKelli Forman, and Jackson Whalan

In this week-long program, students will learn foundational movements and techniques of hip-hop and street style, alongside the cultural meaning and significance of these moves.

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. Styles will include beginner’s breaking, party grooves, and footwork. 

NOTE: The Celebration Jam and All-Styles Battle has been moved to Friday July 15th at 1pm.

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Classes + Guest Artists!

*Photo credit for featured image: Susan Quinn

Berkshire Pulse