Jump Into Jump Start

Posted on August 6, 2024August 6, 2024 by Max

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!

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!

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

Spend your Summer Dancing!

Posted on February 15, 2024February 21, 2024 by Max

Berkshire Pulse is excited to have summer dance intensives for ages 4 to 18 running June through August, alongside community classes for dancers of all ages!

Our offerings range in style and genre, from contemporary and choreography, to musical theater, hip hop, and more. Scroll to see all our intensives or check out our website.

Pre-registration is open! Save your spot and start your dream summer today!

PRE-REGISTER HERE!

Summer Intensives

🔎Dance Discovery (Ages 8-13)

📅 Monday to Friday, June 24 – 28

🕘 9am – 3pm; 9am – 12pm (half day)

This intensive has a half-day option for dancers ages 8-9.

An exciting journey into the engaging and rewarding world of dance, this one-week program provides an introduction to dance forms including ballet, modern, African, and more. Dancers will also have a chance to practice dance-making of their own!

🎶Berkshire Pulse Intensive (Ages 11+)

📅 Monday to Friday, July 8 – 20

🕘 9am – 4pm

Second week, Monday to Saturday, 9am – 4pm

This two-week program allows dancers ages 11+ to develop excellence in technique, as well as versatility and collaboration in the creative process. Daily classes will include ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, swing, salsa, and flamenco. Dancers will explore dance-making through partnering and improvisation. Plus, field trips to local partnering organizations. For students with at least two years of prior dance training.

🚀Dance Adventure (Ages 4-7)

📅 Monday to Friday, July 22 – 26

🕘 9am – 12pm (half day)

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!

👟Hip Hop and Street Style (Ages 10+)

📅 Monday to Friday, July 29 – August 2

🕘 9am – 3:30pm

In this week-long program, dancers will 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.

🎭Musical Theater (Ages 10+)

📅 Monday to Saturday, August 5 – 10

🕘 9am – 3pm

This week-long program gives students the opportunity to jump right into the world of musical theater 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, participating in an ensemble, and more. The program directors will work with students to produce an informal performance for the final day of the program.

💃🏾Movement Lab: A Workshop in Professional Practice w/ Joe Poulson and Isadora Wolfe (Ages 17+)

📅 Monday to Saturday, August 12 – 16

🕙10am – 3pm

Advanced teens and undergrad students 17+, adults with advanced contemporary experience

In this week long intensive, student artists will be immersed in the experience of a dance company: challenging morning class imparting new skills, honing technique, and full-bodied dancing. Followed by an afternoon of process: Joe and Isadora will guide and direct the “company” through various tasks involving dynamic phrases, improvisation and mini-modules using contemporary, contact and physical theater practices. The emphasis is on the process, and sharing the information that Joe and Isadora have acquired through their years of experience inside companies and as makers in their own right. Expect to end each day sweaty, spent, inspired and filled up.

Starting in 2024, Berkshire Pulse is implementing a $20 non-refundable registration fee for our summer intensives. This charge covers administrative needs and is only charged once per student. If you register for multiple intensives, you will only pay one registration fee per student.

Let dance keep you warm!

Posted on January 16, 2024January 18, 2024 by Teak

Stay warm with dance this winter during one of our winter intensives!

Ballet Winter Intensive with Hillary Jackson and Vincent Brewer

for ages 11 to adult

📅 February 23-25

Open to dancers enrolled in Ballet 2-4 and beginner/intermediate adults.

When Paths Cross: Contemporary Dance, Theater, and Soft Acrobatics with Fern Katz and Ricardo Paz

for ages 14 to adult

📅 February 23-25

Open to dancers ages 14+ and intermediate/advanced adults.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WINTER INTENSIVES

Save the dates! Our summer intensive schedule is live on our website. Registration will open in February.

SUMMER 2024

Community Classes for You

Want to take multiple classes in one day? Here’s a schedule for you to pick and choose from!

Tuesday Evening Classes

Get movin’ and groovin’ with Madison Palffy in Dance Moves & Grooves, relax in Yoga with Bethany Trozzo, and finish out the night with your tap shoes for Community Tap with Teak Welch.

Wednesday Evening Classes

Start your Wednesday learning to sing and act in Community Musical Theater with Wendy Welch. Then, take Bettina Montano’s Community Modern for Beginners.

Thursday Evening Classes

Get in touch with yourself in Shake Your Soul with Madeline Depres-Chen. Later, you can grab a partner in Swing with Brianne Szymanski (no partners required)!

Are you a morning person? Classes for you:

Community Modern with Bettina Montano at 9am on Tuesdays
Shake Your Soul with Madeline Depres-Chen at 9am on Fridays
Tai Chi with Berkshire Tai Chi at 9:30am on Fridays
Community Ballet with Shannon Nulf at 9:30am on Saturdays

We Met the Match!

Posted on January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 by Teak

Together, we met our matching gift challenge! You helped us raise over $15,000 for the Tuition Assistance Program in less than 3 weeks!

Thank you to Alander Construction and everyone in our incredible community who donated to match their generous gift.

You can still give to our Tuition Assistance Program for 2024 and continue to help us make our programming accessible to all people!

SUPPORT TUITION ASSISTANCE

Start Your New Year with Dance
Registration for our Spring session is underway! Be sure to check out our offerings and sign up.

Community Classes begin on January 8, and Youth Performing Arts Program Classes begin on January 16.

CHOOSE YOUR CLASSES

New Community Classes

We are excited to have returning favorites and new classes in 2024! Learn more about our Community Classes for Teens and Adults by clicking the button below.

Community Classes begin next week, unless otherwise noted.

VIEW CLASSES + REGISTER

Dance Moves & Grooves with Madison Palffy

📅 Tuesdays
🕓 4:15-5:30pm
For beginner movers ages 16+

Community Modern with Bettina Montano

📅 Wednesdays
🕡 6:45-7:45pm
For beginner movers ages 16+

Yoga Series with Bethany Trozzo

📅 Tuesdays, January 30 to March 12
🕠 5:45-6:45pm
For all levels ages 16+

Spring Registration is Open!

Posted on December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 by Teak

Registration for our Spring session is underway! Be sure to check out our offerings and sign up.

Community Classes begin on January 8, and Youth Performing Arts Program Classes begin on January 16.

VIEW AND REGISTER HERE

Double your gift!

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.

GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE

Annual Report cover page. Two young dancers oustide.

NEW in 2024: Winter Intensives

Ballet Intensive
with Hillary Jackson and Vincent 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 and Ricardo 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.

Don’t Miss: Berkshire Pulse Dancers at NightWood

Nighttime picture at The Mount — @ericlimonphotography

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

TICKETS

In-School & Community Program Spotlight

Five teen students in a school classroom.

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.

We are grateful for YOU!

Posted on November 15, 2023November 15, 2023 by Teak

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.

HOW YOU MAKE AN IMPACT

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.

You can read more about Native American Heritage Month at the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness.

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

FRIDAY HIP HOP & STREET STYLE SERIES
📅 Fridays
🕕 6:15pm

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+

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+

Thank you Teaching Assistants!

Posted on November 2, 2023November 1, 2023 by Teak

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!

VOTE FOR PULSE

In-School Program Spotlight

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.

Galush holding a synthesizer with blue and pink lights on him.

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!

Join our Dances of Africa Class

Does your child love rhythm, music, and dance? Do you want to add or join a dance class this fall? It’s not too late!

Join us for our upcoming DANCES OF AFRICA class!
📅 Tuesdays beginning November 7
🕛 4:45-5:45pm

This class is for ages 8-10, with Nkoula Badila and Angel Lau.

There’s still time to register if you haven’t yet.

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