Dr. Jerome F. Errico is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician practicing in Lenox, Massachusetts. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; a doctoral degree in chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College; a master’s degree in human nutrition from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is certified in hypnotherapy from the American Hypnosis Association. Dr. Errico is also a Consulting Gerson Physician, having studied the Gerson Therapy for nutritional oncology under Charlotte Gerson at the Gerson Institute in San Diego, California.
Archives: Team Members
Team Members
Charles J. Ferris
Charles Ferris has been a practicing attorney in Massachusetts and New York for 35 years. After graduating from St. John’s School of Law he served as a law clerk to the Justices of the New York Supreme Court. He then served as a Litigation Associate in the New York City offices of Weil Gotshal & Manges, where he represented major corporations, banks and brokerage companies in complex lawsuits throughout the United States. Following that position he served as Assistant General Counsel to Bank Hapoalim where he was responsible for a large portfolio of commercial loan transactions and in-house litigation and labor law matters. He then served as Counsel to Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s International Realty, before opening his own practice in Berkshire County in 1993.
He obtained a Masters of Law (LL.M.) from New York University, and has taught law courses at New York School of Law and Western New England School of Law. He has served as a member of Great Barrington Rotary since 1995, and has been a member of its Board of Directors, Fund Raising Committee and Scholarship Committee for more than 10 years. He was a founding member and former Chairman of the Eagle Fund, which raises money for grants that foster academic excellence and enhanced educational experiences in the Southern Berkshire School District as well as a Grant Committee member of the Janet Fund, a privately endowed fund which provided funds for projects in the Southern Berkshire School District. Since 2008 he has also been a member of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Pulse, a not-for-profit corporation in Great Barrington which provides dance and performing arts classes for children and adults.
Laurie Freedman
Laurie Freedman began her dance training as student and later as assistant to renown modern dancer Jane Dudley. Laurie earned a BA in dance from Bennington College and MFA in Dance, Arts Administration, and Video-Production from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Laurie was invited to Israel to join the prestigious Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv. She lived Israel for 18 years, performing and touring with the company, as well as creating original choreography and teaching dance for performing arts venues throughout the country.
Upon returning to the USA, Laurie was invited to direct the dance program at the Millbrook School. She later developed a digital video program for the arts department, served as technical director of the theater and interim director of the school’s Holbrook Art Center. Laurie has received various grants and awards for her work in dance and video production. She serves on the Board of Directors of Berkshire Pulse and CTSBTV.
Aimee Gelinas, M.Ed.
Aimee Gelinas M.Ed is a musician and naturalist educator who has been performing and facilitating educational programs for over 25 years. She is a skilled percussionist and singer specializing in djembe, doun doun, conga, bongo, shekere and various percussion instruments. She co-founded and performs drumming and singing in the world music ensemble Gaia Roots (World Music/West African/Caribbean) and Trio Candela (Caribbean/Latin) and the rock band SIFER. She previously performed as a lead percussionist in the Cuban ensemble Iroko Nuevo for over 5 years. She teaches drumming throughout Western, MA and beyond and produces a yearly fundraiser event for Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, the Berkshire Drum and Dance Fest and leads her student drum performance ensembles: The Berkshire and Valley Rhythm Keepers. She co-founded and directs the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA a non-profit organization conserving 32 acres of boreal forest land that is dedicated to “Inspiring environmental and cultural awareness, appreciation and stewardship” by providing nature & drumming programs for all ages throughout Western MA and beyond. Aimee has traveled to West Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and throughout the US to perform and study percussion with master drummers including: Mamady Keita & Tam Tam Mandingue, Bolokada Conde, Namory Keita, Moussa Traore, Ismael Bangoura, M’Bemba Bangoura, Mague Sylla, Sidiki Sylla, Baros Gomis as well as Joe Platz, Raul “Lali” Gonzalez, Alexis Zayas, Pedrito Martinez, Titos Sompa, Frisner Augustin, master artists at the Conjunto Folkloriko in Havana and Los Munequitos de Matanzas and many more. She co-produced the 19-track CD Mother Drum by Gaia Roots featuring music from West Africa, the Caribbean and originals.
\You can reach Aimee at:
aimee@gaiaroots.com
www.tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.org
www.tamarackhollow.com
www.gaiaroots.com
www.sifer.net
Facebook Pages:
facebook.com/motherdrum (Gaia Roots)
facebook.com/tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter
facebook.com/triocandela
facebook.com/sifer
Alan Glackman, CPA
1948-2024
Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the recent passing of Alan Glackman, a beloved board member and treasurer of Berkshire Pulse.
Alan, alongside his wife Benés, was a long-time friend, donor, and unwavering advocate of our organization. Professionally, Alan was a trusted and highly-experienced CPA. His volunteer work outside of Pulse included being an active member, board member, and treasurer of the Great Barrington Rotary Club, further demonstrating his dedication to community service and leadership.
However, it was Alan’s love of dance, as well as his tireless efforts to provide advancement opportunities for youth, that best showcased his remarkable generosity and vision. He could be seen in the audience at every Spring Performance Celebration, and also served as Chair of Pulse’s Tuition Assistance Program which more than doubled under his leadership.
“Alan’s contributions as a friend and member of the BOD over the last 15 years is a part of everything Pulse is today. He was present and supportive through all of the trials and tribulations of building our studios and growing our organization. I will always remember his joy and his deep sense of pride and fulfillment after every performance. His kind and generous spirit will always be honored in all that we are and endeavor to be.” – Bettina Montano, Berkshire Pulse Founder and Artistic Director.
The entire Berkshire Pulse community mourns Alan’s loss, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, most especially his wife Benés. His deep commitment and kindness touched the lives of many, and his impact on our community will be felt for years to come.
Sincerely,
Gail Belmuth
President, Board of Directors
September 19th, 2024
Employment
Sobel, Glackman & Sobel, P.A. – 1971 to September 15, 2006
Admitted as a partner in 1978. Became Managing Partner in 1993.
Accounting, auditing and tax partner. Industry experience includes construction, manufacturing, retail, leisure, restaurant and professional practices including legal and medical.
Alan S. Glackman, C.P.A., P.C. – September 16, 2006 to present
Education
Graduate of Florida Atlantic University, B.S. from the College of Business and Public Administration, June 1970.
Successfully passed all parts of the Uniform CPA Examination in November 1975. MEMBER
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants
Boards and positions
Great Barrington Rotary Board Member and Treasurer
Great Barrington Rotary Student Assistance Fund and Treasurer
Berkshares Board Member and Treasurer – 2007-2013
Berkshire Pulse Board Member and Treasurer – Since 2013
Claudia Gold, MD
Claudia M. Gold, MD is a pediatrician and writer who practiced pediatrics for over 20 years and now specializes in early relational health. She has over 3 decades of clinical experience in a wide variety of communities and currently as an infant-parent consultant at Volunteers in Medicine, Berkshires. She was on the faculty of the UMass fellowship in Early Relational Health for ten years. Her new book is Getting to Know You: Lessons in Early Relational Health from Infants and Caregivers ( Teachers College Press, March 2025.) In addition to 3 other books she co-authored, with renowned infant researcher Ed Tronick, The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs in Relationships are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust ( Little, Brown Spark 2020). Dr. Gold speaks frequently to a variety of audiences including parents and professionals both in the US and around the world.
Jody Greene
Jody Green (they/them) has been a hip-hop fan since first hearing the song “What?” by A Tribe Called Quest playing out of their oldest brother’s maroon Nissan Maxima in 1991. They are a dancer and actor based in Great Barrington. Jody grew up dancing with their family and with CityKids- a youth performing arts group in New York City. They were part of Fusion Dance Company at Brown University where they studied West African dance with Seydou and Michelle Coulibaly. In New York City, they were part of the modern/African/hip-hop based Jamal Jackson Dance Company which performed at PS 21 in Chatham, NY and The Yard in Martha’s Vineyard. Jody has studied hip-hop dance with legends Brian “Footwork” Green, Jazzy J, Popmaster Fable, and Galen Hooks. They have taught hip-hop dance locally at Renaissance Arts Center, Lifeworks Studio, and Berkshire Arts Center. Jody also teaches private hip-hop and wedding dance lessons. They are very excited to be part of the Pulse community!
Ashley Hartka
Ashley Hartka received her dance degrees from SUNY Purchase (BALA, 1995) and the University of Colorado at Boulder (MFA, 2005). Ashley found her passion for teaching early on with Flowering Child long before it became Berkshire Pulse. She has since taught dance in multiple ways to a wide variety of populations, from teaching college students at the University of Colorado and at SUNY Albany; lower school students in NYC public schools; technique classes to many age groups in various local programs and studios; and movement exploration classes to teens and adults in community settings, both indoors and out.
Ashley greatly enjoys the choreographic process, movement exploration, improvisation, and the art of movement in the everyday. She has been choreographing and performing in her own work and has had the privilege to perform in works by great artists such as Trisha Brown, Martha Graham, Kevin Wynn, Michelle Ellsworth and Gabe Masson, Sondra Loring, Sarah Stackhouse, among many others. She has been a member of a dance collective that performed many site-specific and cross collaborative works. Additionally, she has been involved in a movement lab, a Contemplative Dance Practice and an improvisational group with wonderful movement artists. Ashley is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance to her young students again this year.
Molly Hess
Molly Hess is a Berkshires, MA based choreographer, dancer, educator, and art’s administrator who creates playful and tender work meant to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. She is dedicated to teaching dance with a focus on creativity and process. Molly currently teaches at Studio North Dance Arts. She previously taught with Together in Dance, WR Arts, Cambridge Performance Project, Dance in the Schools, and Dance Place. Molly has a B.A. in dance from St. Olaf College, a certificate in Brain-Compatible Dance education from Creative Dance Center, and is currently part of the 21-22 Jacobs Pillow Curriculum in motion cohort.
Molly has had her choreography presented all around the US including: Plant Connector (MA), Movement Research (NY), Links Hall (IL), AS220 (RI), The Dance Complex (MA), Mascher Space Coop (PA), and Denmark arts Center (ME). Molly is half of The Picnic Sisters, an ongoing collaboration with Eliza Malecki and is a member of the North Adams artist collective Commonfolk. She is passionate about intergenerational dance connection and was a member of two Boston based intergenerational companies, Back Pocket Dancers and PB&J Dance Company. She is also the associate director of an arts and nature based non-profit, Bearnstow on Parker Pond.
Mackenzie Hoffman
Mackenzie Hoffman (she/they) is an arts educator, director, and choreographer based in the Berkshires. Originally from Dayton, OH, Mack found a love of performing early and was put in musical theatre as a result. Mack holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from West Virginia University and has worked professionally in both the theatre and arts education fields her whole adult life. Working for children’s theatres all over the country, Mackenzie strives to help create the next generation of well-rounded artists.
At Pulse, Mackenzie is stepping into the role of Youth Performing Arts Program Coordinator and is very excited to hit the ground running! Berkshire Pulse has felt like home since the first class they took as a community student. She teaches in the jazz program, assisting Jazz 2/3 and teaching Jazz 3/4, as well as the Musical Theatre Collective. They love sharing her knowledge with the students at Pulse who are always eager to learn and grow.
When not at work, Mack loves reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and cuddling with her two kitties, Fig and Greg!