Team Group: Teaching Artists

Prashad Abeysinghe is a Latin Dance instructor and event organizer by night; Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center Aquatics Director by day. Prashad and his fellow “BSKE Dance Community” instructors have been teaching weekly dance lessons and host dance socials in the Berkshires. BSKE stands for Bachata, Salsa, Kizomba, Etc.!

Nkoula Badila ~*~ A multitalented artist/healer born into a traditional Congolese dancing and drumming Family. Nkoula grew up performing these dances with her nine siblings at schools, community centers, block party’s and beyond, spreading the true beauty of her Kongolese culture for the world to see. Her family continues to share these gifts, teaching traditional dance and drum classes, storytelling, community theatre, and leading craft workshops. She is also part of a traveling Cosmic soul band “Ladymoon and the Eclipse” with two of her sisters. Nkoula also makes her own music (Nkodia) inspired by the traditional polyrhythmic Melodies from her homeland, and she is also the creator of her jewelry business also named “Nkodia” making custom handmade healing Adornments for people. You can find her Adornments online at www.nkodia.art. The name NKODIA symbolizes the spiral and honors the patience of the outward process like the snail.

During our class sessions we will be learning different Traditional dances of Ancestral Africa, accompanied by live percussion. These movements will be celebratory of the celebration of life. The students will learn Dances of cultivation, rights of passage, cleansing, dance of warriors, and welcoming in royalty. We will weave in the lessons of the day and share reflections from what we learned to support a wholesome experience of the class.

Shakia Barron is a choreographer, performer, and dance educator whose work is rooted in the African Diaspora, focusing on Hip-Hop, House and other African diasporic dance forms. She graduated with her MFA in Choreography at Wilson College, she holds an Associate’s degree in dance and psychology from Dean College, a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Westfield State University, and she received the National Dance Institute’s teaching artist certificate in 2009.

Barron has choreographed and directed more than 50 Hip-Hop, modern, African and lyrical works that have been performed at Trenton Education Dance Institute, Rider University, the Princeton School of Ballet, Bates Dance Festival and Jacob’s Pillow. She has performed for numerous Hip-Hop events and has opened for concerts by Fat Joe, Jadakiss, 112, Charlie Baltimore, and Kima from “Total” and Omarion.

Chelsea Beatty (she/her) is a teacher, performer, and nonprofit leader who moved to the Berkshires in 2022. Chelsea trained as a classical soprano, with degrees in vocal performance from The Boston Conservatory and University of Colorado Boulder. For the past two decades, she has performed opera, musical theater, and contemporary art music on stages across the Boston area and beyond. Favorite past roles including Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress, Mimì in La Bohème, the title role in Suor Angelica, Mary Warren in The Crucible, and Charlotte in A Little Night Music. Chelsea is a two-time district finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, in 2013 in the Colorado/Wyoming District and in 2015 in the Boston District. 

Chelsea joined the faculty of The Boston Conservatory from 2014 to 2018, teaching voice for dance and contemporary theater majors. Concurrent with her musical pursuits, Chelsea developed a career in nonprofit leadership, serving as General Director of Boston Opera Collaborative and on the marketing staff of Boston Ballet. Today, Chelsea teaches private voice lessons at Berkshire Music School and out of her home studio. She also serves on the board of Berkshire Concert Choir and leads the choir at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire.

Joanne Bockemuehl was born and raised in Germany. Her flamenco journey began in 1995 with Regina Martinez in Madrid, at Amor de Dios, alongside Ciro and Carmela Greco. In 2014, she immigrated to Great Barrington, MA, and established a flamenco program at her local dance studio, which she taught to both adults and children.

She is an alumnus of the Spanish Dance and Flamenco Program at Jacobs Pillow (2019) and currently a participant of the Artist Development program with Flamenco Vivo in NY (2020-2022). Last year she was chosen as a finalist for the US Flamenco Certamen and performed at the Bruno Walter auditorium NY City.

She is a teaching artist/choreographer at Berkshire Pulse in Great Barrington, MA, and a teacher at the Berkshire Waldorf School.

Bailo desde hace 30 años. Me gradué de maestra de danza en la escuela nacional de danza Morena Celarie en el año 2000. Soy instructora de aeróbicos y entrenadora personal, y trabajé en compañías internacionales de danza latina y en la compañía internacional Zamiras Belly dance. Estudié un año en Jacob’s Pillow y cada día me esfuerzo por aprender más sobre la danza. Trabajé como maestra de ballet en 18 degrees y ahora formé un grupo de niñas llamado latín dance con el fin de que la danza sea accesible para todos.

I have danced for 30 years. I graduated as a dance teacher at the national dance school Morena Celarie in 2000. I am an aerobics instructor and personal trainer, and I worked in international Latin dance companies and the international company Zamiras Belly Dance. I studied one year at Jacob’s Pillow, and every day I strive to learn more about dance. Recently, I have worked as a ballet teacher at 18 degrees, and now I formed a group called Latin Dance with the goal that dance is accessible for everyone.

Madisyn Boussie (she/her) is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, whose work is centered around engaging and uplifting the community through the art of dance. Madisyn graduated from Oakland University in April of 2022, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a Minor in Business. During her time at Oakland University, she was a member of the Oakland University Repertory Dance Company and trained under the direction of Gregory Patterson, Thayer Jonutz, Ali Woernor, Jennifer Harge, Teresa Muller, Elizabeth Riga, Stephanie Pizzo, and Christina Tasco, among others. While completing her undergraduate studies, Madisyn had the opportunity to perform in works created by professional companies in residency at Oakland University, including both Take Root Dance Company and Eisenhower Dance Detroit. Not only this, but Madisyn has received training from outside choreographers including DIAVOLO, Bailey Allshouse, Frederick Davis, Ivan Ivanovich, Lauren Anderson, and more. 

Alongside completing her undergraduate studies, Madisyn served as the student-body president for Oakland University’s Department of Dance and was a student-intern for Take Root Dance Company. Upon graduating from Oakland University, Madisyn was a company member with Suttle Dance Company, a professional modern-based dance company located in Novi, MI for the 2022-2023 season. Her work entitled Not Then, Not Now, Not Ever premiered at the American College Dance Association’s East-Central Region Conference in March 2022 and was most recently selected to be shown at the Detroit Dance City Festival taking place in September 2023. Currently, Madisyn serves as the School Programs Coordinator at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and is excited to enter her second year as a Teaching Artist at Berkshire Pulse!

Mustapha Braimah is a distinguished artist-scholar from Ghana, West Africa, with an impressive career
spanning over two decades of international experience and high artistic acclaim. His lifelong
commitment to the arts encompasses a multifaceted role as a choreographer, educator, curator,
performer, musician, and administrator, underscoring his versatility and dedication to diverse realms
of artistic expression. He has a robust academic background, holding three degrees that underscore
his expertise in dance-making, performance, and cultural studies. Mustapha earned his Master of Fine
Arts (M.F.A.) in Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he honed his skills and
deepened his understanding of choreography, pedagogy, and performance. His academic journey
continued with a Master of Arts (M.A.) in African Studies from Ohio University, further enriching his
understanding of the global contexts in which his art is rooted. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of
Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance from the University of Ghana, Legon, which provided the foundational
stones for his artistic pursuits in dance. He is a Co-Founder of Osagyefo Dance Company in
Washington, DC, and an educational consultant in Ghana, West Africa, and Botswana, South Africa.

Mustapha is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Mount Holyoke College, where he contributes to the
academic and artistic development of the next generation of dancers, educators, and performers. He
is also a faculty member of the Five College Consortium, which enables him to engage with a broader
community of artists and scholars across several institutions. His academic work is defined by a
commitment to teaching, mentorship, and fostering an inclusive environment where creativity
flourishes and students thrive. Prior to his current position, he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor
and Director of the Dance Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. His dynamic
teaching methods and artistic vision were pivotal in shaping the dance curriculum and inspiring
students. His influence extended beyond the classroom, as he was actively involved in community
outreach programs, recruitment efforts, and performance initiatives.

For over ten years, he has been a dedicated member of Azaguno Inc., directed by Paschal Yao Younge
and Zelma Badu-Younge. He has not only contributed to the organization’s artistic endeavors but has
also toured extensively, bringing his work to audiences locally and internationally. His performances
showcase the richness of African cultural heritage while integrating contemporary and popular dance
elements, creating a unique tapestry of movement that resonates with diverse audiences. Mustapha’s
artistic practice is community- and student-centered, reflecting a deep commitment to exploring the
intersections of dance forms. His creativity is rooted in contemporary, popular, and traditional styles,
which he blends seamlessly to produce innovative works that challenge conventions. Using a range of
virtuosic approaches, including improvisation, he promotes the integration of 21st-century skills and
fosters an environment where creativity can flourish. Through his work, he contributes to the world
of dance and engages in broader cultural dialogues, enhancing our understanding of the role of the
arts in society.

Christine Breton is a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certified
Group Fitness Instructor with a specialization in Senior Fitness. Christine has been participating in various forms of athletics and fitness since childhood, including gymnastics, ballet, yoga, running,
aerobics and strength training. She has earned a Kukkiwon World Taekwondo
Headquarters 2nd degree Black Belt from Martial Arts Institute of the Berkshires,
and is currently working toward her 3rd. She is excited to bring her lifelong
enthusiasm for fitness to Pulse, using a variety of music and movements to help
you stay fit and healthy for life!

Vincent Brewer, a native of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, trained at Berkshire Pulse and Albany Berkshire Ballet and continued his dance studies at Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ballet with an Outside Field in Religious Studies. Vincent danced professionally with Festival Ballet Providence, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Island Moving Company, and Albany Berkshire Ballet. He has performed choreography by George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, and August Bournonville and originated roles by Tony Williams, Mark Harootian, and Janelle Gilchrist. Vincent is a certified ABT National Training Curriculum Teacher, Levels Pre-Primary-3, and a 200-Hour Kripalu Yoga certified teacher. He has taught ballet, yoga, and outreach dance at various locations, including Berkshire Pulse, Festival Ballet Providence, and Berkshire South. Vincent earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mount Holyoke College in 2021 and teaches French at Taconic High School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in addition to performing and teaching dance.