Our History

Berkshire Pulse began as the Flowering Child Performing Arts Program in 1995 at the Eden Hill Recreation Center in Stockbridge, MA. That facility and its proprietors, the Congregation of Marians, provided a strong and supportive base from which the program grew and flourished, serving nearly 2,000 participants over its ten year residency.

In September 2004, when the Eden Hill Recreation Center closed, Flowering Child founder, Bettina Montano, formed Berkshire Pulse with the intention of continuing and expanding the programming that had been offered at the Eden Hill. In 2005 Berkshire Pulse took up residency in the historic Barbieri Mill building in Housatonic, renovated the space to create two beautiful dance studios and increased the program’s educational offerings.

Like Flowering Child, Berkshire Pulse, now in it's third year, continues to offer an extensive interdisciplinary dance curriculum with a wide range of programming from classical ballet to international dance and music forms. Local and visiting artists hailing from as nearby as New York and Boston and as far as West Africa comprise our dedicated faculty, offering diverse cultural enrichment programs and professional-level training.

The steady growth of enrollment reflects that Berkshire Pulse fills a critical, local need for performing arts education. As a result, Berkshire Pulse’s youth programs have grown to include an extensive, after school performing arts program, summer dance intensives, master classes and workshops, and out-reach programs led by guest artists in local schools, institutions and other community-based venues.

Our Mission

Berkshire Pulse is dedicated to building and strengthening community life through diverse and accessible programming in performing and movement arts. By promoting the participation in these vital, educational activities, we enrich the lives of families and individuals of all ages.

Our Vision

Berkshire Pulse's vision is to create vibrant learning experiences in all of the performing arts. Berkshire Pulse plans to broaden its commitment to accessible performing arts education through the expansion of both its on-site and in-school programs. Additionally, we look forward to the creation of theater arts program and community dance company.

Berkshire Pulse will continue to offer space to groups and individuals in related professions, and will facilitate residencies for local and visiting artists.

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"I draw constantly upon the lessons I learned from my teachers and peers: lessons about my body, about movement creation, music, about interacting with my fellow dancers as people, about life, and about the kind of person I hope to be interpersonally, as a dancer, a teacher, a citizen of the world."

HANNAH KOZAKA GILES, Alumna

Berkshire Pulse Youth Performing Arts Program