Spring 2010 Adult/Teen Classes
The following classes are offered through Berkshire Pulse. Payments are made to Berkshire Pulse in accordance with the tuition fee listed with each individual class and/or Berkshire Pulse membership passes which are available for students age 18+.
The Berkshire Pulse community membership pass is an eight class pass which can be used for participation in all classes offered through Berkshire Pulse. The eight class pass membership fee is $120 and expires within 3 months of purchase. Trial classes are available for $20 which is deducted from the membership fee if participant chooses to join.
The Dancer Within (Gentle Modern, all levels)
With Andrea Borak
Monday 10:00-11:15am
January 11- March 29
(no class 2/22 and 3/15)
$100 for 10 class session or included in the BP Community Membership Pass.
Pre-registration is required
A gentle dance class for adults. Based on breath and flow, this class will focus on helping you to regain, or find for the first time, the joy of movement. Discovering your movement patterns through simple phrases, being kind to the body, and re-awakening the dancer within are the goals of this class.
Modern Dance (Advanced Beginner)
With Bettina Montano
Friday 9:30-10:45 AM
January 22- April 2
$120 For the session or included in the BP Community Membership Pass
An advanced beginner class for students who wish to develop their current dance training, revisit a former relationship with dance or have experienced other forms of movement which may apply to modern dance disciplines. Classes will include center practice on the floor and standing, traveling across the floor, and the study of movement phrases.
Modern Dance (Intermediate)
With Bettina Montano and Andrea Blacklow
Thursday 6:00-7:30 PM
January 7- May 6
$204 for 17 week session or included in the BP Community Membership Pass
This class draws on various styles of modern dance. The emphasis is on technique and core strengthening exercises that support the dancer in moving from a strong center through challenging and lively phrases. Classes will include floor, center, and across the floor practice, culminating in varied combinations. For students with prior dance experience, ages 14 and up.
Open Ballet (For all levels, including beginners)
With Ilana Singer and guest teachers
Saturday 10:45AM-12:15PM
January 9- June 19
$204 for 17-week session, or included in the BP Community Membership Pass
This class will be designed to accommodate the group that attends each week. With a foundation in classical ballet and an innovative approach to movement, this class will include dynamic floor, barre, and center exercises as well as flowing movement across the floor.
This class is ongoing and will not culminate in performance. For teens and adults, ages 13+.
Open Ballet (Advanced)
With Ruby Aver Thung
Wednesday 4:15-5:45 PM
January 20-June
$204 for 17 week session or included in the BP Community Membership Pass
This is an upbeat ballet class for our Advanced level Ballet students. The class begins with a dynamic aligning and releasing barre which leads to varied center practice. Center combinations continue to build strength as well as fluidity. The artistry of use of space, breath and musicality is integrated making this a joyful practice. For teens and adults, ages 14+.
Jazz Dance (Intermediate/Advanced)
With Claire Jacob-Zysman
Wednesday 6:00-7:15 PM
January 20-June 9
$204 for 17-week session or included in the BP Community Membership Pass
A combined level for our intermediate and advanced level dancers, this fast-paced class will focus on the technical styles of Jazz repertory from traditional and contemporary Broadway sources (Fosse, Jerome Robbins), as well as original choreography. This class will develop and solidify jazz technique. Students will study isolations, rhythm, dynamics, and precision in both movement and shape while maintaining a strong and grounded core. Emphasis will also be placed on performance training--clarity of choreography, projection, and stage presence.
Intergenerational Rhythm Tap Dance
With Renni Greenberg Gallagher
Monday 5:15-6:15 PM
New session begins March 1 (no class on 4/19)
$96 for 8 class session or included in the BP Community Membership Pass
A wonderful opportunity for those interested in learning to tap dance and have fun doing so, this class is offered for the young and young at heart (students must be 12 or older). Classes will begin with warm up and technique, and segue to learning the fundamental tap "steps", rhythms, and include playful structured improvisations in the service of self expression. Students will learn to combine "steps" into phrases and sequence phrases into short dances that also make use of elements of improvisation. We will dance "a capella" as well as with music, and classes will be taught so that a range of levels of experience will be accommodated. Those with more experience will share with those with less, and we will focus on individual growth and expression as well as strong ensemble dancing.
Students are strongly encouraged to register for the entire course of 8 classes as instruction will be sequential and each class builds on the foundation of the previous teaching and learning; however, students with tap experience may be welcome to attend on a "drop in " basis with the permission of the teacher. Ages12+.
World Music Workshop
With Joanne DelCarpine
Postponed until further notice.
12 weeks, $120 or included in the BP Community Membership Pass. Pre-registration is required
Come and explore the poly-rhythmic world of African and Afro-Caribbean drumming and song. Students will learn basic hand drumming techniques and bell patterns, then fit simple parts together to create rhythms. We will also learn call and response songs from Caribbean and West African traditions. This class is good for dancers, musicians, or anyone who has an interest in learning more about this intricate world where RHYTHM + DANCE + SONG = MUSIC. Bring your own instruments (drums, shakers, bells, clave, sticks). All levels welcome. For adults and teens ages 15+.
For the following classes payments are made directly to the instructor:
Acting Workshop
With Tyler Malik
Wednesday 6:00-8:00 PM
January 13 - April 14
$180
Students learn a professional acting technique that encourages authenticity, spontaneity, ease of movement, and a broad emotional range through exercises, monologue work and scene work. The technique is easy to learn yet accommodates actors with varying ability; it challenges all students to expand their true emotional range while increasing their comfort on stage. Focus will be on exercise work and a performance piece. Students must commit to the full twelve week session as we are working on a performance to be showcased in April. Requirements: Enthusiasm and a willingness to play! For information regarding this class please call Tyler at: (413) 528-8410. Ages 13+
Afro-Caribbean Dance
With Kim Waterman and Joanne DelCarpine
Tuesday 6:00-7:15 PM
Ongoing
$10 per class
Explore traditional African dance in the many African-rooted dances of Haiti, Cuba and Brazil in this high-energy class. Students move through a warm up filled with yoga, isolations and rhythmic movement into a dance combination that travels across the floor. No prior experience is required for participation in this class. WITH LIVE DRUMMING AND SONG! For adults and teens, ages 14+.
Cardio Strength Class
With Paul Rix
Monday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday: 8:45-9:45 AM
Ongoing (Wednesday & Friday open drop-in, Monday & Thursday pre-registration suggested)
Come take this fast-paced, intense, and fun exercise class. Focuses for the class are movement prep (active stretching), core strength and stabilization, balance, stronger butt and abs, calisthenics and strength training. Come laugh, stretch, strengthen, sweat, and jump your way to a stronger body and a healthier physique
Boxing Class
Mondays & Wednesdays 10-11 am
Boxing is a fantastic way to improve your cardiovascular health and burn any unwanted calories. There is NO SPARRING in this class, but expect a killer workout.
Classical Yoga
With John Dreger
Times & Dates TBA
The class is for all levels. It emphasizes focused awareness in the poses to increase energetic flow and openness in the body and mind. Close attention is paid to alignment to help assure safety in the practice of the poses. Props are often used to help beginners get into poses otherwise inaccessible to them, as well as to help more experienced practitioners explore familiar poses from a variety of new angles.
Flamenco
With Rosalia Padilla
Monday, 6:30-7:30 PM
January 11 - February 22
$15 per class or $84/session
Have fun learning the basics of Flamenco dance! Rhythms, footwork, arm and hand movements, and a short choreography will be taught. No previous dance experience necessary. Contact Rosalia for more information: 413-717-2452, rosalia20@yahoo.com
Latin Dancing
With Yezid Valdes and Phillip Nunez
Friday 6:45-7:45 PM
Ongoing Classes
$40 for 4 classes or $12 per class
NYC and Miami-style Salsa and Mambo make this the hottest sizzling class in the Berkshires. Follow and lead instruction for basic and intermediate levels. Couples and singles welcome! No prior experience necessary. Open to teens and adults.
Scottish Country Dancing
With Susan Eisley and Jean Campbell
Wednesday 7:15-9:15 PM
Ongoing
The 1st class is free, after which we ask a donation of $5 per class. Scottish Country Dancing is an ancestor of American contra dancing and a cousin to English country dancing. It is "set" dancing in that the dances are done in groups of dancers who interact with each other as they perform figures similar to those found in contra dancing and square dancing. Dances are done to jigs, reels, and a slower tempo called "strathspey." Everyone is welcome, although we ask that children under 12 not attend, as the group is geared towards adults. No partner is required, and no experience is needed. Participants should wear comfortable clothes to exercise in and soft-soled shoes such as unblocked ballet slippers or tennis shoes.
Cost: The 1st class is free, after which we ask a donation of $5 per class. There are times when we do not have enough people available to hold class, so it is wise to call the information number below before attending to make sure the class is meeting. FOR MORE INFORMATION Call Jean at Call 518-672-4243 or Susan at 413-448-8621 Beginning Swing Dancing
With Paul and Nadia Rix
Thursday 6:00-7:00 PM
Feb. 18th-March 25th (6 week session)
Come learn the basics of East Coast and Lindy Hop. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of partner connection, basic footwork patterns and a few variations, along with a number of turns and spins. No partner or experience required. Discount for couples!! Contact Paul at 619-857-9106.
Fast Lindy & Charleston (continued)
With Paul and Nadia Rix
Thursday 7:15-8:15 PM
Feb. 18th-March 25th (6 week session)
In this class we will build on what we've already been learning in the Intro to Charleston class along with learning how to incorporate Charleston into dancing Lindy Hop to faster tempos. Previous experience AND instructor approval required. No partner needed, but discounted for couples. Contact Paul at 619-857-9106.
Zumba Fitness - A "Mostly Latin" Dance Exercise Workout
With Rosalia Padilla
Sunday 11:00-12:00
Starts again on January 24th
$12 per class
Latin inspired, dance-fitness class. Learn the basic steps of merengue, salsa, cumbia, and reggaeton as you dance/workout to the infectious rhythms of Latin music. No dance experience required, just a desire to feel the music and move your body!