Berkshire Pulse youth performance

Youth Classes - Performing Arts Spring 2010

block schedule for print

Berkshire Pulse Performing Arts Program offers young people an opportunity to explore their own creative language while challenging their intellectual, technical and artistic abilities. Traditional standards are met using current techniques in our professional level training. Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance class levels are progressive. Meeting each level's goals is a requirement for advancement. Our holistic, child-friendly approach facilitates both the enjoyment and the beauty of these performing arts. Level appropriate classroom etiquette is expected.

Class and Level Placement

Placing students correctly is a foundational part of our mission. We deeply consider a wide variety of factors ~ physical skill, peer group, emotional maturity, years of previous study, and age. Be assured that we always give careful consideration to placing each student where we believe he or she will have the greatest potential for growth. New dance students age 10+ who would like to participate in ballet, modern and jazz classes are required to participate in placement classes which are held during our registration period (see registration information). Students under 10 are placed according to age and interest. For these students, adjustments in class placement occasionally may be necessary after initial attendance.

Ballet

Ballet Program Director, Ruby Aver Thung

Pre-Ballet/Creative Dance

Saturday 9:45-10:30 AM, January 9 - March 6, $96
Ages 4-6 w/ Renni Greenberg Gallagher

Students explore musical rhythms and creative movement through the practice of dance games, improvisational exercises and introductory dance technique.

Intro to Ballet and Modern

Saturday 10:40-11:40 AM, January 30-June 13, $204
Ages 6-8 w/ Renni Greenberg Gallagher

A playful approach to traditional technique, improvisation, shape and rhythm, music and story, balance and flow, this class is an ideal introduction to ballet and modern dance. The pleasure of movement is inspired while preparing students for continuation in the dance form of their choice.

Beginners Ballet

Saturday 9:30-10:30 AM, January 30-June 13, $204
Ages 8-10 w/ Ilana Singer and Renni Greenberg Gallagher

Ballet fundamentals are introduced and skills developed into short phrases of movement inspired by character (theatrical folk) dance and classical ballet technique. Requirements: Appropriate classroom etiquette, and lots of enthusiasm!

Advanced Beginners Ballet I

Tuesday 3:45-5:15 PM, January 26- June 13, $204
Ages 9+ w/ Ruby Aver Thung

Students lay a firm classical foundation and vocabulary. Requirements: Appropriate classroom etiquette, good sense of space, and lots of enthusiasm.

Advanced Beginners Ballet II

Friday 3:40-5:10 PM, January 29-June 13 , $204
Ages 10+ : w/ Ruby Aver Thung

Students lay a strong foundation for further development of technical skills including more challenging rhythmic variations and longer phrases of classical ballet vocabulary. Requirements: Appropriate classroom etiquette, good sense of space, general sense of musicality, knowledge of basic ballet barre and center work vocabulary. These students have completed at least one year of Advanced Beginner I.

Additional enrollment in Advanced Beginner I is recommended for more consistent progress at this level.

Intermediate Ballet

Thursday 3:40-5:10 PM, January 28-June 13 , $204
Ages 12+ w/ Ruby Aver Thung

With the addition of artistry, students build upon foundational skills, preparing them for advanced level material. Requirements: Good work ethics and classroom etiquette, ability to apply corrections, ability to execute and retain ballet combinations, employment of conscious use of breath and awareness of alignment. A concurrent Modern or Jazz class with Berkshire Pulse is required at this level. Intermediate level Ballet students may be placed either in the Friday Advanced Beginner II or the Wednesday Open Ballet class, as two ballet classes per week are strongly recommended to maintain this level of dancing.

Advanced Ballet

Monday 3:40-5:10 PM, January 25-June 13 , $204
Ages 12+ w/ Ruby Aver Thung

A student's individual capacity is solidified and refined. Artistry and technical stamina are challenged. Requirements: Exemplary work ethics and classroom etiquette, ability to welcome ongoing challenges and retain corrections, ability to retain complicated ballet combinations and lengthy variations, patience to go deeper into developing the quality of movement and musical artistry as technique progresses. Monday and Wednesday Advanced Ballet, as well as a concurrent Modern or Jazz class with Berkshire Pulse are required at this level. Three ballet classes per week are strongly recommended to progress at this level, therefore Advanced level Ballet students are also encouraged to enroll in the Intermediate level class for additional weekly practice. Friday Pointe is optional; Pointe work is a natural extension of technique, but not a requirement of the Advanced level Ballet student.

Advanced Ballet-Open

Wednesday 4:15-5:45 PM, January 27-June 2 , $204/full session
Ages 12+ w/ Ruby Aver Thung

Please see above for description. Adult dancers are welcome to join this Performing Arts Program class-- for a full semester or on a drop-in basis with a community membership pass (refer to Teen /Adult program info).

Pointe-Beginning and Intermediate

Ages 12+ w/ Ballet Program Director Ruby Aver Thung
Friday, 5:20-6:20 PM, January 29-June 4
$510 - Pointe package (includes 2 Ballet classes plus Pointe class)

Pointe work is extremely challenging and demands a high level of commitment to fine tune alignment, build strength, coordination, and flow. Appropriate physical and emotional maturity are required in order to begin Ballet Pointe work, which generally does not occur before the age of 12. At least 2 years of prior Ballet training are necessary preparation. Pointe work is available to Intermediate and Advanced level Ballet students when invited by the instructor. Students must exhibit the following:

Beginner Pointe students (Intermediate level Ballet) are required to take Intermediate Ballet, Advanced beginner II Ballet, plus Pointe class. Intermediate Pointe students (Advanced level Ballet) are required to take Monday and Wednesday Advanced Ballet classes plus Pointe class. Intermediate Pointe students are required to arrive at 4:50PM and warm up prior to Pointe class (barre and space will be provided). In order to go on Pointe each week, students must consistently attend their other ballet classes. If the required amount of ballet classes have not been taken in a given week, the student will be asked to take Pointe class in slippers. Beginning students will be on Pointe for the first half hour of the class and will complete the class in slippers.

Modern Dance

Modern Dance Program Director, Bettina Montano

Creative Dance

Wednesday 3:30-4:15 PM, April 28th - June 16th, $96
Ages 4-6 w/ Kristine Waterman

Students will dance and learn in an energizing and fun-filled atmosphere that combines exploration of the child's inner movement with guided exercises that enhance balance, coordination and use of space and levels. Warm up includes yoga, stretching and a creative approach to body awareness.

Intro to Ballet and Modern

Saturday 10:40-11:40AM, January 30-June 13, $204
Ages 6-8 w/ Renni Greenberg Gallagher

A playful approach to the fundamentals of traditional technique, improvisation, shape and rhythm, music and story, balance and flow, this class is an ideal introduction to ballet and modern dance. The pleasure of movement is inspired while preparing students for continuation in the dance form of their choice.

Beginners Modern

Friday 3:45-4:45PM, February 26- June 13, $168
Ages 8-10 w/ Bettina Montano

Students build a basic understanding of modern technique while learning to loosen, strengthen and explore their body's movement vocabulary. Requirements: Appropriate classroom etiquette, and lots of enthusiasm!

Advanced Beginners Modern

Thursday 3:40-5:00 PM, January 28-June 13 , $204
Ages 10+ w/ Bettina Montano

Students focus on the fundamentals of modern dance on a more advanced level. Class will include center practice, exercises across the floor, improvisation and the study of movement phrases. Requirements: Lots of enthusiasm, appropriate classroom etiquette, good sense of space, basic knowledge of center work and across-the-floor vocabulary, ability to welcome challenges. Additional enrollment in Ballet class is recommended for more consistent progress at this level.

Intermediate Modern

Monday 3:40-5:10 PM, January 25- June 13, $204
Ages 12+ w/ Bettina Montano

Emphasis will be placed on moving with clarity and musicality while building an understanding of the body as a tool for versatility of expression and strength. A conscientious group experience is emphasized. Requirements: Exemplary work ethics and classroom etiquette, ability to welcome ongoing challenges and retain corrections. Concurrent Ballet training with Berkshire Pulse is required for students participating in this class. Ballet is required at this point because it prepares a student physically and artistically for the increase in technical difficulty, enabling the instructor to confidently present new material requiring greater strength, flexibility, alignment and concentration. Students who are newly transitioning into this level may be asked to enroll in an additional Advanced Beginner Ballet or Jazz class temporarily for supplementary support.

Advanced Modern

Monday 5:10-6:40 PM, January 25- June 13, $204
Ages 13+ w/ Bettina Montano

A continuation of Modern dance training, this class encourages students to challenge themselves as artists as well as technicians. Emphases will be placed on performance goals associated with participation in the June 12 and 13th performances.

Requirements: Exemplary work ethics and classroom etiquette, ability to welcome ongoing challenges and retain corrections, patience to go deeper into developing quality of movement and artistry. Concurrent Ballet training with BP's intermediate or advanced level is required for students participating in this class. Advanced level Modern students are welcome to enroll in the Intermediate level Adult Modern classes for additional weekly practice. Adult dancers are welcome to join this Performing Arts Program class-- for a full semester or on a drop-in basis for $15 per class. Please see above for description.

Jazz

Beginners Jazz

Wednesday 3:40-4:40 PM, January 27-June 13 , $204

Ages 9+ w/ Claire Jacob-Zysman

This class will offer an introduction to the technique of Jazz dance. We will explore isolations, rhythm, dynamics, and precision of both movement and shapes while maintaining a strong and grounded core.

Advanced Beginners Jazz

Wednesday 4:45-5:45 PM, January 27-June 13 , $204
Ages 10+ w/ Claire Jacob-Zysman

This class will further explore the technique of Jazz dance. Students will continue to develop skills of isolations, rhythm, dynamics, and precision in both movement and shape while maintaining a strong and grounded core. Class will include center practice, exercises across the floor, and the study of Jazz movement combinations. Requirements: Appropriate classroom etiquette, respectful behavior to teacher and classmates, and lots of enthusiasm!

Advanced Intermediate Jazz

Wednesday 6:00-7:15PM, January 27-June 13 , $204
Ages 12+ w/ Claire Jacob-Zysman

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. 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. Requirements: At least two years of previous Ballet and Jazz training. Exemplary work ethics and classroom etiquette, ability to welcome ongoing challenges and retain corrections, patience to go deeper into developing the quality of movement and artistry. Concurrent Ballet training with Berkshire Pulse is required for students participating in this class.

World Music

World Music Program Director: Aimee Gelinas

Introduction to World Music and Dance

This class will be postponed until further notice.
Ages 7+ w/ Joanne DelCarpine and Kim Waterman

This world music and rhythm movement introductory workshop is a foundational class for both our World Music and Dance programs. This class will help children feel and play with the rhythms of their own lives and of the world. Using instruments and their bodies students will begin to understand rhythm through sound and movement. We will listen to different types of music and pick out the pulse and patterns to repeat and master. We will learn "call and response" songs. We will learn to hear and respond to "the break" to start, change, and stop movement and playing. As we progress the class will be split into sections trading off playing and dancing. Students should bring whatever percussion instruments they own. Some will be provided as well.

Beginners/Advanced Beginners World Music

Tuesday 3:30-4:05 PM, January 26- June 13, $204
Ages 8+ w/ Aimee Gelinas

In this class students explore the history and styles of rhythms, songs and dances that originated on the continent of Africa and traveled, maintained and evolved throughout parts of the Caribbean. Instruments will be provided. For students with previous experience.

Intermediate/Advanced World Music

Tuesday 4:05-4:45 PM, January 26- June 13, $204
Ages 9+ w/ Aimee Gelinas

This class is for the more experienced percussionist. In addition to studying traditional rhythms, students arrange music together with Aimee, and all take part in drumming and singing multi-part rhythms. Placement in this class is at the sole discretion of the instructor. A trial class may be required.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop Intergenerational Workshop Series

Fridays 5:00-7:00 PM,
February 12, March 12, April 9, May 7 & 28, June 4 & 11,
$175 Workshop series
Ages 8-18 w/ Lisa Kapchinske( aka "Ivory") and Jonathan Pinero (aka "St. Ise")

A unique opportunity for students ages 8-18 to step into the world of Hip Hop! This program will offer beginners and students with prior experience an in depth study of the diverse styles and rhythms of Hip hop, and its history and evolution. Participants will study the basics of old school hip hop dance, new wave hip hop choreography, experience the art of a dance battle and throughout, explore their individual expression of these dance forms. Emphases will be placed on developing individual ability while forming a strong and supportive group experience. This class will culminate in performance.

Beginners Tap

Wednesday 3:30-4:15 PM, January 27- April 7, $120
Ages 7-12 w/ Kristine Waterman

A class for both boys and girls! Students will learn and develop technique in tap. They will learn basic foot work, exercises, rhythms and specific steps and lingo. They will build strength, work as a group, and have lots of fun while creating basic rhythmic patterns and choreography.