Berkshire Pulse Announces Summer Programs

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. —  Berkshire Pulse unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule of dance, music, and creative arts classes for area youth, teens, and adults.

Berkshire Pulse provides opportunities for dancers of all ages and experience levels to learn, grow, and be inspired. 

For the complete program schedule, please visit the Pulse website: 

https://berkshirepulse.org/summer-intensive-programs/

Dance Discovery (Ages 8-13)
July 6-10 | half-day option for ages 8-9 (mornings only)
Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm; 9am-12pm half day

An exciting journey into the engaging and rewarding world of dance, this week-long program provides an introduction to dance forms including ballet, modern, African, and more. Dancers will also have a chance to practice dance-making of their own!

Dance Adventure (Ages 4-7)
July 13-17 | half day
Monday to Friday, 9am-12pm

This program for our youngest dancers invites them on an expedition into the exciting, engaging, and rewarding world of dance. Classes will include creative dance, storytelling, drumming, and more!

Hip Hop and Street Style (Ages 10-adult)
July 20-24 | All levels
Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm

In this week-long program, dancers will learn foundational movements and techniques of hip-hop and street style dance, alongside discussions about the cultural meaning and significance of these dance forms. 

Musical Theater (Ages 10+)

This week-long program gives students the opportunity to jump right into the world of musical theater with classes in broadway jazz, voice, acting, and improvisation. 

Young Dancers and Choreographers Intensive (Ages 11+)
August 3-7 and August 10-14
Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
This intensive is for dancers with at least two years of dance experience.

This two week-long program will focus on interdisciplinary dance technique, including classes in ballet, modern, Simonson Jazz, African, Salsa and Flamenco. The second will focus on contemporary forms, dance-making, dance filmmaking, improvisation, and partnering.

Pre-Registration opens in February, pre-register by calling 413-274-6624, or going to our website at berkshirepulse.org. 

Pulse Accessibility Initiatives

Pulse is committed to making our programs affordable and accessible to all. New, prospective, and returning students and their families should be aware of the following Access offerings to support their ongoing participation: 

• TUITION ASSISTANCE: Partial or full tuition waivers are available to any student with demonstrated financial need, 100% automatic waivers for EBT/WIC recipients. Visit the TA page on our website to learn more and apply. 

• DANCEWEAR: Pulse maintains an inventory of clean, dress-code appropriate dancewear for youth students to borrow, whenever needed.

• DANCE SHOES: Pulse maintains an inventory of gently-used tap, character, jazz, and flamenco shoes in youth and adult sizes for borrowing, whenever needed. 

• SPANISH-TRANSALATION SUPPORT: Enrollment and tuition assistance applications are available both in English and Spanish. 

• ADA-ACCESSIBLE FACILITY: There are several ADA parking spaces available at the front and side of the building, plus an elevator to the studios on the 3rd floor for anyone with mobility issues. 

Lee Breaks Ground on Public Safety Building

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, April 25, 2026

Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain says the community voted to invest in its future by approving the new $37 million complex. 

LEE, Mass. — Ground was ceremonially broken on the town's new public safety building, something officials see as a gift to the community and future generations. 

When finished, Lee will have a 37,000 square-foot combined public safety facility on Railroad Street where the Airoldi and Department of Public Works buildings once stood. Construction will cost around $24 million, and is planned to be completed in August 2027.

"This is the town of Lee being proactive. This is the town of Lee being thoughtful and considerate and practical and assertive, and this project is not just for us. This project is a gift," Select Board member Bob Jones said. 

"This is a gift to our children, our grandchildren."

State and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, gathered at the site on Friday, clad in hard hats and yellow vests, and shoveled some dirt to kick off the build. 

Town Administrator Chris Brittain explained that officials have planned and reviewed the need for a modern facility for the public safety departments for years, and that the project marks a new chapter, replacing 19th-century infrastructure with a "state-of-the-art" complex.

"The project is not just about concrete and steel, it's a commitment to the safety of our families, the efficiency of our first responders, and the future of our community," he said. 

He said he was grateful to the town's Police, Fire, and Building departments for their dedication while operating out of outdated facilities, and to the Department of Public Works, for coordinating site preparation and relocating its services.