Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
28°  H- 50%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
Thursday November 20, 2008
 Make us your homepage!
 

Daily Digest

Like to Write?
Passionate about local sports? Into the environment? Obsessive about local meetings?

Let your neighbors know what's going on in Berkshire County! iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more.
Got Flu?
Track its spread through Google!
How much is heating oil this week?
How to get heating help
Win a restaurant gift certificate.
Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how.

Obituaries

Peter G. Arlos, 82
Former Pittsfield councilor
Helen N. Renner, 93
Former Pownal librarian
Eunice J. Schleif, 76
Retired state child-care director
Tiffany E. Byrne, 14
Mildred V. Faustini, 87
Martha M. Muir, 62
School Committee member
More obituaries

What's Playing


Angelina Jolie is a mother searching for her son in "Changeling."
Movie schedules and times

Sales Fliers

 
 

Columnists

That's Life

Dealing with Dirty Laundry

Independent Investor

Economy Will Dictate Agenda, Not President

Pick of the Week

Staind

Sports 'N Stuff

NFL Midseason Report Card



Other Stuff


Bush Dissed by G20
Buy 1/Get 1 Sends Laptops to Developing Countries
Berkshire Hathaway Posts Big Drop
State Police Hit By Budget Crunch
The president-elect's new Web site
www.change.gov

 Search: 
 for    

Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

New Director Choreographing Dance School's Future

By Jen Thomas - February 12, 2008

Marc J. Aronoff
ADAMS - Marc J. Aronoff has big plans for the next few months.

In his role as the new executive director of the Berkshire Dance Theatre, Aronoff wants to extend the company's programming, expand community outreach projects and, of course, help others to unleash their inner rhythm.

"I want to keep the aspects that work while also thinking ahead to what else could work. I don't want to lose what we've got; I just want to add new dimensions," said Aronoff, who was named executive director by BDT's board of directors late last month.

With more than 20 years experience as a professional dancer, choreographer and dance instructor, Aronoff said he was excited to take the Berkshires' premier dance studio to the next level. With locations on Maple Street, at Pine Cobble School in Williamstown and in Bennington, Vt., the nonprofit is the area's largest dance school and offers classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop styles, as well as offerings in creative movement, tumbling and acrobatics and fitness.

"The school has been around for 26 years and we've primarily offered a dance curriculum that trains dancers ages 5 to 18. The school follows a specific structure that is based on Cecchetti-based ballet (a form of ballet instruction that emphasizes a focus on anatomy) and is by placement and audition," said Aronoff. "We don't want to change that foundation; we just want to create fullness."

Founded by former Adams resident Susan Hakes some 45 years, the school has gone through various incarnations before becoming Berkshire Dance Theatre in the 1970s.

Aronoff said he wants to develop classes for adult dancers who don't have any other outlet for expression. The open classes would be an opportunity to practice different styles of dance without the pressure of a classroom setting.

"It'd be for anyone who wants to do it. I'd like to reach out to people who don't have a place to move and groove," Aronoff said, adding that the classes could start as early as the spring.

BDT also has plans to begin teaching a workshop to young choreographers, in an attempt to "explain the art of making dance," Aronoff said. Beginning with a four-week series that will feature Latin-inspired dance, the choreography workshops will be open for students aged 8 and up.

Aronoff said he plans to work with the nonprofit's artistic director, Karyn O'Toole, the board of directors and the school's 300 students to create a community outreach program that will bring dancers into nursing homes and schools throughout the county.

"I want to work with everyone to implement positive change," Aronoff said.

Other potential improvements include cleaning up the look of the BDT Web site, increasing fundraising and grant-writing efforts and expanding the modern dance program curriculum.

As the Berkshire Dance Theatre looks to the future, Aronoff said he's the right man to move the organization forward.

"I love dance and I'm good at making things happen," he said.
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
www.ediblearrangements.com
www.mountainone.com
iberkshires.com
www.iberkshires.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Borrow Movies
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Weddings | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 367 ms