New Director Choreographing Dance School's Future
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| Marc J. Aronoff |
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.
