Berkshire Dance Theatre Names Director
ADAMS - The Berkshire Dance Theatre's board of directors has selected Marc J. Aronoff as its new executive director.Aronoff will be responsible for managing the dance studio's operations in Adams, Williamstown and Bennington, Vt., and for leading efforts to bring additional programs and resources to the nonprofit for a revitalization of the community's largest dance school.
The Berkshire Dance Theatre's long-range plan calls for the organization to continue to be a leading dance school in Berkshire County and Southern Vermont while seeking new ways to reach out to the ever-changing community of children and adults.
BDT is the only dance school in Berkshire County to offer a Cecchetti-based ballet program in addition to dance classes in modern, jazz, tap and hip hop. It has preserved a curriculum that has been the cornerstone of its school while expanding programs. As part of the curriculum expansion, Aronoff will continue to build upon the existing fitness programs, which includes Pilates and NIA. In addition, yoga classes are now forming.
Upcoming dance events include a Young Choreographers Workshop and a spring concert on June 21 through 23.
Aronoff is also the executive director of the Berkshire Project based in Lenox. He has had great success bringing inspiration to the lives of at-risk youth though through dance interventions, said the board. As a founding bember of the Berkshire Project, his work has included administrative, choreographic and capacity-building responsibilities.
Mr. Aronoff has worked extensively as a professional dancer and has performed for many years in New York City and in Europe. He holds a bachelor's degree in literature from Northwestern University in Chicago and has a master's in psychology from Leslie University in Cambridge. He is proficient in French, German and Spanish and is a certified fitness and personal trainer and yoga instructor.
The board invites members of the local communities to meet Aronoff at the following open houses: Thursday, Jan. 24, from 4 to 6 at the Berkshire Dance Theatre's new studio in Bennington at 215 Benmont Ave. and on Monday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 7 at the Adams location in the former Notre Dame School, 21 Maple St.
For more information or a schedule of classes visit www.berkshiredancetheatre.net or call Jessica at 413-743-4645.
