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. 

Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

 

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 

 

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

 

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

 

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

 

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

 

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.