Featured
Dancing Through the Floor
Dancing Through the Floor with Erik Elizondo
FOUR Thursdays, Oct 23-Nov 13, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $100-$200 sliding scale*
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED, CLASS IS LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS
Dancing Through the Floor is a new class series focused on the delights and challenges of floorwork! These classes will increase your comfort on the floor level through technical movement patterns, slides, rolls, impulses, and jumps. Movement improvisation on the floor will awaken more flow in the body, while movement phrases and choreography will challenge and grow coordination and memory. This is an intermediate/advanced class in a contemporary modern style. Students should have experience in modern dance, though newcomers to floorwork are very welcome, along with those looking to deepen their floorwork skills.
To register, please email programs@nohoarts.org with your name, address, and phone number. Payment can be made via PayPal here, or by mailing a check made out to NCFA to PO Box 366, Northampton, MA 01061.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our continued commitment to accessibility, including sliding scale models and the NCFA Community Fund.
Erik Elizondo is a dance artist from Monterrey, Mexico. He began his career in 2009 with the company Teoría de Gravedad and co-founding Colectivo la Aurora in 2010. In 2012, he joined Inside the Body Performing Arts, directed by Aladino Rivera. His professional collaborations include work with Ruby Gámez, Gavin Webber, Cinthya Dueñas, Francisco Córdova, João Cidade, Barnaby Booth, Marion Sparber, Milla Koistinen, Nadia Lartigue, among others. Erik graduated from SEAD Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in 2017, majoring in Performance in Contemporary Dance. In 2017, he co-founded Los Little Guys with Dimitri Kalaitzidis, developing their own movement improvisation methodology. His projects have led to collaborations, workshops, and residencies at venues such as NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Iceland Dance Company, b12, Gibney Dance, and Boston Conservatory, among others. Erik and Dimitri have also showed their choreographic work in Mexico, USA, Canada, Malaysia, and India.
Ballet Basics too! …or Basics Two, with Carol Wigg
Ballet Basics too! …or two, with carol wigg
Mondays starting September 8, 4-5:30 p.m.
Classical ballet barre and center at non-competitive introductory/low intermediate level
Sliding scale $10-$20
For more info: johnandcarol57@gmail.com
Coming back to ballet after a few years off? Welcome home! Modern or Contemporary dancer (or experienced ballet dancer) who might enjoy an unpressured classical class? Try it out! Enjoy the pleasure and benefits of ballet, including improved posture, balance, musicality, and mental agility.
Open enrollment, no registration necessary. Soft ballet slippers, bare feet, or socks. Leotards and tights only if you prefer them, exercise gear is fine. Geared for adults who dance or have taken dance (but maybe not ballet). Can be taken along with the Wednesday Ballet Basics class (there will be some new moves and slightly expanded combinations) or on its own.
Carol Wigg came to ballet from a background in musical theater. Her foundational training was in Legat technique with Michael Arnaud of Amherst. Upon his retirement Carol was fortunate to train with Lesley Makings of the Royal Academy of Dance, one of only a handful of RAD-certified instructors teaching in the U.S. She studied with Lesley and with Antony DeVecchi at the Northeast American School of Dance, Northampton, for many years and today continues to take class with Sharon MacDonald and Kelly Silliman at the Center for the Arts.
Adult Int/Adv Ballet with Sharon MacDonald
Photo: Maeve Sterbenz
Adult Int/Adv Ballet with Sharon MacDonald
Tuesdays from 5:45 to 7:15 PM
Saturdays 12 Noon to 1:30 PM
Cost: $20 Single Class (Drop-In, no registration required)
For questions, please email Carol Wigg at johnandcarol157@gmail.com
Join Sharon MacDonald for an ongoing, intermediate/advanced, classical ballet class, a wonderful space for adult dancers of all ages! Classes may be attended on a drop-in basis, no registration required, and five-week payment options are also available. Class payment may be made in person via cash or check only. For questions, please email Carol Wigg at johnandcarol157@gmail.com
Sharon MacDonald has had an extensive career as a performer, teacher, choreographer, and stage director. She holds a B.A. in French and Dance from Skidmore College and M.A. in Theatre from Smith College. Formerly, MacDonald was the administrator and a faculty member for the School of the Hartford Ballet in Connecticut and has served on the faculties of Smith College, Williams College, and Trinity College. She also has been a Ballet Teaching Artist and a member of the Board of Directors of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
Dancing with Sensuality
Dancing with Sensuality with Madelyn Farr
SIX Thursdays, OCT 30—Dec 11, 5:30-7:00pm (No class 11/27)
Cost: $125-$250 sliding scale*
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED, CLASS IS LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS!
Dancing with Sensuality, taught by Madelyn Farr, deepens her mission to awaken the expressive and emotive potential of older adults through the transformative magic of dance and music. This new offering is a moving journey into the heart of desire where the soulful and sensual meet. With a carefully curated soundtrack, we move through a range of feeling landscapes that ignite the sensual dimensions of joy, yearning and tender melancholy. Madelyn will guide the warm-up with expressive movement options that soothe and ease the flow of sensual energy. You won’t be engaging in explicitly erotic movement, only your curiosity to experience the awakening of sensations that celebrate the pleasure and poignancy of being alive. There will be opportunities for self-directed and interactive movement in a supportive, non-judgemental and creatively playful space where hearts connect and delicious dance unfolds.
To register, please email programs@nohoarts.org with your name, address, and phone number. Payment can be made via PayPal here, or by mailing a check made out to NCFA to PO Box 366, Northampton, MA 01061.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our continued commitment to accessibility, including sliding scale models and the NCFA Community Fund.
Madelyn Farr is a dance/choreographer and expressive arts specialist, with a Masters in Dance-Movement Therapy. She has professional credits in her native Venezuela and in the northeast US. Madelyn explores the healing potential of Middle Eastern and other dance forms to enhance the soulful, sensual and expressive vitality of older adults - and brings her findings to her teaching practices. As the creator of Dancing with Joy & Sorrow, she has touched the hearts of many. She founded Wild Mushrooms; Aging With Art, a collaborative of older artists with a mission to inspire the artist in all of us, no matter the age!
Int/Adv Contemporary Modern Dance
Int/Adv Contemporary Modern Dance
Fridays 4:30-6:00pm
Cost: $10-$25/class, sliding scale*
Are you an intermediate or advanced dancer looking for a little more modern technique in your life? Join a wonderful group of community and professional dancers who just want to keep moving! This is a drop-in, primarily non-improvisational technique class with a monthly rotation of teachers. You can expect lots of juicy movement, time to dig into other dance artists’ movement vocabularies, inspiration for your body and brain, and the chance to connect with other dancers in Western Mass. All intermediate level dancers and beyond are welcome, so don’t be shy, come dance with us!
*Class payments may be made by cash, check, Venmo @Northampton-CenterForTheArts, or Paypal here. Payments on the upper end of the scale help support our commitment to sliding scale rates and accessibility.
2025 Teaching Schedule:
January: Madison Palffy
February: Randee Paufve
March: Ellie Goudie-Averill
April: Samantha Grossman
May: Francesca Baron
June: Shannon Nulf & Gillian Ebersole
July: Madison Palffy/Kelly Silliman
August: No Classes
September: Erik Elizondo
October: Molly Rose-Williams
November: Michelle Marroquin
December: Katherine Kain
Mixed Level Modern Dance with Kelly Silliman
Mixed Level MODERN DANCE
Wednesdays 5:10-6:40PM
COST: $10-$25 SLIDING SCALE PER CLASS
DROP-IN, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Summer session 2025: Five Wednesdays July 2-30
Classes run September 3, 2025—May 27, 2026 (no class 11/26, 12/24, 12/31, 2/18, or 4/22)
This mixed-level contemporary modern technique class will really get you moving! Class is geared towards dancers with some previous experience, although beginners who want to jump right in are always welcome. Warm-up exercises will support alignment, strength, and creating healthy movement patterns. Combinations and choreography will focus on dynamic, free-flowing movement quality and individual expression, all in a welcoming creative environment!
Class payment may be made in person via cash, check, or Venmo. Questions? Email programs@nohoarts.org!
Kelly Silliman is the Center’s Co-Director, and an experienced dance educator who emphasizes healthy alignment, integrated warm-ups, individualized attention, and having fun while exploring movement and music material. Students are encouraged to develop movement patterns intended to serve their bodies long term, and to think about why we move the way we do and how the lessons of dance class can apply to life outside the studio. She makes lots of jokes and believes it’s the job of dance training to work for YOU. Kelly has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, performer, director, choreographer and scholar. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Stetson University, and an MFA in dance from Smith College.
Adult Ballet with Kelly Silliman
Adult Ballet for EVERYONE!
Brush Up on Basics Ballet - Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm
Mixed Level Ballet - Wednesdays 6:45-8:15pm
Cost: $10-$25 sliding scale per class
Drop-in, no registration required
Summer session 2025: Five Wednesdays July 2-30
Classes run September 3, 2025—May 27, 2026 (no class 11/26, 12/24, 12/31, 2/18, or 4/22). Summer session 2026 runs July 1-29.
Brush Up on Basics Ballet: Has it been a while since your last dance class? Do you miss ballet but feel intimidated by the idea of jumping into an intermediate class? Or have you always wanted to try ballet but couldn't find a beginner option? This class is for you! Brush Up On Basics covers basic ballet instruction focused on learning/relearning positions, steps, and vocabulary. We will also pay attention to building strength, healthy alignment, and having fun! Class is geared towards adults but mature teens are very welcome. Ballet shoes, socks, or bare feet all work well, and no leotards are necessary here, comfortable exercise-wear is just fine!
Mixed Level Ballet: This is an intermediate/mixed-level ballet class that offers students a physical and mental workout while focusing on alignment and strength building in a healthy, welcoming environment. No leotards necessary here, comfortable exercise-wear is just fine! Class is geared towards adults but mature teens are very welcome! Beginners or those returning after a long absence from class are welcome but encouraged to check out Brush Up on Basics first.
Class payment may be made in person via cash, check, or Venmo. Questions? Email programs@nohoarts.org!
Kelly Silliman is the Center’s Co-Director, and an experienced dance educator who emphasizes healthy alignment, integrated warm-ups, individualized attention, and having fun while exploring movement and music material. Students are encouraged to develop movement patterns intended to serve their bodies long term, and to think about why we move the way we do and how the lessons of dance class can apply to life outside the studio. She makes lots of jokes and believes it’s the job of ballet to work for YOU. Kelly has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, performer, director, choreographer and scholar. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Stetson University, and an MFA in dance from Smith College.
All Spring 2020 Dance Classes still available on Vimeo!!
Creative Dance, Creative Jazz, Adult Ballet, and Body Structure Fundamentals filmed during the early pandemic are available online! All classes can be found on our Vimeo page, or find direct links to classes below:
Creative Dance 3/25/20
Creative Dance 4/1/20
Creative Dance 4/8/20
Creative Dance 4/15/20
Creative Dance 4/22/20
Creative Dance 4/29/20
Creative Dance 5/6/20
Creative Dance 5/13/20
Creative Dance 5/20/20
Creative Dance 5/27/20
Creative Jazz 3/25/20
Creative Jazz 4/1/20
Creative Jazz 4/8/20
Creative Jazz 4/15/20
Creative Jazz 4/22/20
Creative Jazz 4/29/20
Creative Jazz 5/6/20
Creative Jazz 5/13/20
Creative Jazz 5/20/20
Creative Jazz 5/27/20
Adult Ballet 3/25/20
Adult Ballet 4/1/20
Adult Ballet 4/8/20
Adult Ballet 4/15/20
Adult Ballet 4/22/20
Adult Ballet 4/29/20
Adult Ballet 5/6/20
Adult Ballet 5/13/20
Adult Ballet 5/20/20
Adult Ballet 5/27/20
Body Structure Fundamentals 10
We are making this content available for free, but we hope you will consider making a donation to the Center. As a small nonprofit committed to serving our community, the Northampton Center for the Arts needs your help so that we can continue to provide affordable space for artists, performers, and educators after this crisis is over. Please consider making a donation of any amount through our website or Venmo @Northampton-CenterForTheArts.
Suggested donation: $15/class