Join us on Tuesday, January 27th, for a FREE trial class of Flight & Form: a ballet class for kids in grades K-2.

When: 4-4:45PM
Where: 321 Main Street, in Amherst
Who: any ballet-curious, male-identifying child in grades K-2
How: RSVP at thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com

Flight & Form: a Ballet Class for Boys (45 minutes, grades K-2) Taught by a male dancer (a Dance Major in the 5 College Dance Department), this joyful ballet class is designed for boys and male-identifying students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, and warmly inclusive of non-binary children. With a focus on creativity, community, and exploration, students will build strength, coordination, and confidence while learning foundational ballet technique. Flight & Form creates a supportive space where young dancers can express themselves freely, learn collaboratively, and discover the joy of dance. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and your love of movement!

Flight & Form is taught by Colin Niska, a senior in the Five College Dance Department. Colin is a multifaceted dancer and choreographer from the North Shore of Massachusetts. He began his dance education at Nancy Chippendale’s Dance Studio in North Andover, MA where he competed regionally, nationally, and internationally. In 2016 he joined the American Tap Company, where he traveled 3 times to Reisa, Germany to compete in the International Dance Organizations World Tap Championships. Colin and his team left with gold medals each year (2016, 2019, 2023). In the summer of 2023, Colin was a rehearsal swing dancer for Norwegian Cruise Line in the Marino 12.0 production cast. Most recently he’s been performing and creating projects with upcoming musicians around Western Massachusetts, such as Ali McGurik and Kimaya Diggs, while earning his B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Colin is also an active member in the Five College Dance community made up of the surrounding dance departments- training under Shakia “The Key” Baron, Lauren Cox, Jenna Riegel, Angie Hauser, and Duane Lee Holland Jr.. Most recently, Colin performed a new original work by Shakia “The Key” Baron, as well as a restaging of the Bill T. Jones work, “Spent Days Out Yonder”, set by a previous Bill T./Arnie Zane Company member, Jenna Riegel. This fall Colin has been cast to perform in a restaging of a Katherine Dunham work, set by certified Dunham teacher, Saroya Corbett. Come Spring 2026, Colin will graduate with a B.F.A. in Dance and a Business Minor in hopes of pursuing a dance career.