Come see what everybody’s chirping about!

On Tuesday, September 1st, The Center will host TWO free Songbirds classes: Chickadees (ages 0-2 at 10AM), and Skylarks (ages 3-6) at 11AM. We warmly invite you to join us for music, friendship, FUN, and a chance to meet Songbirds instructor Emily Hillman.

And on Monday, September 14th, we welcome caregivers of infants to join us for a trial of Nest, a gentle introduction to music and community, with Certified Waldorf Early Childhood Educator, Michelle Prindle.

Read full descriptions and instructor bios on our Songbirds page! To reserve a spot in any of our trial classes, please complete THIS Google form, or email hello@thecenterdance.com.

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.

Wednesdays at 10AM! Drop-ins welcome. REGISTER.

Balance and Repose: an Alexander Technique Group Class (1 hour): Repose can be powerful. In this morning movement class, students will focus on ease, awareness, and balance using the principles of the Alexander Technique. Class will uncover habitual patterns and clear the way for more freedom, creativity, and poise. Movement structures will draw from modes such as dance, yoga, Bartenieff Fundamentals (developmental movement patterning), and more. With conscious care, students will engage with their world with less stress and greater overall function. 

About the Instructor
Kate Martel relocated back to the Pioneer Valley in 2017 after 15 years in New York City. While in NYC, she performed and choreographed as an independent dance artist. Most notably, she has been a collaborating artist with Laura Peterson Choreography for ten years, performing throughout NYC and internationally. She has also danced for choreographers Rebecca Brooks, David Hurwith, Luis Lara Malvacias, Juliette Mapp, Nora Stephens and Sarah White-Ayon. Her own choreography has been presented by Women in Motion, Triskelion Arts, Dixon Place, Center for Performance Research and Rooftop Dance Series. She was a collaborator on Nicole Wolcott’s solo PaperPieces, and Conor Simpson’s film Jux Lucid, which premiered at the Flatlands Dance Film Festival. Kate has been part-time faculty at Adelphi University, Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and Western Connecticut State University. She has also taught at Newport Academy of Ballet. She earned her BA from Goucher College and MFA from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Kate is an AmSAT board certified Alexander Technique teacher who studied under Ann Rodiger at the Balance Arts Center. Kate has choreographed numerous contemporary and ballet pieces for The Center Dance’s spring productions and A 21st Century Nutcracker. 

Adult Tap (1 hour): Tap into your playful side! In The Center’s inaugural tap class for adults, you’ll develop a working movement vocabulary in one of Broadway’s most beloved and enduring dance styles! Flex your mental muscles along with those in your legs, and get ready to make some noise! No experience necessary; we’re here to have FUN! 

Wednesdays, 7:45-8:45 PM
September 10th-December 3rd (12 weeks; no class November 26th)
Half-session: $95; Full-session: $185; drop-in: $20/class ($15 for college students)
REGISTER

Meet the instructor: Colin Niska is a multifaceted dancer and choreographer from the North Shore ofMassachusetts. Colin began his dance education at Nancy Chippendale’s Dance Studio inNorth 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 withgold medals each year (2016, 2019, 2023). In the summer of 2023, Colin was a rehearsal swingdancer for Norwegian Crusie 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, LaurenCox, Jenna Riegel, Angie Hauser, and Duane Lee Holland Jr.. Most recently, Colin performed anew 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 bycertified 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.

New this fall! A dance class/art studio combined into one of afternoon of bold creativity!

Moving Museum (1.5 hours, grades 2-6) Venture beyond the frame in Moving Museum, our newest choreography lab where art comes alive! Children will navigate Pablo Picasso’s cubist landscapes, try Jean-Michel Basquiat’s crowns on for size, dance to the music of Wasily Kandinsky’s visual symphony, and bask in the brilliance of Sonia Delaunay’s colorful palettes. Each week, students will discover a new artist or art movement, using creative movement, storytelling, and choreography to interpret the visual elements they see. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, develop coordination, and learn to express themselves in exciting new ways. The semester will end with a joyful performance and informal art show, where families and friends are invited to celebrate how students have turned paint, pattern, and imagination into dance!

Our 12-week fall session starts Monday, September 8th. REGISTER today!

Let’s get moving; let’s get messy; let’s get creative!