The Beat Berkeley Performing Arts
THE MISSION:
The Beat, Berkeley Performing Arts Center (BPAC) is a non-profit educational and public benefit organization focused on using dance, music and other vehicles of creative expression as a means
for community and leadership development. The Beat - BPAC offers
the East Bay community at large, young people, adults, seniors, children and families the opportunity to learn diverse dance art forms - salsa, tango, hip hop, jazz, latin dance, samba, zydeco, ballet and rhythm
tap - creating pathways of creativity that lead to a sustained sense
of accomplishment, direction, physical fitness and cultural community building.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Our programs are focused on a series of dance and movement classes accessible to all ages with an emphasis on adult education. Our unique orientation towards dance and arts education is focused on developing
a strong sense of community and cultural exchange within our classes.
The broad array of dance forms provides exceptional opportunity
for students to learn about the various cultures that have seeded such diverse forms as salsa, samba, ballet, tango, yoga, musical theatre
and jazz/blues.
The East Bay community, a part of the larger San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties is home to myriad arts and culture organizations in which the BPAC will be an active member.
The Beat-BPAC will offer a comprehensive contribution to the various organizations focused on different types of dance and cultural experiences. Our mission is to provide the highest quality, diverse educational dance and cultural experience for our students seeking cultural understanding and skill development within different dance
and artistic forms.
Our stakeholders include adults, school-aged children, senior citizens,
former dancers, body movement aficinados and all those interested
in exploring the connection between movement, dance and expression.
Our non-profit organization provides an all-encompassing program
of dance as a vehicle for cultural creativity and artistic expression.
We hold classes seven days a week during various times of the day.
We currently have a cadre of more than a dozen instructors teaching
a myriad of dance forms. Our instructors and class leaders are some
of the most talented and expert dance and movement faculty in the area.
The Beat-BPAC prides itself on the diversity of our instructors - terms
of expertise, ethnicity, age, life experience and overall range of dance forms. We are creating a diverse representation of dance, movement and rhythmic forms are part of our curricula.
The Beat-BPAC will also be a resource for the wide array of dancers, artists, teacher, arts instructors in the East Bay since it will offer
its studio and teaching spaces to be available for rental. We anticipate that these rentals will strengthen the growing community of individuals
and groups interested in crafting a cadre of creative artists interested
in exploring cultural and community dialogue across and between forms of artistic movement and expression. Our goal is to sustain a vibrant series of events beyond the classes we provide and sponsor.
STRUCTURE:
The Beat is managed by part-time, Executive Director, Roger Dillahunty,
a leader within the Bay Area dance community. Studio and Instructor coordination will be handled by Amy K. Currently, The Beat, Berkeley Arts Center has a four person Board of Directors who represent
the professional and creative expertise necessary to the growth, development and success of an arts organization.
The Beat will have dance faculty who are independent contractors
with The Beat, offering a rich array of workshops, classes and seminars. Student fees generated from classes will be the main source of income for the organization, with additional special events, i.e., national dance impresarios providing special intensives and workshops, and rentals from dance-related events to supplement the Beat’s revenue.
THE BEAT Berkeley Performing ARTS
2560 9th Street, Suite #119 (at Parker)
Berkeley, CA 94710 510.843.2328
www.theberkeleyperformingarts.org
Executive Director
• Roger Dillahunty
Studio Manager
• Roger Dillahunty
Financial Manager
• Robert Marshall - Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer
• Chris Solbakken - Accountant
Board of Directors
• Roger Dillahunty - Executive Director/Manager
• Jim Dennis
• Stephanie Ann Blythe - Secretary
• Robert Marshall - Treasurer
Studio Staff
• Chauncey Roberts - Organization Manager
• Sheila Marsee - Director of Master Tap Series
• Julia Kirillova - Graphic Designer
• Megan Bumpus - Work Exchange Coordinator
Instructors
TAP
• Gregg Geoffroy (Tap)
• Chi Chi
JAZZ
• Lynn Brilhante (Jazz)
• Roger Dillahunty (Jazz)
• Chauncey Roberts (Jazz)
WORLD DANCE
• Dana DeSimone (Zydeco)
• Lisa Lee (Zydeco)
• Homer & Christina Ladas (Tango)
• Felipe & Rosa (Tango)
• Dan & Pier (Tango)
• Andreas Asmus (Tai Chi Chuan)
• Nick & Salsa Vale Todo (Salsa)
• Yismari Ramos (Salsa)
• Erick Barberia ( Afro Cuban Salsa)
• Isaura (Brazilian Dance)
• Sarah Bush (Hip Hop, Modern Jazz)
• Chauncey (Funky Lyrical Jazz)
• Paul (Adult Ballet Workout)
• Katy Yong (Zumba)
CHILDREN CLASSES
• Mary Vivian (Ballet and Pre-Ballet)
Our Work Exchange Program is designed for dance students looking for an opportunity to take dance classes on a regular basis, but are financially strapped to do so. For each hour you work, you will receive one class in exchange. Job Description: Greeting clients, answering phone, signing in dance classes, and light office work. Download our Work Exchange Application and email to Megan Bumpus - megan.bumpus@gmail.com
We are also offering a Special Projects Position
(Special Projects Position uses a special
discounted class card)
Work Exchange Applications can be downloaded
or pick one up at The BEAT.
