This movement class for trans and nonbinary folx takes a gentle somatic approach to breath, movement, and self-expression. The class will incorporate improvisation and basic dance technique to explore an all-levels approach to moving and grooving. Beginning with a guided improvisational warm-up, the class will build energy and heat through passes across the floor and opportunities to workshop movement in the center. Each class will end with a short phrase exploration or dance-making prompt. Alternatives will be provided to accommodate all levels of movers. Participants are encouraged to wear pants and long sleeves for ease of movement, and class will be taught in socks or barefoot. Our instructor for this class will be Berkshire Pulse Youth Performing Arts Program Coordinator Gillian Ebersole.
Trans Dance Class is inclusive of anyone who identifies as not-the-gender-they-were-assigned-at-birth, so trans, nonbinary, and all gender-nonconforming folx are welcomed.
The class is for ages 12-adult, and children under the age of 12 are welcome to accompany their trans/nonbinary parents.
Questions may be directed to info@seeingrainbows.org or berkshire.pulse@gmail.com.
About Gillian Ebersole
Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Denver, Colorado, Gillian Ebersole (they/them) is a dancer and choreographer, as well as a poet, dance writer, and researcher. Gillian graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a dual degree in Dance and English. Performed on stages in Los Angeles, Denver, and Paris, as well as across Berkshire County, their choreographic work merges a love for language and for movement. Gillian trained with Denver contemporary dance company Wonderbound, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Whyteberg, Gibney, and Bill T. Jones. Most recently, Gillian has performed and presented work at multiple venues in Berkshire County, including Jacob’s Pillow, The Foundry, and Chesterwood. Drawn to the communal embodied experience. Gillian is a certified yoga instructor and has taught both dance and yoga in studios and community spaces. After moving to Western Massachusetts to work for Jacob’s Pillow, Gillian became a Teaching Artist Fellow as part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Youth Development program. Currently, Gillian works for Berkshire Pulse as the Youth Performing Arts Program Coordinator and is proud to be a member of their Modern Dance Faculty.