Amherst, MA ♦ Amherst Ballet offers quality classes in various genres of dance. The 22-23 season curriculum includes Ballet (ages 4+), Modern, and Hip Hop (ages 12+). Students enrolled in the season classes will have opportunities to participate in the school performances. Monthly payment options for the season classes are available. Adult dancers can take Advanced Beginner or Intermediate/Advanced Ballet as well as Modern and Hip Hop on a drop-in basis. Adults with no previous experience can take a 6-week Introduction to Ballet course. For more information: info@amherstballet.org; 413-549-1555; amherstballet.org.

Amherst, MA ♦ Ukulele, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Rock Band, and Voice in person and online for all ages. Group and private instruction in Beginning I & II, Intermediate and advanced Ukulele, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Bass, Drums, Rock Band and Voice.  Adult Guitar, Ukulele, and Rock Band Groups are offered as well as private voice training. Teachers include: Miss Leticia (guitar, ukulele, rock band, voice); Rusty Daniels (guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, rock band); Rhys Davies (adult rock band), Gruff Davies (Rock Band), Sarah VanElls (Voice). After school and evenings. For more information: missleticia@missleticia.com; 413-246-7338; missleticia.com.

Amherst, MA ♦ The Skating Club of Amherst offers a full schedule of figure skating instruction each year from September – early June. Ice sessions are offered 4 days a week to all level skaters, beginner to advanced, recreational or competitive. Their popular Learn-to-Skate program offers group lessons for ages 4-adult on Sundays. Additional private instruction is offered in freestyle, ice dancing, & testing for those looking to advance their skills. Participation in a spring ice show is available to all members. All sessions are held at the UMass Mullins Center Practice Rink. The club is a United States Figure Skating member & is a private, non-profit organization managed by volunteers. Registration forms, when available, can be printed from the website. For more information: www.scamherst.org; SCofAmherst@gmail.com

Easthampton, MA ♦ Art in Motion was created to bring the amazing gift of dance to the community. With a variety of impact-driven educational programs, Art in Motion welcomes dancers of all ages to a fun and inspiring studio space. The AIM instructors are committed to providing the highest quality of performing arts education to all. With beginner to pre-professional tracks, dancers are encouraged to craft a unique dance journey. The state of the art studios are equipped with sprung dance floors, glassless mirrors and top quality ballet, acrobatics and cross training equipment. Enrollment for our 2022-2023 season is now open! For more information: 413-355-0196; hello@artinmotion413.com; artinmotion413.com

Easthampton, MA ♦ Whether you are new to stained glass, coming back after a break, or quite skilled at the art, Dragonfly Stained Glass Studio is the perfect place for you. Their 1500-square-foot Eastworks studio is fully equipped with tools, glass, and supplies. Beginning classes offer clear, in-depth presentations of stained glass skills & techniques. Intermediate classes & open studio times provide excellent direction and advice to complete a more advanced project students have started or begin a new one. Dragonfly Stained Glass Studio also creates custom stained glass art, offers repairs, sells gift certificates, and buys used stained glass. Discount class tuition for groups of 6 or more students is available. Ages 16 & older; ages 8-15 with a guardian.
For more information: info@DragonflyStainedGlassStudio.com; 413-559-1010; www.DragonflyStainedGlassStudio.com

Florence, MA ♦ The Community Classroom tutoring center helps PreK-12th grade students build their confidence and find joy in learning. Clients are hand-matched with certified teachers through a relationship-based matching process. Professional educators develop and personalize lessons to fit a student’s interests, strengths, and needs. Tutoring is offered in-person in our private classroom, at-home, or online. The Community Classroom also offers academic coaching for middle school and high school students who need extra support navigating the school process. This includes help building organizational skills, executive functioning skills, prioritizing assignments, and developing a plan to catch up on missing work. For more information: megan@thecommunityclassroom.com; 413-341-0740; thecommunityclassroom.com.

Greenfield, MA ♦ Play classical music, learn, and have fun! The Pioneer Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra is currently accepting all instruments. The Youth Orchestra (YO) is an ensemble of talented, hard-working musicians ages 10-18, led by Director Nell Wiener. A year with the YO includes many exciting activities, such as presenting live concerts, playing with the Symphony Orchestra, performing music for their peers in local schools, playing in chamber music groups, and special small group coaching from professional musicians. Rehearsals are Sundays 5-7pm at Greenfield High School, Sept 11 – April 13. Tuition is $150 per semester; partial and full scholarships are available. To join the YO, schedule a placement hearing on our website, by email, or by phone. For more information: youth@pvso.org; 413-773-3664; www.pvsoc.org/youth-orchestra

Greenfield, MA ♦ Find your favorite child care solution this fall! Your Franklin County’s Y has all of your child care needs covered! They have openings for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Of course, they also offer school-age child care throughout the school year. The Y Academy on Main, located at 451 Main Street in Greenfield, offers a safe, affordable, quality preschool education with a curriculum to nurture your child’s development. The Y Academy at the Bolger Center, located on the campus of Northfield Mount Hermon, now cares for your infant, your toddler, and your preschooler. Find your fun. Find your Y. For more information: kyounger@your-y.org; 413-773-3646; www.your-y.org.

Hatfield, MA ♦ Is your kid horse crazy or animal crazy? Red Mare Farm provides year-round dressage-based riding lessons for adults and kids ages 8 and older. Red Mare Farm strives to teach riders to be the best partners with the horse that they can be. Safety, respect, and fun are the essential ingredients. Lesson subscription plans are available, including regular unmounted horsemanship classes for learning beyond the saddle. What are the benefits of kids learning with horses? Develop confidence, compassion, emotional awareness, humility and patience, discipline, and responsibility. Learn to accept disappointment and find resilience. And the list goes on. Join Red Mare Farm, and see for yourself what being involved with horses can do for you and your family. For more information: RedmarefarmLLC@gmail.com; 978-739-4707; www.redmarefarm.com.

Holyoke, MA ♦ Classes at the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet (MAB) emphasize classical ballet technique, musicality, artistry, and creativity. Students receive individual attention and discover that the joy of studying classical ballet is learning to accept a challenge, take a risk, achieve a personal goal, and improve daily. Children begin to study at age 3 in creative movement classes. Regular ballet classes start at age 8 and are also offered for teens and adults. Advanced ballet students take daily lessons and dance in community performances as part of MABETA, the Academy’s not-for-profit initiative. The MAB studios are modern, spacious, and equipped with sprung floors. For more info: rflachs@massacademyofballet.com; 413-536-6200; www.massacademyofballet.com

Housatonic, MA ♦ Classes are offered throughout the year. Berkshire Pulse is a dynamic, welcoming, nonprofit dance, music, and movement arts education center. Outdoor and in-studio year-round programming provides children, teens, and adults the opportunity to engage in the joys of movement, music, and performance while experiencing the rewards of community involvement and fitness – plus the vast benefits of artistic exploration and expression. High-caliber, professional teaching artists offer ongoing classes and workshops from beginner to advanced levels in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Breaking, Creative Dance, Choreography, Musical Theater, Tap, Flamenco, Scottish Folk Dance, West African Drumming, Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga, and more. For more information: berkshire.pulse@gmail.com; 413-274-6624; berkshirepulse.org.

Needham, MA ♦ Plugged In’s Band Program registration is open for kids ages 8-18 of all skill levels. Their programs include Band Class, Songwriting and Production, Digital Audio Production, Creating Music with Coding, and LiveStreaming 101. Registration for private lessons for both youth and adults is ongoing. Plugged In combines music education, philanthropy, and diversity in a creative and collaborative environment that inspires self-confidence, interpersonal connection, and community-building, preparing students for a life of civic participation in an inclusive society. For more information: dan@pluggedinband.org; 781-444-1879; pluggedinband.org.

Northampton, MA ♦ Downtown Sounds Music School provides music education for a wide variety of instruments. They offer in-person and online lessons seven days a week for guitar, piano, voice, bass, drums, percussion, ukulele, brass and woodwind instruments, mandolin, and more. Whether students are just starting, looking to expand their abilities, or learning to play a favorite song, their teachers are passionate about working with students of all ages to meet their musical goals! For more information: lessons@downtownsounds.com; 413-586-0998; downtownsounds.com.

Northampton, MA ♦ The Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley offers classes for all ages in art, dance, music, theatre, writing, and more! New classes are added throughout the year, so sign up for their weekly email newsletter or visit their website regularly. The Center also offers affordable rental space for artists, educators, and local organizations, while developing programming dedicated to arts education, multidisciplinary collaborations, and community connections. They look forward to supporting your artistic endeavors! For more information: programs@nohoarts.org; 413-584-7327; www.nohoarts.org.

Northampton, MA ♦ Founded in 1986, the Northampton Community Music Center offers quality music instruction for all ages and abilities. The Center houses 15 teaching studios, 2 recital halls, keyboard lab, music library, and recording studio. 50 professional faculty members teach private lessons in more than 20 instruments. Other programs include Music Together® for babies and toddlers, a comprehensive Suzuki program in violin, cello and guitar for ages 4+, instrumental and vocal ensembles, multitrack recording, songwriting, and more. There are many programs for adults and seniors, too. Events showcasing professional and student performances are hosted throughout the year. Financial aid is available to all who qualify. Visit ncmc.net for more info.

Northampton, MA ♦ Whole Children’s goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child is successful & valued for who they are, no matter their abilities or disabilities. Visit their new location at 11 Village Hill Rd in Northampton, where they have classes emphasizing social skills, self-advocacy, and just plain fun. They offer a diverse roster of afterschool & weekend classes, including gymnastics, yoga, theater, art, music, cooking, performing arts, and much more. Whole Children is filling a vital need by creating classes where the hard work of skill-building is made social & fun for children of all abilities & by creating a supportive & caring community for their parents. For more info: info@wholechildren.org; 413-585-8010; www.wholechildren.org

Pittsfield, MA ♦ Experience the joy of music at the Berkshire Music School! Take a private lesson for all levels and ages offered in any band or orchestral instrument as well as voice and theory, online or in-person at our historic Pittsfield campus. Lessons may be arranged for 30, 45, or 60 minutes each week to meet the needs of the individual student. BMS’s fun Community Group Classes are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. Visit the Berkshire Music School website for class offerings. Check out why BMS was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “Best After-School Program.” For more information: cpearson@berkshiremusicschool.org; 413-442-1411; www.berkshiremusicschool.org

Springfield, MA ♦ CMSS is now enrolling for in-person and virtual music lessons, classes, and ensembles for students of all ages and levels. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned musician, CMSS takes the time to match you with a teacher who will connect with you while helping you accomplish your personal musical goals. Offering instruction in over 30 instruments and voice, their registration team can help you decide whether to rent or purchase your instrument. Getting started is easy – your music lesson or class is just a click or phone call away!
For more information: info@communitymusicschool.com; 413-732-8428; communitymusicschool.com.

Sunderland, MA ♦ Starlight’s Youth Theatre 2022 fall classes begin Saturday, September 10. Grades 1-3 will present the musical Frosty the Snowman; Grades 4-6 will present the musical Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer. Both shows will be at Amherst Middle School on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Grades 7-12 will be working on straight plays that are all based on true stories: And then they came for me, A Thousand Cranes, and Just before Sleep. Classes will be held at Maple Ridge Community Center in Sunderland, MA. Saturday and Monday classes are available. To register for classes, visit their website. More info: www.starlights-youth-theatre.com.