F103 | African Rooted Dance | Noel Staples-Freeman THIS CLASS HAS MOVED FROM FRIDAY TO THURSDAY Thursdays - 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. In-person at Berkshire Community College |
This course offers a welcoming space for active older adults to explore the foundational rhythms and movements of African-rooted dance.
With enthusiasm and a warm, inclusive spirit, Noel will guide you through this enriching journey into African-rooted dance. Celebrate 2025 by embracing movement, rhythm, and culture in a vibrant and supportive environment! Noel Staples Freeman, affectionately known as Sis. Noel, is a dedicated educator, performer, and cultural ambassador based in Pittsfield, MA. Raised in Dorchester, MA, she holds a B.S. in Children’s Theatre/Performing Arts and Dance from Emerson College (1987) and brings over 40 years of experience teaching and performing in communities both locally and abroad. Noel’s formal dance journey began at age 11 at The Billie Pope School of Dance in Roxbury. Her training expanded to The Boston Conservatory of Music, The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, The Art of Black Dance and Music, and Koumpo West African Dance Company. She is deeply committed to preserving and sharing African cultural heritage through African-rooted dance, offering classes that celebrate cultural expression and resilience. She has worked extensively in the Boston and Lowell Public Schools and as an advocate for students and parents in alternative middle school settings in Dorchester during the 1990s. Her teaching and collaboration extend to organizations like Berkshire Pulse in Great Barrington and Community Access to the Arts in Stockbridge, fostering access to the arts for diverse communities.In addition to her artistic pursuits, Noel actively engages in community advocacy. She has served as a panelist for the Common Good Co-op, co-founded by Kafi Dixon, and participated in the Harvard Medical School webinar, From Racism to Covid-19: Black Women in Community and Ongoing Public Health Crises. A lifelong learner, Noel graduated from the inaugural Community Health Workers Engaging in Integrated Care (COHERE) program at Tufts University School of Medicine in 2023 and earned her DEL (Dance Education Laboratory) teacher certification in 2024. Noel’s dedication to dance, education, and community empowerment continues to inspire and uplift those around her. |
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