Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Professional Dance Performances & Education in Western Massachusetts
For fifty years, the Olga Dunn Dance has been dedicated to advancing dance as a transformative art form through professional performances, educational outreach, and community engagement. Founded by Olga Dunn, a visionary choreographer with extensive training in ballet and modern dance, our company has performed at prestigious venues including Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, and The Egg in Albany. Our dancers rehearse 46 weeks annually, delivering original choreography that blends technical precision with emotional storytelling. We collaborate with renowned artists like the Albany Pro Musica and Berkshire Big Band to create multidimensional productions that resonate with diverse audiences. As one of the first year-round non-profit dance organizations in Western Massachusetts, we prioritize accessibility through school programs, lecture-demonstrations, and outreach initiatives that have reached thousands.Our accolades include Massachusetts Cultural Council funding, Jacob's Pillow fellowships, and recognition as a vital cultural contributor in the Berkshires. Under Olga Dunn's artistic direction, we continue to innovate while maintaining rigorous standards of excellence. Our mission remains to uplift, enlighten, and entertain through dance, fostering deeper appreciation for the art form across generations. With a legacy of artistic integrity and community impact, we remain committed to pushing creative boundaries while preserving dance's power to connect people.
Services
Full-Length Performances
Lecture Demonstrations
School Outreach Programs
Community Workshops
Artist Collaborations
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of professional dance expertise with performances at prestigious venues
- Our company collaborates with renowned regional artists for multidimensional productions
- We provide year-round educational outreach programs to schools and communities
- Our dancers maintain rigorous rehearsal schedules for technical excellence
- We've received multiple state arts funding awards and festival recognitions
Associations and certifications
- Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
What people say
Soul-satisfying fluidity
Original choreography
Educational value
Artistic excellence
Community impact
Services
Full-Length Performances
Our professional dance company presents evening-length performances featuring original choreography. These productions combine technical precision with artistic storytelling at venues like Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow. Each performance showcases our commitment to creating engaging, multidimensional dance experiences through collaboration with musicians and visual artists.
Lecture Demonstrations
Interactive dance education sessions tailored for school audiences. These demonstrations explain choreographic concepts while showcasing performance excerpts. Designed for all grade levels, our programs make dance accessible through live demonstrations that connect artistic technique with historical context and creative process.
Community Outreach
Free and accessible dance programs for diverse community settings. Our outreach includes performances at nursing homes, public festivals, and benefit events. We bring dance to underserved populations through tailored programs that demonstrate the art form's relevance to different life experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Artist Collaborations
Joint productions with regional musicians and performing artists. We've worked with Albany Pro Musica, Berkshire Big Band, and Joanne Shenandoah to create integrated performances. These collaborations expand dance's expressive possibilities through interdisciplinary artistic exchange that enriches both forms.
Master Classes
Skill-building dance instruction for students and professionals. Our workshops focus on technique development and creative exploration under Olga Dunn's artistic direction. Participants gain insight into our choreographic process while improving their technical abilities through structured practice and personalized feedback.
People
Olga Dunn
Artistic Director
Internationally trained choreographer with decades of experience in ballet and modern dance. Founded the company in 1975 after studying at prestigious institutions including Royal Canadian School of Ballet and working with influential dance figures in New York City.
Questions
What types of performances do you offer?
We provide full-length stage productions and adaptable lecture-demonstrations suitable for schools and community venues.
How long has the company been active?
We've been creating and performing original dance works since 1975, with 50 years of continuous operation.
Do you offer educational programs?
Yes, we provide lecture-demonstrations and workshops tailored for different age groups and educational settings.
Where have you performed previously?
Our performance history includes Jacob's Pillow, Tanglewood, The Egg in Albany, and numerous regional venues across the Northeast.
How is the company funded?
As a non-profit, we receive state arts funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and private donations.
