President

Emma Whittum is an arts administrative professional and a native to Williamstown. She began and cultivated her dance education at Berkshire Dance Theatre where she danced for 14 years and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Muhlenberg College '19 with two minors in Spanish and Dance. She has worked for numerous arts organizations in the area including Jacob’s Pillow, the Clark, WAM Theatre, Williams College and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She is currently the Finance & Administration Director for the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where she has spent all her summers since 2017. Additionally she is the House Manager for the Williams College Theatre Department in the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance and provides arts financial consulting services for various non-profits. Emma joined the Board of Directors in 2020. 

Vice President

Michelle grew up in the Berkshires. She became a part of the Berkshire Dance Community, as a parent. Her youngest daughter is currently a dancer with BDT in multiple genres of dance. Michelle received her BS at Endicott College and her masters degree in Education from American International College. She is a public school teacher for the North Adams Schools since 2006. She is a license foster parent for Massachusetts Department of Children and Families since 2008. Her hobbies include chasing sunsets, finding waterfalls and shopping at general stores. Michelle joined the Board of Directors in 2024.

Treasurer

Erica currently works in the Finance Department at Adams Community Bank. She grew up in Savoy and Adams. After attending college in New Hampshire she moved to Chicopee and Springfield. An opportunity arose for her to work back in Pittsfield and be closer to home, and she moved back without a second thought. Although Erica did not grow up dancing, she loves attending the recitals and watching her niece dance with BDT! She's an avid lover of the outdoors, gardening, .and snowmobiling. Erica joined the Board of Directors in 2023.

Secretary

Gina grew up in East Greenbush, NY, and moved to North Bennington, Vermont in 2004. She became a part of the Berkshire Dance Community, as a parent of a young dancer who moved from another studio in 2013. Her daughter is currently a dancer with BDT in multiple genres of dance. Gina received her Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Hudson Valley Community College, and studied for her Bachelor’s in Communication at The College of Saint Rose. She has spent most of her career working with people, and currently works in Bennington, Vermont in Human Resources as an Associate Relations Manager for approximately 120 associates. Her hobbies include walking, reading, attending live performances, and “beach time” whenever possible. Gina joined the Board of Directors in 2023. 

Board Member

Abby Scott is an experienced healthcare administrative professional seeking to bring her deep operational expertise and community-first mindset to the organization's Board of Directors. She currently serves as the scheduling coordinator for a busy nursing facility, where she manages complex workforce logistics, balances diverse stakeholder needs, and ensures strict compliance with institutional guidelines. Having previously excelled as an administrative assistant within the same organization, Abby possesses a rare, comprehensive understanding of internal operations, resource management, and team dynamics.

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Before transitioning into healthcare administration, Abby spent years developing sharp communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills across various customer service roles within her local community. This extensive background allows her to advocate effectively for both frontline workers and public interests, making her an exceptional asset for non-profit strategic planning, corporate governance, and community outreach initiatives.

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While Abby takes immense pride in her professional career and her ability to keep critical care systems running smoothly, she considers her family to be her greatest life achievement. Guided by strong values of empathy, integrity, and organizational excellence, she is eager to dedicate her time to advancing the non-profit's mission. Abby joined the board in 2026.

Board Member

An Albany, NY native, Stacey began her dance education with the Cantarella School of Dance, where she cultivated some of the most memorable moments in her life performing various roles with the Berkshire Ballet in The Nutcracker and other classics throughout the region. She recently moved to a defunct farm in Bennington with her husband Paul, daughter, cat, dog, and an occasional eagle that roosts in their field. During her 20 years in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Stacey was an avid supporter of the arts, including serving as a board member for Piper Theater, a non-profit organization that provides professional shows and youth education
programs that are accessible and free to the community. Here in Bennington, she works as Director of Marketing for MSK Engineers, a civil engineering firm focused on environmental justice and community development. In her free time, she enjoys photography, thrift shopping, amateur archaeology, travel, and exploring abandoned buildings. She loves her adult classes with BDT and is looking forward to many more!