BRATTLEBORO-For 50 years, the Brattleboro School of Dance (BSD) has offered generations of dancers training and performance opportunities while cultivating a dance community in the Brattleboro area.
In 2026, BSD transitioned from private ownership to nonprofit management, marking a new chapter for one of Brattleboro’s longstanding arts institutions. This fall, the school begins its first semester under its nonprofit structure, building on its legacy while expanding its programming and working toward a sustainable model that makes dance accessible to a wider range of people in the community.
Founded in 1976 by Kathleen Keller, BSD was created to meet a local need for inclusive, high-quality dance education for both children and adults. After 36 years of leadership, Keller passed the school to Jennifer Moyse (2012–2017), followed by Bridget Struthers (2018–2026). In July, the school transitioned for a third time, becoming a nonprofit organization formed by four BSD alumni and local community members: Marcía LoMonaco, Serenity Wolf, Cordelia Kipp, and Lucy Billings.
“BSD joins a dynamic ecosystem of nonprofit arts organizations that have long shaped Brattleboro’s identity as an arts town,” wrote organizers in a news release.
“As a nonprofit, BSD can take a more active role in this network and contribute to the creative energy of the town,” board Secretary Lucy Billings said. She added that connections among local arts organizations “can help build the momentum Brattleboro needs for a vibrant future.”
The transition to nonprofit management is “intended to ensure that BSD continues to contribute to the vitality of Brattleboro’s cultural life by creating opportunities for more people to experience the many benefits of dance.“
Board President LoMonaco said BSD hopes all kinds of movers will come this fall and explore what dance has to offer.
The fall semester also marks the arrival of new leadership for the school, with two alumni returning to help shape BSD’s next chapter.
Oliver Greene-Cramer, a BSD alumnus, will serve as interim director, leading the day-to-day operations of the school, teaching classes, and serving as artistic director for the annual Nutcracker production. Greene-Cramer says he brings extensive experience as a professional dancer, dance educator, and choreographer. He has performed with Twyla Tharp Dance, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Ballet Austin, and Los Angeles Dance Project, among others, and has taught at dance schools and companies throughout the country.
Louisa-Marie Mann will serve as children’s program manager, focusing on the development of BSD’s children’s programming.
A BSD alumna herself, Mann went on to earn a BFA in dance from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and spent a decade dancing and teaching in New York City before performing internationally with AXIS Dance Company, based in California. She returned to Vermont in 2025 and is passionate about making dance welcoming and accessible to people of all abilities.
Both Greene-Cramer and Mann will teach during the fall semester.
The fall 2026 schedule brings together a team of more than 20 dance teachers and educators, including many who have taught at BSD for decades, as well as returning alumni and new teachers. Together, they offer over 40 classes for dancers of all ages, experience levels, and interests, from young children taking their first creative movement class to experienced dancers pursuing advanced training.
The schedule also includes options for adults who are new to dance or returning after time away, as well as conditioning classes designed to support strength, balance, and mobility at every age. For the complete fall 2026 class schedule and registration information, visit brattleboroschoolofdance.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.