The Albany Berkshire Ballet has a rich and varied history. It began in the mid-1950s with the Cantarella School of Dance in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Founded by Artistic Director Madeline Cantarella Culpo, the school advanced its students to the Berkshire Ballet Guild in 1960. This led to the formation of the Berkshire Civic Ballet in 1969, which then became the Berkshire Ballet and eventually the Albany Berkshire Ballet in 1989. The Albany Berkshire Ballet is now a 501 nonprofit performing company. The Albany Berkshire Ballet has a legacy of excellence, having trained and presented dancers at all levels of proficiency. Artistic Director Madeline Cantarella Culpo and the Cantarella School of Dance formed the foundation of this progress. The school's advanced students were presented with an opportunity to perform in the Berkshire Ballet Guild in 1960. This rapidly evolved into a professional company and in 1969 the Berkshire Civic Ballet was formed. The company has since expanded to become the Albany Berkshire Ballet in 1989. The Albany Berkshire Ballet is a recognized 501 nonprofit performing dance company. It has provided dancers with exceptional training and has presented shows at all levels of proficiency. With a history stretching back to the mid-1950s, the company has grown and evolved through the years, thanks to the vision of Artistic Director Madeline Cantarella Culpo. The school's advanced students were presented with an opportunity to perform in the Berkshire Ballet Guild in 1960, which then expanded into the professional company known today as the Albany Berkshire Ballet.