Faculty

A dedicated, creative and committed faculty is the heart and soul of Berkshire Music School. These highly-skilled educators are all arts professionals. Fourteen have Masters degrees in music, ten have Bachelors, one earned a Doctorate, two are conservatory trained; all have longstanding professional careers. They realize that each individual, ensemble, or group lesson requires customized instruction; an interaction designed to maximize progress toward students' goals.

From teaching young children the very basics of recognizing sound and pitch to fostering the talents of the most gifted musical prodigy, we have the right instructor. Our staff will select the faculty member who is the best match for a student's personality and ability - or students can take a trial lesson and decide for themselves.

Most importantly, our faculty members love to teach. They realize there is no greater task on earth than to teach and share the art form that consumes you.

Faculty profiles as of Fall 2007

Juliana Bilotta, PIANO, is a recent graduate of Valley Forge Christian College, majoring in elementary education. She has five years of experience in early childhood and music education. On faculty since 2005.

Jack Brown, VOICE is an adjunct professor at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, where he teaches voice and directs the MCLA Concert Choir and is also the owner of Beethoven House Music. Mr. Brown made his professional debut as Elijah at Tanglewood's Ozawa Hall in 1995 and has since established himself as a critically acclaimed soloist in over 100 oratorio performances throughout the northeast and Canada.

Sherri James Buxton, VOICE, holds a Bachelor of Music Ed. degree from Indiana University and a Masters of Ed. Degree from Cambridge College. Her professional experience includes the "Girl" in "The Fantasticks," cabaret singing, Broadway, recording and summer stock. She is a music teacher in the Central Berkshire Regional School System. She has taught at BMS from 1983-87 and again since 1995.

Carolina Carry, VOICE was born and raised in Italy, she holds a diploma from Laboratorio di Esercitazioni Sceniche di Roma where she studied acting and theater. She also holds a Bachelors degree in music from Boston College and a Masters degree in composition from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She has extensive experience in performing chamber music and has taught music to children of all ages.

Bill Chapman, JAZZ ENSEMBLE, JAZZ DRUMS, Performs around Northeast with acts including Empire Brass, Bob Newhart, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Rat Pack impersonators from Vegas. Studied with Joe Morello and Peter Coutsouridis. On faculty since 2006.

Ridley Chauvin, VOICE, is on leave to pursue a doctorate at LSU.

Fredric Cohen, OBOE, ENGLISH HORN, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, holds a B. Mus. degree from Oberlin College and an M.A. from Michigan State. He has performed with orchestra and chamber ensembles throughout Europe and the U.S. Fred conducted the BMS Concert Band for nineteen years and its Stage Band. Since retiring as Band Director for the Berkshire Hills Reg. Schools, he has been conducting part-time for the Lenox Public Schools. He has been a Band Director in the Pittsfield schools, and a woodwind instructor at the Rudolf Steiner School in Ghent, NY. He is Principal Oboist for the Torrington Civic Symphony. BMS faculty since 1976.

Beth Craig, CELLO, active performer and composer, holds a B.S. degree from Mannes College, and an M.M. in performance from Kent State University. Major teachers were Claus Adam and Yehuda Hanani. She has been a member of several orchestras; the Orquestra Sinfonica of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Florida Gulf Coast Orchestra, Akron Symphony, and Cleveland Chamber Symphony. She has composed for Robin Becker Dance Company, Shakespeare Alive, and Magic Lantern Puppet Theater. Beth also taught at the Cleveland Music School Settlement, as well as many classes and workshops on creative play and improvisation for children and adults. On faculty since 2005.

Fran Curley, DRUMS, 30+ years experience in jazz, rock, funk, and blues, active player in Berkshire and Hampshire counties. On faculty since 2006.

Michael Downs, VOICE, received his MFA in vocal performance from Bennington College. He is a frequent baritone soloist in standard repertoire, popular song, liturgical music and new works in the Northern Berkshires and Southern Vermont. Michael has taught at Bennington College and co-lead intensive voice workshops in Italy, Portugal, Mexico, and Vermont. He currently teaches at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Bennington Music School. He was appointed to the BMS faculty in 1999. E-mail: mdownover.net.

Judith Gray, VOICE, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. She has had operatic lead performances with Berkshire Opera, New Orleans Opera, Texas Opera Theatre, Arkansas Opera, Mississippi Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, et. al., and orchestral performances with the National Symphony, Alaska Music Festival, Grand Rapids Symphony, et. al. She has taught at BMS since 1994.

Susan Hadfield, PIANO, received a Master of Music with Honors in Piano Performance from The New England Conservatory of Music, Boston. She brings over 30 years of private and classroom teaching experience from schools in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. An accomplished accompanist, she has also taught adult classes in both music appreciation and theory.

Suzanne Higgins, GUITAR, holds a B.A. in music from Florida State University. She studied composition with Andrew York and Jimmy Guiffre. Suzanne was trained in Suzuki Guitar and teaches both classical and popular music. She has taught at Bainbridge Junior College, at Stetson University Community School and currently teaches at Simon's Rock. Currently, Suzanne is a member of several performing groups with styles ranging from Brazilian Samba and World folk to classical guitar and her own compositions. She coaches the Berkshire Music School Guitar Quartet. She was appointed to the BMS faculty in 1988.

David Hodge, GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, comes to the BMS from Chicago, where he taught privately for the past eight years after spending close to two decades performing on the Windy City's local music scene. In addition to his teaching, David is also the managing editor and senior columnist for Guitar Noise (www.guitarnoise.com), where his lessons and articles are read by millions of people from all across the globe.

Rahima Hohlstein, PIANO DMA in piano and theory. On faculty of College of St. Rose, Albany, NY. Active soloist and ensemble player. On faculty since 2007.

Yelena Levina, PIANO, has degrees from Nizhney Novgorod Pedagogical University (Russia) and Nizhney Novgorod Music College. She has taught piano and theory for many years in Russia before coming to the U.S. in 1996. In Pittsfield she was the accompanist for the Berkshire Fiddlers and served as a long-term substitute music teacher at Pittsfield High School. Yelena joined the BMS faculty in 1999.

Bing Liu, VIOLA, VIOLIN, SUZUKI VIOLIN, studied in China at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She has a Master's degree in Viola Performance from Boston University and is now in Boston Conservatory's Performance Diploma program. Bing taught in the Houston Public Schools, the Worcester School for the Arts, the Do Zhi Mei High School for Music in Beijing, the Cho-Yong High School, Berkshire Theater, Chatham High School, Belvoir Terrace, Lenox, and Miss Halls School. She has played at the Central Opera Theatre, Boston University, and the Berkshire Symphony. She joined the faculty of BMS in 2001.

Eileen Markland, VIOLIN, SUZUKI VIOLIN AND VIOLA, FIDDLE, studied violin performance at the Crane School of Music and the Ithaca College School of Music. Currently, Eileen is a frequent free-lance performer with a wide variety of area ensembles, including The Jovia Trio and The Ravin' Mavens. She has performed with the Binghamton, Albany and Berkshire Symphonies. Eileen has composed, performed, and recorded violin music. In 2001, she performed in France and West Africa. In October 2002, she performed at the United Nations' Peace Summit in Switzerland. Eileen was appointed to the BMS staff in 1999.

Kathleen McDonald, VOICE, MFA in vocal performance, experienced instructor from beginning to graduate levels, in solo, opera and musical theatre repertoire. On faculty since 2007.

Christine Mortensen, FRENCH HORN, holds a Bachelor of Music Ed. degree from Oberlin College Conservatory and a Master of Music degree in French Horn from the University of Massachusetts. She is a member of the Berkshire Brass Quintet, the Bennington Woodwind Quintet, the Massachusetts Wind Orchestra, and Ensemble Bacchanal. She is a BMS performing graduate who was appointed to the BMS faculty in 1993.

Art Niedeck, PERCUSSION, Percussion major at Juilliard School of Music. Former Supervisor of Music in the Lenox Public Schools. Percussion instructor at Wahconah Regional High School. Organizer of the monthly Mostly Jazz Jam Sessions. On faculty since 2007.

Christine Noble-Drosehn, VOICE, BA Vocal and Theatre Performance Franklin Pierce College NH. We are given one voice, proper training is essential to enjoy singing. On faculty since 2006.

Chris Oberfield, PIANO, Masters in Elementary education, 35+ years in music education. On faculty since 2006.

Cindy Ogulnick, STRINGS, 30+ years experience with beginner strings. Active free-lance player. On faculty since 2007.

Erica Pickhardt, CELLO, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University, a Master of Music degree from Syracuse University and has had Suzuki training at the Ithaca College Suzuki Institute. Her principal teachers were Leslie Parnas, Burton Kaplan and Eduard Gulabyan. She is assistant principal cellist for the Albany Symphony and a member of the Linden Trio and the Eribeth Chamber Players. She has taught at BMS since 1987.

Zafer Leo Ponter, BASSOON, RECORDER, holds a B.A. degree from Rowan University (NJ). He is principal bassoon with the Sage City Symphony, bassoon with the Bennington (VT) Woodwind Quintet, the Bennington Trio, the Gramercy Quintet (Boston), and bassoon/recorder with the Taconic Consort (MA). He is a frequent free-lance performer with area ensembles. He has been on the faculty of BMS since 1989.

Sharon Powers, FLUTE, ENSEMBLE, 'MUSIC DISCOVERY,' has been on the music faculty as flute instructor and orchestra director at schools in Columbia and Berkshire counties since 1997. She has taught at the International School of Paris, France, The French School of Bangkok, and Corlears School, NYC, among others. Performances include soloing with national orchestras and appearances in major halls in NYC. She received a B.A. in Music (flute and composition) from Bennington College, with graduate classes at Julliard and Manhattan School of Music; also flute studies with Jean-Pierre Rampal. Sharon joined the BMS faculty in 1998. Email: sharonpoweraconic.net

Karl Rausch, GUITAR, Graduate, Berklee College of Music. Experienced teacher of beginner to advanced students. Active recording artist and performer. On faculty since 2007.

Amy Renak, PIANO, holds a B.A. degree in music from Mary Washington College. She has had graduate studies at the Hartt School of Music and Suzuki training with Marilyn Taggart and at the Hartt Suzuki Institute. She is a BMS performing graduate with honors. She is the pianist and harpsichordist for the Ark Trio. Amy is the director of music at Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church and the choir director of Hevreh in Gt. Barrington. She is also the accompanist for the Hilltown Choral Society and New Lebanon Junior and Senior High School. Amy has been a faculty member of BMS since 1988.

Tari Wheeler Roosa, FLUTE, EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Lowell and a Master of Music in Music Ed. from the University of Colorado at Boulder with additional training in Early Childhood and Suzuki. She has taught music in Massachusetts, Vermont and Colorado. She also plays with the Eagles Band and in the Jovia Trio; a flute, violin and piano ensemble. Tari has been a BMS faculty member since 1994.

Harriet Rothstein, PIANO, holds a Master of Music with Distinction from Temple University, and she took first prize in piano at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France. Harriet brings over 25 years of private teaching experience of all ages and 12 years as faculty of music education.

Elizabeth Silver, VIOLIN, VIOLA, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory and a Master of Music degree in violin performance from Syracuse University. She is a member of the Albany Symphony, the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, the Eribeth Chamber Players and the Linden Trio. An active chamber musician, she is a founding member of the Eribeth Chamber Players and performs with the River Quartet. Her Suzuki training was at the Hartt College. She was appointed to the BMS faculty in 1993.

Alice Spatz, DOUBLE BASS, MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION, holds a B.A. degree from the New School for Social Research and a M.F.A. in composition from Bennington College. She has had postgraduate studies at the Hartt College and at Westfield State College; bass studies with Leland Tolo and Gary Karr and composition with Arthur Jannery and Vivian Fine. She is co-author and composer, along with Karr, of bass pedagogy books published by Amati Productions. Other works have been published by Asta, Shawnee Press and W.W. Norton. She is a freelance bass player and a member of the folk music group "Wintergeen." BMS faculty since 1979.

Jean Stackhouse, PIANO PEDAGOGY, served for many years on the faculty of the New England Conservatory where she directed the Piano Pedagogy Program, served as Director of Education, chair of the piano department and founder of the Piano Performance Seminars for their Preparatory School. She is a lecturer and clinician throughout the United States, where her workshop presentations have been featured at Curtis Institute, Eastman School of Music and University of Wisconsin. In the Spring of 2005, the New England Conservatory Preparatory School presented its first “Jean Stackhouse Excellence in Teaching Award” in her honor, the award to be given annually in perpetuity. On faculty since 2005.

Paul Sundberg, TRUMPET, holds a B.A. in Music from Oberlin College Conservatory. He is a former member of the Kansas City Philharmonic, the North Carolina Symphony and the Toledo Symphony. Prior to settling in the Berkshires, he was a New York freelance musician for five years. At Williams College, Paul directs the Brass Ensemble, serves as Adjunct Instructor of Trumpet, and was a principal trumpet of the Berkshire Symphony for twenty years. He has performed with the Berkshire Opera, St. Cecilia Chamber Orchestra, and numerous local groups. He is a founding member of the Berkshire Brass Quintet. He joined the BMS faculty in 1976.

Pete Sweeney, PERCUSSION, has been a professional musician since 1983. He studied with Dave Calarco, Joe Morello and other notable drummers. He also attended the Drummer's Collective of New York City. Pete has been a faculty member of the National Guitar Workshop since 1993. Pete performed on a Grammy-nominated CD with the Jay Traynor Big Band, and on the soundtrack for the Miramax film, "The Castle." He has toured nationally with Tony Kenny of Ireland, and with "Dangerous" Dan Toler of the Allman Brothers. He has written eight books and two DVDs on drumming, published by Alfred. Pete was appointed to the faculty in 2001.

Norman Thibodeau, ENSEMBLE CONDUCTOR/COACH, FLUTE, holds MMus degrees in Flute and in History of Music from Peabody Conservatory. As a flutist, he was a member of the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México and the Albany-based St. Cecilia Orchestra, and recorded music of Anthony Holland for Albany Records. He directed the flute ensemble of the Empire State Youth Orchestra. He also composes, and is published by ALRY Publications. Norman first joined the BMS faculty in 1990.

Kristen Tuttman, PIANO, has a B.A. in Music with Honors from Vassar College. She has had Suzuki training at Hartt College of Music and chamber music studies at Kneisel Hall summer program. She is an experienced accompanist and chamber music program performer, having worked at Syracuse University, SUNY New Paltz, Hartt, and with the Eribeth Chamber Players and the Albany Symphony. Kristen is adept with the Finale computer software program for music publishing. She joined BMS in 1994.

David Wampler, TROMBONE, is a professional trombonist and educator currently teaching at Simon's Rock College of Bard, Gt. Barrington, and The College of St. Rose School of Music, Albany, New York. He has made appearances with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, Broadway touring companies of: Annie; Victor, Victoria; Hello Dolly (w/Carol Channing); Chorus Line; Jesus Christ Super Star; and Joffrey Ballet touring ensemble. He has recorded with Manheim Steamroller/Fresh Aire and the New England Jazz Ensemble.

Alla Zernitskaya, VIOLIN, holds a B.A. from the State Musical College of Belorussia, USSR, an M.A. in violin performance and an M.A. in Violin education from the State Conservatory of Music, Belorussia, USSR, and a teaching certificate from the University of Mass. Alla has participated in workshops in Scotland, Austria, England, and throughout the U.S., most recently in New York City with Daniel Barenboim. She is a former violin instructor at the Belorussian State Conservatory and was a faculty member at Simon's Rock College. She is currently the string program instructor for the Pittsfield public schools. BMS faculty since 1990.