Faculty

A dedicated, creative and committed faculty is the heart and soul of Berkshire Music School. These highly-skilled educators are all arts professionals. 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.

Faculty profiles as of 2008

Jack Brown, VOICE, Active concert singer and conductor. Faculty: Simons Rock, The Hotchkiss School. Artistic Director Berkshire Lyric. On faculty since 2006.

Sherri James Buxton, VOICE, B.ME, Ind. Univ. M.Ed Cambridge College; appeared on Broadway. Currently active professional cabaret singer and public school teacher. On faculty since 1991.

Carolina Carry, CHOIR Experienced educator in acting and music for children. On faculty since 2005.

Ridley Chauvin, VOICE, On leave to pursue doctorate at LSU.

Bill Chapman, JAZZ ENSEMBLE, JAZZ DRUMS, Performs around Northeast with acts including Empire Brass, Bob Newhart, Nelson Riddle Orchestra. On faculty since 2006.

Beth Craig, CELLO, M.M. in performance from Kent State U. Frequent performer, composer. 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.

Judith Gray, VOICE, Soloist performing oratorio, recital and orchestral works. Teaches at Smith College and Berkshire School, Sheffield. Masters of Music in Voice Performance from U. Michigan. On faculty since 1994.

Paul Green, CLARINET, SAXIPHONE, BA, Yale, MS, Juilliard. Principal clarinet of Miami City Ballet, Klezmer artist. New faculty member.

Susan Hadfield, PIANO, M.M. in performance from N.E. Conservatory. On faculty since 2006.

Suzanne Higgins, GUITAR, Composer; performer; instructor of guitar, mandolin, banjo, Suzuki guitar. On faculty since 1988.

David Hodge, GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, Twenty years of performing in Chicago; managing editor and senior columnist for Guitar Noise. On faculty since 2004.

Rahima Hohlstein, PIANO DMA in piano and theory. Active soloist and ensemble player. On faculty since 2007.

Yelena Levina, PIANO, Many years experience in piano and theory instruction in Russia. On faculty since 1999.

Bing Liu, VIOLA, VIOLIN, SActive solo career; orchestral performer. Member of Berkshire Trio, and Suzuki Assn. of America. On faculty since 2001.

Charles Marshall, PIANO, BS, Music Education. 35+ year in music and piano instruction, grades Pre-K-12. New faculty member.

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

Christine Mortensen, FRENCH HORN, Active performer; member of Berkshire Brass Quintet. On faculty since 1993.

Joanne Nelson-Unczur, OBOE, MM, Cincinnati Conservatory. Active performer, public school music instructor. New faculty member.

Art Niedeck, PERCUSSION, Juilliard School of Music. Percussion instructor at Wahconah Regional High School. On faculty since 2007.

Christine Noble-Drosehn, VOICE, BA Vocal and Theatre Performance Franklin Pierce College NH. 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, Assistant principal cellist for the Albany Symphony Orchestra. On faculty since 1987.

Zafer Ponter, BASSOON, RECORDER, Active freelance performer. On faculty since 1989.

Sharon Powers, FLUTE, Active teacher and performer. Taught and performed as a soloist in New York City and abroad. On faculty since 1998.

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, Active educator, performer and accompanist. Faculty: Berkshire Community College. Choir director and organist. On faculty since 1988.

Tari Wheeler Roosa, FLUTE, PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, Active educator and performer. On faculty since 1994.

Harriet Rothstein, PIANO, MM with Distinction and Doctoral studies, Temple University. Active career as collaborative pianist, 25+ years of teaching. On faculty since 2005.

Alice Spatz, DOUBLE BASS, MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION, Active performer with "Winter- Green" ensemble; published composer. On faculty since 1979.

Jean Stackhouse, PIANO, Former faculty: New England Conservatory, director of education and piano department chair. N.E. Conservatory Preparatory. On faculty since 2005.

Paul Sundberg, TRUMPET, Founding member, Berkshire Brass Quintet. Former member of Kansas City Philharmonic. On faculty since 1976.

Pete Sweeney, PERCUSSION, Toured nationally for more than twenty years; has published several technique books. On faculty since 2001.

Norman Thibodeau, FLUTE, ORCHESTRA, Recently served as assistant principal flute of the Orquest Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico; conductor and composer. On faculty since 1990.

Kristen Tuttman, PIANO, Active pianist and chamber music performer. On faculty since 1994.

David Wampler, TROMBONE, On faculty of College of St. Rose and Simon's Rock. Professional player. On faculty since 1988.

Alla Zernitskaya, VIOLIN, VIOLA, Currently string program instructor for the Pittsfield public schools. On faculty since 1990.