Director Named to Lead New Pittsfield Music Program
 |
Inspired by the El Sistema model of music and social justice created in Venezuela and now in place throughout the world, the program will provide after-school music education to children attending Conte and Morningside Community schools beginning in January. El Sistema has been heralded for its success in helping children to increase academic, musical and life skills, supporting families and strengthening communities.
Montilla brings extensive music, education and El Sistema experience to her new role. She is a 2011 graduate of the Abreu Fellows Program at the New England Conservatory in Boston, which prepares classically trained musicians to tailor and manage an El Sistema program to best serve the community in which it is located.
"We are delighted to have a person of Marie's caliber, credentials and experience to lead an important new program for Berkshire Children and Families," Carolyn Mower Burns, president and CEO, said. "Her background in both music and education make her an ideal partner for colleagues within the Pittsfield Public Schools where the program will be housed, and her deep experience leading an El Sistema program in Venezuela will be invaluable as BCF launches this program for the benefit of the Pittsfield community in January."
Montilla received a bachelor of music (violin performance) from the University of Louisville, Ky., and a masters of music from Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela. She also completed postbaccalaureate studies in linguistics and music at Indiana University in Bloomington, and additional postbaccalaureate studies in early childhood education at Arizona State University in Phoenix.
Prior to entering the Abreu Fellows Program, Montilla was the director of Orquesta Infantil San Antonio de los Altos, a children's orchestra within the Venezuela National System of Children and Youth Orchestras, for two years. There, she was responsible for creating an orchestra program for beginners including all aspect of program administration such as hiring teaching artists, conducting, selecting and arranging music, and fostering teacher/parent collaborations.
Her public education experience includes teaching French, arts, music and humanities courses in the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Ky., and in the Mesa (Ariz.) Public Schools. She will reside in Pittsfield with her husband and daughter.
Tags: music, schools,
