Berkshire Music School Hosts Matt Cusson Performance

11:32AM / Tuesday, April 22, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Music School (BMS) will present a performance featuring Grammy-nominated alumnus Matt Cusson on April 26, 2025, at the St. Germain Stage.

The event will also include performances by BMS scholarship recipients and community group classes.

The event aims to celebrate community and support BMS's outreach programs. BMS reports serving 1,900 students through community outreach in Berkshire County schools and providing financial aid to 51 students, totaling over $35,000 annually. Additionally, 60 percent of the 250 students enrolled in BMS's "pay-what-you-wish" group classes do not pay for the classes.

Matt Cusson, a BMS alumnus, has collaborated with artists including Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Dua Lipa, Boys II Men, and Christina Aguilera. He has received a Grammy nomination, a Billboard Songwriting Award, and the Maxell Song of The Year award.

Other performers at the event will include Artois Sancho, Zoe-Ruth Brizan, James Ryan, the Berkshire Music School Adult Flute Ensemble, and the Youth Rock Band.

Sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $500. Proceeds from the event will support BMS's efforts to provide accessible music education.

The event will be held at the St. Germain Stage, located at 36 Linden St, Pittsfield. Food service begins at 5:30 p.m., doors open at 6:00 p.m., and performances start at 7:00 p. Each ticket purchase includes a meal. Tickets are available for purchase, starting at $25.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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