WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies, Inc. (BAAMS) announced the addition of a new Board of Directors and eBAAMS PLUS. 

 

Richard Boulger, Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, said he is delighted with the new leadership change.

 

"I could not be more thrilled to have a new board that is impassioned and truly understands the value, mission, and importance of BAAMS. Having a board that brings the same level of heart and commitment as our faculty is truly inspirational," Boulger said.

 

The new board is Edward "Ted" Wesley, President, Michelle Daunais, Secretary, and Maria Isotti, Treasurer. 

 

The Board of Directors bios can be found here.

 

Boulger said BAAMS will continue to offer after-school online music instruction and students will continue to work alongside a world-class faculty including Alex Foster, Saturday Night Live's long-time saxophonist and BAAMS' Co-Director of Music.

 

"I'm excited to be continuing my teaching with BAAMS and looking forward to sharing my musical experiences and lessons with BAAMS' music students," Foster said.

 

While the COVID-19 pandemic limits in-person gatherings, BAAMS will continue to offer free basic access for music students through eBAAMS Fundamental. eBAAMS Fundamental is open to all music students from ages 12 to 18.

 

BAAMS will also offer eBAAMS PLUS, a paid monthly subscription service which gives student members access to BAAMS livestreaming music lessons, as well as recorded audio lectures, and original play-along tracks. 

 

"There are so many children who today more than ever will benefit from what BAAMS offers," Boulger said. "We teach children how to not only play a musical instrument, but also how to improvise and compose their own music and how to express their own emotions and unique life's experiences directly into their music."

 

Interested families or students may visit the web site for more information, at. Both eBAAMS Fundamental and eBAAMS PLUS are available to students through the nonprofit's secure, password-protected online learning portal. 

 

"We are offering something you can't get out of a book — each of our faculty and guest teaching artists are directly connected to a lineage of true legends of music. Faculty members share concrete lessons they learned from their lifetime working, recording, and as former or current band members, with the likes of Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, the 'Saturday Night Live,' Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Charles Mingus, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Miles Davis, Paul McCartney, and countless more."

 

Anyone wishing to support may mail their check to BAAMS, c/- 529 Main St., Williamstown, MA 01267, or make an online donation here.

 

"We are grateful for the generous support of Berkshire County residents and businesses, and from grantmaking organizations such as The Barrett Fund, and appreciate their continued support," said Jane Forrestal, director of development. "It's thanks to them we're able to maintain our commitment to helping children. We're asking for continued support, for folks to join us with our BAAMS Fall 2021 Fundraiser."