PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Music School announced four new faculty members: Carl Bowlby on piano and organ; Abby Daggett on vocal instruction; Ashley Paradis on clarinet; and Julia Rousse Shippee on guitar and ukulele. 

 

Headquartered in Pittsfield, the Berkshire Music School is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the love and pursuit of music for all ages through quality music education activities, community collaborations, and performance opportunities.

 

"We are pleased to welcome some of the best teaching musicians in our community to the BMS faculty to help fulfill the increased demand for private lessons and group classes in some of the most popular instruments," Executive Director Natalie Johnsonius Neubert said.

 

About the new faculty members:

 

Carl Bowlby has played the piano most of his life and is a June 1990 graduate of the then Pittsfield Community Music School (now Berkshire Music School). He went on to study piano performance, composition and recording studio technology at New York University from which he graduated in May of 1995 earning a B.A. from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Since then Carl studied the pipe organ locally and has been playing in churches since the late 1990's. He has also taught and performed in the Berkshires including playing musical theatre at the local high schools, the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY and Barrington Stage Company.

 

Abby Daggett is a musical theatre artist, opera singer, director, music and vocal instructor. She has trained in voice, acting, and dance. For the past six years, she has focused on specialized vocal training, specifically the Bel canto method and Linklater technique. Abby is best known for her acting work across performance mediums like musical theatre, straight plays, and opera/classical performance. As a leading lady, she has performed roles in a variety of pieces, including Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro and Charity in Sweet Charity. Abby has been described as bubbly, energetic, and excited to take on challenging work. Abby has performed in a variety of venues from collegiate stages to new opera companies. She is also passionate about directing, music and vocal instruction. As a voice and music teacher, she inspires those just starting out to share and create empathy through their performances. Abby is a resident of the Berkshires and Boston and has dual degrees in music and theatre from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  

 

Ashley Paradis is currently the Band Director at Pittsfield High School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She directs the PHS Concert Band, Jazz Big Band and Jazz Combos. In addition, she teaches AP Music Theory and four music elective courses; Music Appreciation, Introduction to Guitar, World Drumming and Introduction to Music Theory. Prior to her position at Pittsfield High School, Ashley attended the University of New Hampshire with a Masters of Arts in Conducting (2017) where she served as an assistant to the UNH WIldcat Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Concert Band. In 2015, she received her Bachelors of Music in Music Education also from the University of New Hampshire. In addition to her teaching position, Ashley is very involved within the MMEA-WD, where she is currently serving as Chair-Elect. In past years she has served as the Assistant Concert Band Manager for the Senior Festival (2019), as well as Manager for the Concert Band (2020).

 

Julia Rousse Shippee sings and plays many string instruments, including the upright bass, guitar and ukulele. She taught elementary general music for 17 years and recently received a MM in Music Education from the University of Florida. Her favorite thing to do as a teacher is connect with students and find out what their personal interests are and then work that into the lessons.  

 

To schedule private lessons in piano, voice, clarinet, guitar, ukulele, or another instrument please call the Berkshire Music School at 413-442-1411, or visit the website for online registrations at www.berkshiremusicschool.org.