BAAMS Receives $10K Donation from Noel Family

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies Inc. (BAAMS) has recently garnered significant support from the family of the late Edward J. Noel Jr. 

This backing came in the form of a $10,000 donation awarded in April, facilitated by Kirby Noel, son of the late North Adams educator, through NexPoint Philanthropies of Dallas, Texas, an auxiliary of the Dallas Foundation.

"We were thrilled and delighted, and it came as a pleasant shock that the Noel family would choose to donate that level of sponsorship. In the world of nonprofit arts education fundraising, we hear a lot of nos and our requests may even be ignored — so when you have a family take an avid interest in what your organization is doing, and give of their time, attention, they're curious about it, it's a real breath of fresh air," said BAAMS Director of Development and Communications Jane Forrestal.

Forrestal said BAAMS, a nonprofit music educational institution based in Western Gateway Heritage State Park, was not expecting such a donation. She said Noel and his wife, Judy, had attended many BAAMS events and were supporters of the academy.

After Noel passed away in September 2023, the family discussed making a contribution in his honor.

"At the time of Ed's passing, BAAMS was something Judy and Ed saw as a positive for thecCity and region, and had attended some of our events over the years, so they urged mourners to donate to BAAMS in his memory," Forrestal said. "It was astonishing to receive the support we did back then from so many people whose lives were touched by Ed Noel, from as far away as California, Georgia, Texas. We really had no idea they would continue this legacy of giving in this way."

Kirby Noel explained the motivation behind the gift. 

"This gift is made in memory of Ed Noel — always teacher and coach," he said. "He would do anything for anyone, at any time. He just wanted to help kids get better at whatever they were doing — math, baseball, basketball, rabbit care, building doll houses, etc. It didn't matter what it was, he just wanted to help."

Judy Noel added that her husband had a passion for working with young people and this sentiment fit with BAAMS' mission.  

"Eddie loved working with kids of all ages, and always just pushed them a little to get them to work harder towards their goal." she said. "The first time we heard the BAAMS group perform, we were just totally excited and so happy they would be staying in North Adams. We knew we would be back to listen to them often. BAAMS is a wonderful gift to North Adams and our surrounding area."

Kim Noel emphasized her father's dedication to shaping young futures. 

"My dad was at his happiest when he was having a positive impact on a young person's future," she said. "I know that he would be so happy to be a part of supporting BAAMS in its mission."

Richard Boulger, the executive director of BAAMS, expressed pride in the substantial backing received from the Noel family.

"We're proud to announce tremendous support from the family of Edward J. Noel Jr., who became 'Marquee' level supporters during the month of April," said Boulger. "None of these programs offered at BAAMS would be possible without generous support from private donors such as the Noels, and from grant-making organizations and businesses."

Forrestal added that the money will help continue to support BAAMS after-school instruction and monthly workshops. She added that the funding will also support the Summer Jazz Band Day Camp.

MCLA Kicks Off Fall Term With New President, Full Dorms

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:41AM / Wednesday, September 09, 2026

President Diana Rogers-Atkinson says she's excited to be at MCLA and impressed by the work done by the college's faculty and staff. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts kicked off the school year last week with fully occupied dorms and its "lucky 13th" president. 

 

Diana Rogers-Atkinson welcomed the gathering of staff, faculty and student representatives in the Venable Hall gymnasium for the traditional convocation breakfast on Tuesday, along with several trustees and Mayor Jennifer Macksey. Theater arts professor Laura Stanley sang the alma mater, starting a new tradition. 

 

"This is a great time of the year. It's a time of new beginnings on many levels for us this year, and I'm really excited," said the college's new leader. "I hope everyone is prepared for an exciting school year ahead. I am constantly impressed by the work that the MCLA staff and faculty do every day. You work tirelessly to provide our students with a fantastic education and a home away from home. I want to thank you on behalf of our board for your dedication, determination, and hard work."

 

The hard work is paying off as the college's enrollment continues to climb out of the hole it dropped into during the pandemic. 

 

The college has 162 first-year students and 89 transfer students, Richard Glejzer, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said, up from 219 last year. 

 

"We also have an additional student pool that we've kept separate in our count because it's a one-time pool," he explained. "As we are serving as a teach-out partner for two [closed] institutions, Anna Maria College and Hampshire College, we have two students coming from Anna Maria, and we have 20 students coming from Hampshire College. That brings us up to 272 new students, up 24 percent when you add all this together from this from last year and 29 percent from the year before."

 

He held up his hand to halt the applause to "add one more thing": looking at a "slice" of graduate student numbers, the college is expecting 105 to be enrolled, up from 92 last year.