NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The nonprofit music academy Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies, Inc. (BAAMS) will hold its seventh annual music day camp this summer, offering a full week of music learning and performing for young people.
"It's a rare, memorable experience," said Richard Boulger, founder and executive director. "No enthusiastic young musician should miss, to be able to learn from some of the finest musicians in the country, right here close to home."
The 7th Annual Berkshires' Summer Jazz Band Day Camp will take place July 14-18, 2025, at BAAMS headquarters in Building 6 at Heritage State Park, off Furnace Street, in North Adams. Students should have at least one year of musical experience; exceptions may be made for slightly younger or older students on a case-by-case basis.
Instruments taught include trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, and vocals. The camp will also cover ear training, improvisation, and music theory.
This summer's faculty includes three-time Grammy-winning pianist Dario Boente; guitarist and former Juilliard faculty member Rodney Jones; percussionist, guitarist, and vocalist Mino Cinelu, known for his work with Weather Report, Miles Davis, and Sting; bassist Alex Blake, who has performed with Manhattan Transfer, Sun Ra Arkestra, and Randy Weston; saxophonist Ron Blake, known for his work on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and as a faculty member at the Juilliard School of Music. The brass instrumentalists will be led by Richard Boulger, a former Allman Brothers Band trumpet and flugelhorn player and a protégé of trumpet legends Freddie Hubbard and Donald Byrd.
Additional faculty members may be announced.
In years past, students have attended from around Berkshire County and across the state, as well as from Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and NY State.
"It's also wonderful to see the progress our students make working together for five straight days, and the friendships they form with other young musicians here at BAAMS will last a lifetime," Boulger added.
For more information or to register, contact BAAMS — the Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies — by emailing info@berkshiresacademyams.org or messaging via Instagram @wearebaams.
Businesses or philanthropists interested in supporting the camp can contact BAAMS Director of Development Jane Forrestal at (413) 663-4424. BAAMS is a nonprofit corporation and registered Massachusetts public charity.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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