Berkshire Music School adds five new Board Members
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Music School announced the appointments of Evan Lurie, Pam Taxel, Justin Maaia, Nicole Maaia, and Devan Gardner to its Board of Trustees.
Evan Lurie is a composer and pianist who has toured internationally with the Lounge Lizards and his own quintet. He has written for film and television, providing scores for films by Stanley Tucci, Steve Buscemi, and Roberto Benigni. His television work includes music direction and composition for Nickelodeon’s Oswald, The Backyardigans, and Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.
Pam Taxel, a longtime admirer of the Berkshires, has spent many years visiting the region with her husband’s family and now spends summers and early fall here. Drawn to Berkshire Music School through her love of music and its commitment to serving the community, she is excited to become more involved with the organization. Although her professional background is in medicine, she brings extensive experience serving on committees throughout her career and looks forward to contributing that experience to the BMS Board.
After sixteen years in Washington, D.C., Justin Maaia has returned to the Berkshires and joined the Berkshire Music School Board of Trustees. He previously taught at National Cathedral School, where he also served on its governing board, and was a Visiting Scholar at the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education. A lifelong musician, Justin plays saxophone, guitar, and piano and comes from a family deeply connected to the arts. He holds degrees from Suffolk University and Boston University and currently serves as Special Programs Coordinator for the TRIO Program at Berkshire Community College.
Nicole Maaia is thrilled to return home to Pittsfield and the Berkshires and to join the Berkshire Music School Board of Trustees. A dedicated educator for 25 years, she now teaches first grade at Hoosac Valley Elementary School. While in Washington, she served as a faculty representative on her school’s governing board and helped lead its annual fund campaign, encouraging 98% faculty participation and helping inspire broader support from families and alumni. Nicole and her husband, Justin, are proud parents of two daughters, and music has long been an important part of their family life. She looks forward to bringing her experience in education, governance, fundraising, and community engagement to BMS.
Devan Gardner, a lifelong Pittsfield resident, is excited to join the Berkshire Music School Board and give back to the music community that has meant so much to him. A guitarist and singer, he has run Silver Lake Booking since 2022, helping bring alternative music to the Berkshires while supporting local musicians and creating welcoming spaces for people to connect. He currently serves as Assistant Vice President, Lending Project Manager at Greylock Federal Credit Union, holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University, and was recognized as a Berkshire Community College 40 Under 40 honoree. He looks forward to bringing his experience in community building, strategy, and organizational growth to BMS.
