Karen Carreira, Director of Music and Vocational Programs, brings unique gifts to BHMA as a board-certified music therapist, licensed mental health clinician, and professional vocalist. She received her BA from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, and her MA from Lesely University in Cambridge, MA. One of BHMA’s staff members from the beginning, she helped design and continues to teach the vocational “Human Service” curriculum that prepares our students to work with small children and elders. Karen has set up field work at community sites such as nursing homes and daycare centers, where our students gain hands-on experience using their music in therapeutic ways. She has worked closely with the Berklee College of Music to establish a music therapy internship at BHMA. A trained soprano, she can also be found singing at weddings and in the Springfield Symphony Chorus.

Carol Curtis, Office Manager, brings over fifteen years of office management experience to BHMA. She has worked in both private industry and non-profit organizations. She received an AA from Springfield Technical Community College in Data Processing and is currently pursuing her B.S. in Health and Human Services with an emphasis on Community Health through University without Walls at UMass Amherst. Carol works closely with the business office to ensure the smooth operations of BHMA facilities and human resources

Jennifer Fenton, Residential Advisor, Jennifer earned a B.A. in History from Westfield State College in 2011.  She spent three summers working at Camp Hodgkin’s. This program was designed to help young people with special needs and is where Jennifer discovered her passion for working with special needs students. While not a musician herself, Jennifer loves listening to music.  In her free time, Jennifer enjoys history, reading, travel, and animals.

Mallory Finne, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist who graduated from Anna Maria College with a degree in Music Therapy. Since graduation, Mallory has worked in settings such as schools, nursing homes, hospice programs, as well as operating her own private practice at home. In addition to music therapy, Mallory has also taught piano and voice lessons privately and through music school. In her spare time, Mallory enjoys singing for special occasions and songwriting.

Andrea Franz, Social Worker, attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, as an undergraduate, where she majored in psychology. She completed her Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W) at Boston University, and interned at New England Medical Center and Boston Public Schools. A music lover, she studied piano at South Shore Conservatory as a child and sang in her high school chorus. At BHMA, she offers guidance and support to students and staff in dealing with emotional and behavioral concerns. She leads Healthy Relationships, a weekly therapeutic group that focuses on advocating for self, solving problems, respecting boundaries, and communicating--whether with roommate, boyfriend or girlfriend, parent, or teacher.

Tom Gajewski, Director of Academic Programs, is proficient both in special education and in music. He has been teaching at BHMA since the school first opened and has helped integrate music into the teaching of reading proficiency, mathematics, and computer use. His background includes a B.S. from Cornell University, a M.S. in Special Education from Binghamton University, a C.A.S. in Educational Administration from S.U.N.Y. at Cortland, and participation in doctoral studies in education theory and practice at Binghamton. Tom plays numerous instruments, including guitar, clarinet, fiddle, and mandolin. An avid folk dancer, Tom serves as the accompanist for a local group of traditional English Morris Dancers. At BHMA Tom is known for his wit and ingenuity in creating strategies for learning.

Karen Noel, Residential Director, has over twenty years of experience working with young people in a residential setting.  Karen received her B.S. degree in Marketing, and in 2006; she received her Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W) from Springfield College.  Karen’s passion for working with people with disabilities is outstanding as she promotes self efficacy in all of our students.  Karen enjoys biking, kayaking, reading, dancing and music.  Karen is currently learning to play the Saxophone. She feels the passion for music at BHMA is contagious and she looks forward to improving her musical skills and sharing her active life style with our students.

Michelle Kostek, Music Business Manager, began performing at a young age, taking part in several in-state piano festivals growing up and lending her voice to various groups around her home state of New Hampshire. As a featured vocalist and dancer for the Showstopper's Orchestra, she toured throughout the US, Canada, and Ireland, and was featured with her group on such shows as Good Morning America and The Lawrence Welk Show. In 2004, Michelle graduated from Berklee College of Music, earning a degree in Songwriting and Vocal Performance. She spent the next three years in Nashville, TN performing with local groups and immersing herself in the songwriter scene. Upon returning to New England in 2006, Michelle released her first CD, Wallflower and has since been performing locally and teaching both piano and voice lessons. As a member of the music department at BHMA, Michelle is responsible for booking the Troupe's performances, as well as running the student chorus with fellow staff member Tom Slowick.

Karen Light, Chef, is in her third year at BHMA. Karen became an assistant chef at BHMA in 2008 and as of September 2010, she became our Head Chef. Karen's background is in Art Education and she always had a passion for cooking, especially baking. Karen's menus include mostly comfort food that our students and staff enjoy. Karen enjoys the freedom to be creative in the BHMA kitchen and she finds satisfaction in cooking for such a close knit family.

Greg Rolland, Director of Finance and Operations, received his MBA from the University of Massachusetts and  has over fifteen years of experience leading non-profits and business operations.  Greg is a certified public accountant has worked for public accounting firms in the greater Springfield area as senior auditor. His past experience includes program management for education-based non-profits, outdoor leadership in Alaska and Montana, and he can purportedly carry a tune.

Fulton Rice, Residential Advisor, attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he graduated from the Isenberg School of Management in the spring of 2008 with a degree in sport management. While in school, Fulton volunteered at BHMA as a part of the Boltwood Project during his junior and senior years, where he met many current and former students. Upon graduation, Fulton began working at BHMA and is currently enjoying his third year as an Advisor. Fulton is an avid sports fan and participates in the Special Olympics as a unified mentor for the BHMA soccer and basketball teams alongside Co-Residential Director Tom Varghese. While never being particularly musical himself, Fulton has relished the chance to learn about music from the students and enjoys music and its history during his free time. Some of his other interests include writing, philosophy, and law. As an Advisor, Fulton aids the students with their daily living skills; his favorite part of the job is contributing to a non-judgmental community than encourages and appreciates artistic expression in all people.

Gina Rege, Residential Advisor, has been a member of the Academy's Residential Department for four years. After completing an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts, Gina put her University plans on hold in order to pursue her musical interests in a more focused setting. This lead to the discovery of Berkshire Hills Music Academy, where a combined appreciation for music and education created an ideal work environment for Gina. Gina's natural curiousity expands beyond music, including animal rights laws and the justice system. In her down time, Gina can often be heard playing guitar, bongos, keyboards, clarinet, and, more recently, the kalimba.

Gary Shaw, Executive Director, joins the Academy in 2011 as Executive Director. He brings with him over thirty years of experience providing educational and development opportunities for people with special needs. For the past 12 years, he served The Berkshire Center, a program in nearby Lee, MA for young adults with learning differences and Asperger syndrome, as Admissions Director and Program Director, and as National Director of Admissions for the center’s College Internship Program. Gary received his B.A. in Education from Queens College in New York City and his M.Ed. in Administration and Management from Cambridge College in Springfield, MA. He published an article to help parents and scholars evaluate residential treatment programs and schools, and he has presented at numerous national conferences. Gary’s own personal journey as the father of a son with learning differences gives him an added capacity to understand families’ hopes and dreams for their children and to provide them with the support and guidance they need. Gary resides in Monterey, MA with his wife, Laurie. He is the ideal leader for BHMA as it transitions to its second decade.

Tom Slowick, Performance Manager, studied piano at the Hartt School of Music with Ray Hanson and Daniel Pollack. He received his B.M. from the Philadelphia Musical Academy in performance, where he studied with the world-renowned pianist Madam Genia Robinor of the Curtis Institute. Not only is Tom the Performance Manager of the BHMA Troupe, but he works in many other venues as well. Tom is the rehearsal pianist for the "Five Colleges" Dance Departments. He is the Musical Director for many local theater groups, including those of Springfield College, Bay Path College, Exit 7 Players, and The Opera House Players in Broadbrook, CT. Tom has performed as a soloist and in numerous ensembles at a variety of concert venues. Tom has been affiliated and a performing member of the Morning Music Club in Springfield for the past 25 years. He is a resident of East Longmeadow, where he teaches piano and musical theater privately from his home studio.

Linda Tiley, Life Skills Teacher, has been working in the field of special education for over ten years.  Linda has a M.Ed in Special Education from American International College.  She has a life-long love of music and has studied the French horn.  Linda also sang with multiple choral groups at Smith College. Though Linda no longer considers herself a performance musician, she is still a most appreciative audience member. In addition to her love of music, Linda brings her enthusiasm for life and passion for education, to her work at Berkshire Hills Music Academy.

Kristen Tillona, Director of Admissions and Marketing, has eleven years of private school experience in admissions, marketing, and teaching. She received her B.S. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and although she has lived out of state for the past eleven years, Massachusetts is home. Kristen is a French horn and trumpet player and studied music in college before switching to the sciences. Kristen oversees admissions and marketing for BHMA. She also works directly with the ELC students and Troupe in marketing the Academy while educating people about our student’s abilities.