Trustees

John Bumstead co-founded the New England String Ensemble and was a 17-year member of its cello section. His music education includes studies at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory in Ohio and Manhattan School of Music as well as a Master of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Major teachers include Regina Mushabac, David Finch, Frederick Zlotkin, and Lillian Fuchs for chamber music studies. He is an active performer and educator in the region, regularly performing with Symphony by the Sea, at North Shore Music Theater, and in the chamber ensembles, Due Celli and the Nissitissit String Quartet. In addition to his private studio John is cello professor at UMass Lowell and cello coach at the Summer String Music Festival at Endicott College.

Peter Stickel was concertmaster of the Bucknell University orchestra. During graduate studies in music therapy he studied violin with George Zazofsky, former assistant concertmaster of Boston Symphony Orchestra. Peter performed in a variety of venues before founding New England String Ensemble with John Bumstead and becoming its executive director for the next 15 years. During that time and since he has performed in many orchestras, with touring star attractions, such as Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson and Josh Groban, and in show orchestras, including at Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Emerson Stage, and SpeakEasy. Since 2011 he has been the violinist for the New England Tenors. Peter has co-written the new book, Progressive Form, The New Art of Violin Playing, currently in publication by Indiana University Press.

Girard Healy retired from Accenture and specialized in the asset management industry establishing, strengthening, and scaling functions across middle and back office, operations and technology. He is a respected builder and flexible leader of cross-functional teams, skilled at identifying and developing talent and motivating top performance. He was treasurer of the New England String Orchestra, President of the Brattle Film Foundation in Cambridge Massachusetts. He also served on the board of the Boston House and was Chairman of the Board of Hospitality Homes. He is a Certified Public Accountant.