BMS Music Magnet 8, Chorus & General Music

Ms. Cook is the choral director at Burncoat Middle School for the Arts and has been teaching within the Worcester Public Schools district since 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with a concentration in Voice from UMass, Amherst, a Master of Education from Fitchburg State University with a Fine Arts Director Certificate, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Positive Behavior Supports from Assumption College. Andrea has continued to develop musically as a soprano, an assistant conductor, and a guest-conductor of professional choirs with recent choral performances at Mechanics Hall and the Hanover Theater in Worcester. Ms. Cook serves on the executive board for the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association. She has presented her curriculum at workshops for music educators and has also recently been published in the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Journal.  Through a variety of creative channels, she continues to strive to bring the joy of quality music education to all of her students within the Metrowest area of Massachusetts.

cooka@worcesterschools.net

BHS Music Magnet, AP Music Theory, Orchestra, Band

Mrs. Lord is currently the director of the Music Magnet program for Burncoat High School in Worcester - she teaches Music Magnet 1, 2 and AP Music Theory; is the director of orchestra, band, pep band, jazz band and advisor for the BHS Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Hired in the Worcester Public Schools district in February, 2005, Meredith has taught general music, chorus, small-group instrumental lessons, band and orchestra to students in Pre-K through twelfth grade. She studied at UMass Amherst to receive her B.A. Music Ed (2005), M.A. Music Ed. (2008), and CAGS in Orchestral Conducting from Messiah University (2021). She received a Grammy nomination in Music Education (2022) and was awarded the Eastern Division William P. Foster Community Development Award presented at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago (December 2022). Advocacy for arts and music education for all is incredibly important to her and is so grateful and happy to work with her students and colleagues every day doing something they all love.

Specialties & Certifications: Orchestral Conducting, Band, Orff I and II, General Music Education, Instrumental Music Education, Flute and Piccolo.

Currently serving: as the High School Representative for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association since July, 2017; on the Music Worcester Board of Directors and education committee since September 2011. Meredith enjoys performing on the flute and piccolo with the Valley Winds and the Worcester Winds Dectet.

lordm@worcesterschools.net

BMS Music Magnet 7, Band & General Music

Mr. Saldana has been a strings, band, and general music teacher in the Worcester Public Schools since 2000. He has Music Education degrees from UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst, and a CAGS in Special Education from Assumption College. In addition to teaching in the Worcester Public Schools, he has a private guitar studio and performs with several local bands as well as in in musical theater pits. He has been a Burncoat Magnet and Band teacher since 2017.

saldanai@worcesterschools.net

Quadrivium, Music Apprection BHS Music Magnet 4

Ilanna Tariff is excited to join the Burncoat Family! Ilanna has been teaching private lessons for 14 years and has been a school music teacher for 8 years. This is Ilanna’s third year as an Associate Conductor for the Boston chapter of the Grammy award winning National Children’s Chorus! Some of her favorite performances have been performing with The King’s Singers in Santa Clara, CA, singing at the Vatican, and performing in venues throughout Prague. She has taught in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California and Texas. Additionally, one summer Tariff toured the country teaching with Missoula Children’s Theater. Ilanna earned a Master of Arts degree in Choral Music Education at New York University and was also the recipient of the Steinhardt Award for Distinguished Achievement and Leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Texas State University with a minor in theater. Her favorite style of music to sing is Musical Theater. Aside from music and theater, Ilanna loves Disney, traveling, Starbucks, and her standard poodle, Minnie. 

Piano Consultant, Recital Accompanist

A native of Tbilisi, Georgia, received her Bachelor's Degree from Tbilisi State Conservatory where she majored in Piano Performance and Pedagogy under the guidance of Professor Temur Matureli. A very active performer since a young age, she was an award recipient in numerous competitions including the Competition of Young Performers in Yerevan, Armenia, the Young Performers Competition in Moscow, Russia, and the Young Performers Competition in Tbilisi, Georgia. 

Ms. Babajanian has performed in festivals all over the world including the International Music Festival in Moscow, Russia, the Annual Spring Piano Music Festival in Tbilisi, Georgia, the Days of Russian Music in Amsterdam, Holland, the International Chamber Music Festival in Telavy, Georgia, and the Days of Georgian and Russian Music in Yerevan, Armenia.  Ms. Babadjanian performed as a soloist with various orchestras throughout Russia, Georgia, and Holland, collaborating with famous conductors such as Djemal Gokieli, Revaz Takidze, Jansug Kakhidze of Georgia and Dmitry Serov of Russia.

​As a collaborative pianist with her husband, she performed for world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. She has performed at several local venues including The Boston Conservatory and the Longy School in Cambridge, MA. Since 1998, Narine has devoted her music career to teaching. She was on the faculty of various music schools and colleges, including Tbilisi State Conservatory, Georgia, and Tbilisi College of Music, Georgia, Piano Studio in Los Angeles, CA, Diva Music school, Wayland, MA, Apple Tree Arts school, Grafton, MA, Dedham School of Music, Dedham, MA.

Cello Consultant

Was born in 1966 in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. Started his musical career at the age of ten with Alexander Morgunov. After studying in music school and college, became a student of professor Revaz Machabeli and professor Eldar Isakadze in Tbilisi State Conservatory. In 1992, Alex graduated from Tbilisi State Conservatory and Post-Graduate Studies in 1994. Since that time he has been teaching and performing in  various chamber groups, chamber and symphony orchestras. Alex then moved to United State in 1995 and graduated from Longy School of Music in 1998 (Artist Diploma).  He took Master Classes with Natalya Gutman and Yo-Yo-Ma. Currently he teaches cello in a number of schools, including Rivers School Conservatory and Project STEP. Alex performs regularly as a freelance musician in different orchestras and chamber groups.

Oboe Consultant

Dr. Matthew Butterfield is a performer, reedmaker, and teacher based in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. He was a member of the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, and has performed with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. He has also traveled to perform in Banff, Canada, and Milan, Italy. Matthew holds degrees in music from Penn State University, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, and The University of Kansas. Currently, Matthew is the oboe teacher at the Joy of Music Program in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Trumpet & Brass Consultant

Mr. Conner is the only original member of Boston Brass. He founded the group with some fellow Boston musicians while a student at Boston University and has engineered the meteoric rise of this ensemble’s fame in the world of popular chamber music. Jeff received his master’s degree in Music from Boston University and his bachelor’s degree in music from Boston Conservatory of Music.

Jeff brings over 30 years experience of building and branding the Boston Brass name in the world of chamber music. He has performed in 49 states and 30 countries with Boston Brass and has conducted masterclasses around the world including sessions and residencies at the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Peabody Conservatory of Music, University of Miami, University of North Texas, Kansas State University, Hartt School of Music, Royal Academy of Music in London, Royal Northern College of Music, Scottish Academy of Music, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore, Hong Kong Academy of Music and Mahidol University in Bangkok.

As a member of Boston Brass Jeff is a Yamaha Performing Artist. He has been a featured educator and performed at the Mid West Band and Orchestra Clinic, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Music Educators National Conference events, American Bandmaster Association Conference, The American Band College, Western International band Clinic and Texas Bandmasters Association Convention. 

His entrepreneurial clinic, "The Portfolio Musician" is designed to challenge, engage and assist young musicians conceptualize their potential in the music industry. He has presented his “The Portfolio Musician” clinic at The Yale School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory of Music, Belmont School of Music, University of South Carolina, University of Las Vegas, University of Missouri, Syracuse University, University of Florida, Kansas State University, University of Kansas, Iowa State University, Kansas City Conservatory, Florida Gulf Coast University and the Indiana Music Educators Conference. He is co-author of “The Portfolio Musician, Case Studies in Success” with Grammy Nominated Musician John Laverty.

Guitar Consultant

Joe D’Angelo majored in Music Performance and Composition at UMass Lowell. He has also studied jazz guitar with Rich Falco, classical guitar with Peter Clemente, and improvisation with Bruce Bartlett. Joe has played with many groups over the years, and is currently performing with the Johnny Dollar Experiment, Blind Tiger Swing Posse, the Rocco Sevino Jazz Trio, and the Denis Coughlin Band. He has appeared on numerous recordings on MGM, BASF, United Artists, and Evolution Records.

In addition to the Burncoat Magnet Program, Joe also teaches at the Joy of Music Program, where he has been on the faculty since 1991 and at Clemente Music Studio in Worcester.

Woodwind Consultant

Anna DeCou is a freelance musician in the West Michigan area. She works with school districts in her area and online to push their flute players to new levels of musicianship. She is also an adjunct professor of flute at Southewestern Michigan College where she also teaches Music Appreciation.

Dr. DeCou has studied extensively in multiple areas of the country, including Michigan, Kansas, and New Jersey where she received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. She has also traveled to Europe and performed in France, Italy, and Spain. Dr. DeCou is involved with research into the flute music of South America-she has given, and plans to give many more performances of the pieces she has encountered.

Ms. Anna comes from a family of musicians, and officially began music lessons at the age of five years old. She changed focus from strings to flute when she was nine. However, her musical education began by attending rehearsals, performances, and practice sessions with her family members long before she could hold an instrument. She now takes great joy in sharing her art with her 21 nieces and nephews, performing with her siblings as much as possible, and discovering new music and sound possibilities with her husband.

For more information, check out her website at www.annaeberly.com

BHS Vocal Consultant

Elizabeth “Betsy” Fiedler teaches music in her own private studio, and is the Director of Music at Holy Family of Nazareth Church. In addition, she is an adjunct faculty member at Mount Wachusett Community College, senior faculty member for the LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework at Baldwin Wallace University, the Voice Consultant for the Arts Magnet at Burncoat High School, and is a cantor and soloist at local churches, colleges, and with the Greater Gardner Community Choir. Betsy enjoys performing on the stage at Theatre at the Mount and Greater Worcester Opera Company, and sings at local nursing homes. She has recorded 3 CD’s of contemporary Christian Music. Her enthusiasm for music spills over into her teaching style and is evident in her performances. She has interest in many types of music from classical and sacred, to music theatre and jazz. Her love of learning has compelled her to seek out additional professional development and course work with the motivation of becoming the best teacher and singer possible. She holds a BS and MM in Music Education, and has completed coursework in Vocal Pedagogy. Betsy is certified in Levels I, II, III of Somatic VoiceworkTM the LoVetri Method, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Pastoral Musicians, Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and National Association for Music Education.

Woodwind Consultant

Dana Kelly is a clarinetist based in Amherst, Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor's degree in music education in San Antonio, Texas, and has five years of experience teaching private clarinet and piano lessons. Recently, Dana graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, earning a graduate degree in clarinet performance along with certificates in music theory and conducting. At UMass, Dana studied with clarinetists Romie De Guise-Langlois and Bixby Kennedy. At UMass, she served as the principal clarinetist, played in the orchestra and the graduate wind quintet, and recently toured with the wind ensemble, traveling and performing in Ecuador. Currently Dana teaches private lessons and is an Adjunct Professor at Western New England University. Her passion for music and commitment to her craft are evident in her versatile teaching methods and her continuous pursuit of musical excellence. When not playing music, Dana enjoys reading, spending time with her family and doing anything outdoors. 

Percussion Consultant, Percussion Ensemble

Alumnus of Berklee School of Music and a professional musician for 35 years with performances throughout the United States, Canada, and the UK. A highly sought-after professional, Bill has performed and recorded with a variety of artists including folk artist Carol Noonan, Boston Music Award winner Dennis Brennan, Duke Levine, W. C. Handy Award winning blues artists Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, the Thayer Symphony Orchestra, and Berklee professor Jerry Seeco’s Milford Jazz Machine. 

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Bill is the percussion consultant for the Worcester Public Schools Music Magnet Program, an Artist in Residence at Wachusett Regional High School and Director of the Percussion Ensemble at Notre Dame Academy. Bill’s students have gone on to study at New England Conservatory, Berklee School of Music, UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell, Clark University and Anna Maria College, and are now professional musicians in Worcester, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.
508-340-5745, billmac1203@gmail.com

Winds Consultant

Dianne Spoto has enjoyed an exciting career as a flutist for over 25 years and is actively engaged in Boston’s vibrant and varied music scene. The Syracuse Post Standard has described her playing as “fearless and deeply soulful,” with an “effortless technique, perfect for Mozartian filigree.”

Ms. Spoto enjoys a robust freelance career, performing regularly with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), Portland (ME) Symphony Orchestra, Vista Philharmonic, and various musical theatre and chamber ensembles including VentiCordi, Music Worcester, and the Bach, Beethoven & Brahms Society. She has served as principal flutist of the Lexington Sinfonietta and the Lyric Opera Theater Orchestra in New York, and is a founding member of the Passero Ensemble. She has appeared on MTV, VH1, CBS and NBC News, and served on the New York’s Learning Annex panel “How to Succeed in the Music Industry.” 

A Syracuse, NY native, Ms. Spoto completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the New England Conservatory, and her Master’s at Mannes College of Music in New York City. She studied with world-renowned flutists Paula Robison, Leone Buyse, Julius Baker, and Judith Mendenhall. Ms. Spoto has performed in concert halls nationwide, including Lincoln Center, Symphony Hall in Boston, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Jordan Hall. As a concert soloist, Ms. Spoto has performed with the Syracuse Symphony, and was awarded top prizes in several competitions, including the James Pappoutsakis Flute Competition and the Syracuse Symphony Young Artist Competition.

BHS Quadrivium, Chorus, Piano, Guitar,
Music Magnet IV: Composition

A graduate of Burncoat High School and Berklee College of Music. Mr. Twiss is an accomplished musician, arranger and composer. He has been at BHS since 2001 and, as the Director of The BHS Quadrivium Chorus, he has won many local and national competitions. Mr. Twiss and ‘The Quad’ have performed in venues up and down the East Coast including Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral and Disney World. The Quad has also performed with such great Music notables as Andre Thomas, Craig Jessop, Young@Heart, Sam James, Billy Dean, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Linda Davis, Oscar Winner Julie Andrews and Country Music Hall of Fame Superstar Kenny Rogers.  Mr. Twiss has also been the Music Director/Organist at Saint Patrick’s Catholic in Rutland, Massachusetts for more than twenty-five years and has been the Music Director for hundreds of Musical Theater productions, frequently at Theater at The Mount in Gardner, Massachusetts.

twissd@worcesterschools.net

BMS & BHS String ensembles and violin/viola lessons

Mr. Rimoni graduated from the Rubin Academy of Music, part of Tel Aviv University in Israel, with an artist diploma in viola performance. Mr. Rimoni is principal violist of Symphony New Hampshire (SNH), a member of the Bach, Beethoven and Brahms Society Orchestra (MA), and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA). Mr. Rimoni is a founding member of the Kaleidoscope Chamber Ensemble. Since 2001, he has been the string teacher and string ensemble conductor at the Burncoat Middle and High Schools in Worcester, MA. He also conducts the Dino Anagnost Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Manchester Community Music School (NH).

rimonid@worcesterschools.net