NAPS : District Site : NAPS Music Faculty

NAPS Music Department Faculty

Carl H. Jenkins

Director of Music
Drury High School Band,
director

Contact:

drurymusic@hotmail.com

413-662-3240 X3309

Carl Jenkins holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University in New York. Following his studies in Montclair, New Jersey Mr. Jenkins was a member of the West Point Band from 1970 – 1973. He has studied oboe with Gennaro Mignola, Albert Goltzer of the New York Philharmonic, and Humbert Lucarelli of New York City. Mr. Jenkins’ orchestral experience has been with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, and with the Berkshire Symphony, where he is currently principal oboe. At Williams he is Adjunct Teacher of Oboe. He was the founding conductor of the Symphonic Winds, directing the ensemble for nine years and for 20 years was also the director of Woodwind Ensembles at Williams.

Mr. Jenkins has been employed by the North Adams Public Schools since 1973. For three years he was elementary instructor and since 1976 has been the city’s Director of Music and high school instrumental director. Under his direction the Drury High School Band has had numerous distinctions including: countless performances during trips to Canada, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, and many New England states. During his tenure in North Adams the Drury High School Band has traveled extensively, has developed a yearly instrumental-clinic/workshop, has commissioned a composition and has had the good fortune of receiving donations in excess of $350,000.00 which have made scholarships and enrichment programs available to past and present musicians. Mr. Jenkins has studied conducting with Malcolm Rowell (Univ. of Mass.) and Larry Rachleff (Rice University). While at Drury Mr. Jenkins has been active in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association twice serving as District Jazz Band Manager, twice as District Concert Band Manager and is the 2006-2007 District Orchestra Manager. He served as Western District Jazz Chairman to I.A.J.E. from 1983-1987 and in 1986 Mr. Jenkins was manager of the Massachusetts All-State Concert Band. In 1989 Mr. Jenkins was the recipient of the North Adams Public Schools “Teacher of the Year” Award and in 2002 was presented the Lowell Mason Award for his years of dedication to music education. In 2004 Mr. Jenkins was honored as the recipient of that year’s “Distinguished Service Award” for the state of Massachusetts. Among the many highlights Mr. Jenkins cherishes the opportunity he had to conduct members of the Drury High School Band in Mechanics Hall, Worcester and Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood as part of the M.I.C.C.A. “Stars at the Symphony” Program. Mr. Jenkins and his wife Jane have two sons; Matthew, a music teacher in Las Vegas, and David a saxophonist with the “President’s Own” Marine Band in Washington, D.C. They also have an adorable grandson, Andrew.

Aldonna Girouard

Chorus & Guitar Ensemble Director
High School General Music Instructor

Contact:

agirouard@napsk12.org

413-662-3240 X33

Aldonna Girouard has taught music in North Adams since 1995. She teaches chorus, guitar class, guitar ensemble, line and folk dance, music theory and general music at Drury High School. From 1995 to 1997 she also taught chorus and general music at Conte Middle School. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Shenandoah Conservatory. She practiced music therapy for five years prior to teaching music for nine years in Lee, MA. She earned a Masters of Science in Music Education at Central Connecticut State University.

Mrs. Girouard is an active member of Music Educators National Conference and Massachusetts Music Educators Association where she has served as manager and assistant manager for the Western District Music Festival Chorus. She has presented music therapy in-service workshops on stress management and IEP writing and presented conference workshops on music education Service-Learning projects.

Christopher Caproni

Conte Middle School
Band Director

Contact:

ccaproni@napsk12.org

413-662-3200
(Conte Middle School)

Christopher Caproni has taught music in North Adams since 1997. He is the director of the Conte Middle School Band and Jazz Band. From 1997 to 2005 he was the director of the Conte Middle School Chorus.

Mr. Caproni is a graduate of Boston University. While there he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Trombone Performance. While at Boston University he studied with the Boston Symphony’s Principal Trombonist, Ronald Baron and the World Famous Empire Brass Quintet. Upon finishing his degrees at Boston University Mr. Caproni received a scholarship and graduate teaching position at Arizona State University. While at Arizona State Universtiy Mr. Caproni directed the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra and the Arizona State Sun Devil Marching Band at the 1997 Rose Bowl.

Mr. Caproni has maintained faculty positions at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. While at MCLA he was Director of the MCLA Community Band (1998-2005), Director of the MCLA Concert Choir, (2003-2004), Director of the MCLA Jazz Band (2004) and pianist for the Concert Choir (1998, 2001-2003).

Currently Mr. Caproni is the Director of the Moocho Macho MooCow Marching Band at Williams College. He is also the Director and Artistic Director of the North County Christmas Music Festival and the North County Gospel Festival. Mr. Caproni performs frequently as a professional musician. His Dixieland Jazz Band the Dixie Cats (visit them at dixiecats.com) perform frequently throughout Western New England. The Dixie Cats recorded their first album, North of Canal Street in 2004. Mr. Caproni has been a professional organist and choir director for many years. He has been the music director at St. Anthony’s Church and the First Congregational Church. He composed a Mass to Saint Anthony which was premiered at the 100th anniversary of St. Anthony’s Church.

Mr. Caproni resides in Clarksburg with his wife Pamela and his two daughters Abby Kate and Ella. Mr. Caproni is proud to be a member of the North Adams Music Department and hopes to continue the wonderful opportunity of music for years to come.

Staci Downey

Conte Middle School
General Music Instructor
Choral Director

Contact:

sdowney@napsk12.org

413-662-3200
(Conte Middle School)

Staci Downey is the Chorus and General Music Education Teacher at Conte Middle in North Adams, MA. She has previously taught a Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, MA and in the Worcester School District. Staci has a Bachelors of Music Education with a vocal focus and is currently working on her masters. Staci, for the second year in a row, is the Treble Chorus Manager for the Jr. Western Districts Music Festival. She works with many different music and theatre based groups in the Northern Berkshire community and takes great pride in the artistic accomplishments of the area that she calls home.

Roger W. LaRocca, Jr.

Elementary
Instrumental Instructor
Elementary Band Director

Contact:

rlarocca@napsk12.org

413-662-3260 (Brayton School)

Mr. LaRocca graduated from Saugus High School, Saugus MA, received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master of Education Degree in Administrative Leadership from North Adams State College. Mr. LaRocca has been the elementary instrumental music instructor in North Adams since 1976, recruiting new 4th and 5th grade students each year, teaching small group lessons and conducting band rehearsals weekly. He started one of the first elementary jazz bands in 1977. In September 2000 Mr. LaRocca started a Community Service Learning Project entitled “Sounds Good”. This project uses band students from Conte Middle School and Drury High School to act as musical mentors for 4th and 5th grade instrumental students. In addition to annual winter and spring concerts elementary instrumental students over the years have performed in talent shows, Downtown Celebrations, Little League Opening Days, Historical Society events, and liturgical ceremonies.

Mr. LaRocca resides in North Adams with his wife, Joan, and son, Michael. Their older children, Elizabeth and Roger, live in New York City.

Bozena Granat

Elementary
General Music Instructor
Brayton Elementary
Chorus Director

Contact:

bgranat@napsk12.org

413-662-3260 (Brayton School)

Bozena Granat was educated both in Poland and the United States. She majored in piano and eurhythmics at the State Conservatory of Music in Rzeszow, Poland; received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in musicology and music education from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She continued her studies in music education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has taught at the State Conservatory of Music in Rzeszow, Poland, and St. Agnes Elementary School in Dalton, MA. Since 1996 Ms. Granat has taught Elementary General and Vocal Music in the North Adams Public Schools. She is also an accomplished pianist, organist, and choir director. Bozena’s teaching interests include Dalcroze’s eurhythmics, music through movement, and classical music and jazz.

Carrie Jones-Birch

Elementary
General Music Instructor
Greylock-Sullivan Elementary Chorus Director

Contact:

cjonesbirch@napsk12.org

413-662-3255 (Greylock School)
413-662-3250 (Sullivan School)

Carrie Jones-Birch has taught music in North Adams Elementary Schools since September 2005. Mrs. Jones-Birch earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Television, from Birmingham and Plymouth Universities in England. She gained various singing and piano qualifications with the Associated Board, London, and additional piano teaching and performing diplomas with the London College of Music and London Trinity College.

Prior to living in the Berkshires, Mrs. Jones-Birch lived and taught in Southern England. She has taught all age levels at Elementary, Middle and High Schools and has undertaken various responsibilities including: directing and coordinating chorus, bands, recorder ensembles, arts events, musical dramas and concerts. She was invited to take part in the development of “Levels of Attainment” and “Schemes of Work” for the revised National Music Curriculum in England, (published in 2000).

Mrs. Jones-Birch is currently undergoing study for a Master of Music in Music Education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.


	Carl H. Jenkins Director of Music Drury High School Band, director	Contact: drurymusic@hotmail.com 413-662-3240 X3309
Carl Jenkins holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University in New York. Following his studies in Montclair, New Jersey Mr. Jenkins was a member of the West Point Band from 1970 – 1973. He has studied oboe with Gennaro Mignola, Albert Goltzer of the New York Philharmonic, and Humbert Lucarelli of New York City. Mr. Jenkins’ orchestral experience has been with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, and with the Berkshire Symphony, where he is currently principal oboe. At Williams he is Adjunct Teacher of Oboe. He was the founding conductor of the Symphonic Winds, directing the ensemble for nine years and for 20 years was also the director of Woodwind Ensembles at Williams. Mr. Jenkins has been employed by the North Adams Public Schools since 1973. For three years he was elementary instructor and since 1976 has been the city’s Director of Music and high school instrumental director. Under his direction the Drury High School Band has had numerous distinctions including: countless performances during trips to Canada, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, and many New England states. During his tenure in North Adams the Drury High School Band has traveled extensively, has developed a yearly instrumental-clinic/workshop, has commissioned a composition and has had the good fortune of receiving donations in excess of $350,000.00 which have made scholarships and enrichment programs available to past and present musicians. Mr. Jenkins has studied conducting with Malcolm Rowell (Univ. of Mass.) and Larry Rachleff (Rice University). While at Drury Mr. Jenkins has been active in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association twice serving as District Jazz Band Manager, twice as District Concert Band Manager and is the 2006-2007 District Orchestra Manager. He served as Western District Jazz Chairman to I.A.J.E. from 1983-1987 and in 1986 Mr. Jenkins was manager of the Massachusetts All-State Concert Band. In 1989 Mr. Jenkins was the recipient of the North Adams Public Schools “Teacher of the Year” Award and in 2002 was presented the Lowell Mason Award for his years of dedication to music education. In 2004 Mr. Jenkins was honored as the recipient of that year’s “Distinguished Service Award” for the state of Massachusetts. Among the many highlights Mr. Jenkins cherishes the opportunity he had to conduct members of the Drury High School Band in Mechanics Hall, Worcester and Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood as part of the M.I.C.C.A. “Stars at the Symphony” Program. Mr. Jenkins and his wife Jane have two sons; Matthew, a music teacher in Las Vegas, and David a saxophonist with the “President’s Own” Marine Band in Washington, D.C. They also have an adorable grandson, Andrew.

	Aldonna Girouard Chorus & Guitar Ensemble Director High School General Music Instructor	Contact: agirouard@napsk12.org 413-662-3240 X33
Aldonna Girouard has taught music in North Adams since 1995. She teaches chorus, guitar class, guitar ensemble, line and folk dance, music theory and general music at Drury High School. From 1995 to 1997 she also taught chorus and general music at Conte Middle School. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Shenandoah Conservatory. She practiced music therapy for five years prior to teaching music for nine years in Lee, MA. She earned a Masters of Science in Music Education at Central Connecticut State University. Mrs. Girouard is an active member of Music Educators National Conference and Massachusetts Music Educators Association where she has served as manager and assistant manager for the Western District Music Festival Chorus. She has presented music therapy in-service workshops on stress management and IEP writing and presented conference workshops on music education Service-Learning projects.

	Christopher Caproni Conte Middle School Band Director	Contact: ccaproni@napsk12.org 413-662-3200 (Conte Middle School)
Christopher Caproni has taught music in North Adams since 1997. He is the director of the Conte Middle School Band and Jazz Band. From 1997 to 2005 he was the director of the Conte Middle School Chorus. Mr. Caproni is a graduate of Boston University. While there he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Trombone Performance. While at Boston University he studied with the Boston Symphony’s Principal Trombonist, Ronald Baron and the World Famous Empire Brass Quintet. Upon finishing his degrees at Boston University Mr. Caproni received a scholarship and graduate teaching position at Arizona State University. While at Arizona State Universtiy Mr. Caproni directed the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra and the Arizona State Sun Devil Marching Band at the 1997 Rose Bowl. Mr. Caproni has maintained faculty positions at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. While at MCLA he was Director of the MCLA Community Band (1998-2005), Director of the MCLA Concert Choir, (2003-2004), Director of the MCLA Jazz Band (2004) and pianist for the Concert Choir (1998, 2001-2003). Currently Mr. Caproni is the Director of the Moocho Macho MooCow Marching Band at Williams College. He is also the Director and Artistic Director of the North County Christmas Music Festival and the North County Gospel Festival. Mr. Caproni performs frequently as a professional musician. His Dixieland Jazz Band the Dixie Cats (visit them at dixiecats.com) perform frequently throughout Western New England. The Dixie Cats recorded their first album, North of Canal Street in 2004. Mr. Caproni has been a professional organist and choir director for many years. He has been the music director at St. Anthony’s Church and the First Congregational Church. He composed a Mass to Saint Anthony which was premiered at the 100th anniversary of St. Anthony’s Church. Mr. Caproni resides in Clarksburg with his wife Pamela and his two daughters Abby Kate and Ella. Mr. Caproni is proud to be a member of the North Adams Music Department and hopes to continue the wonderful opportunity of music for years to come.

	Staci Downey Conte Middle School General Music Instructor Choral Director	Contact: sdowney@napsk12.org 413-662-3200 (Conte Middle School)
Staci Downey is the Chorus and General Music Education Teacher at Conte Middle in North Adams, MA. She has previously taught a Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, MA and in the Worcester School District. Staci has a Bachelors of Music Education with a vocal focus and is currently working on her masters. Staci, for the second year in a row, is the Treble Chorus Manager for the Jr. Western Districts Music Festival. She works with many different music and theatre based groups in the Northern Berkshire community and takes great pride in the artistic accomplishments of the area that she calls home.

	Roger W. LaRocca, Jr. Elementary Instrumental Instructor Elementary Band Director	Contact: rlarocca@napsk12.org 413-662-3260 (Brayton School)
Mr. LaRocca graduated from Saugus High School, Saugus MA, received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master of Education Degree in Administrative Leadership from North Adams State College. Mr. LaRocca has been the elementary instrumental music instructor in North Adams since 1976, recruiting new 4th and 5th grade students each year, teaching small group lessons and conducting band rehearsals weekly. He started one of the first elementary jazz bands in 1977. In September 2000 Mr. LaRocca started a Community Service Learning Project entitled “Sounds Good”. This project uses band students from Conte Middle School and Drury High School to act as musical mentors for 4th and 5th grade instrumental students. In addition to annual winter and spring concerts elementary instrumental students over the years have performed in talent shows, Downtown Celebrations, Little League Opening Days, Historical Society events, and liturgical ceremonies. Mr. LaRocca resides in North Adams with his wife, Joan, and son, Michael. Their older children, Elizabeth and Roger, live in New York City.

	Bozena Granat Elementary General Music Instructor Brayton Elementary Chorus Director	Contact: bgranat@napsk12.org 413-662-3260 (Brayton School)
Bozena Granat was educated both in Poland and the United States. She majored in piano and eurhythmics at the State Conservatory of Music in Rzeszow, Poland; received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in musicology and music education from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She continued her studies in music education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has taught at the State Conservatory of Music in Rzeszow, Poland, and St. Agnes Elementary School in Dalton, MA. Since 1996 Ms. Granat has taught Elementary General and Vocal Music in the North Adams Public Schools. She is also an accomplished pianist, organist, and choir director. Bozena’s teaching interests include Dalcroze’s eurhythmics, music through movement, and classical music and jazz.

	Carrie Jones-Birch Elementary General Music Instructor Greylock-Sullivan Elementary Chorus Director	Contact: cjonesbirch@napsk12.org 413-662-3255 (Greylock School) 413-662-3250 (Sullivan School)
Carrie Jones-Birch has taught music in North Adams Elementary Schools since September 2005. Mrs. Jones-Birch earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Television, from Birmingham and Plymouth Universities in England. She gained various singing and piano qualifications with the Associated Board, London, and additional piano teaching and performing diplomas with the London College of Music and London Trinity College. Prior to living in the Berkshires, Mrs. Jones-Birch lived and taught in Southern England. She has taught all age levels at Elementary, Middle and High Schools and has undertaken various responsibilities including: directing and coordinating chorus, bands, recorder ensembles, arts events, musical dramas and concerts. She was invited to take part in the development of “Levels of Attainment” and “Schemes of Work” for the revised National Music Curriculum in England, (published in 2000). Mrs. Jones-Birch is currently undergoing study for a Master of Music in Music Education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.