Biography

 

Mandy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music.   Her degree focuses were based on performance, songwriting, education, and entrepreneurship.  She had the opportunity to intern at Warner Chappell/Warner Brothers in Nashville, Tennessee during her final semester of college where she experienced the inner workings of songwriting and publishing through a renowned record company.

 

Mandy began her music studies on the piano when she was seven years old, through the instruction of  Maribelle Hare of Pittsfield, whom she studied with for eight years. There is a quote of hers located on her classroom board that says “I want to continue teaching and doing my best so that others can enjoy the gift of learning too.  Students who do their best help me to do my best too.”

 

While she attended Wahconah Regional High School, Mandy was fortunate to find two instructors, Neil and Julie Freebern, who worked with her both in the classroom and privately. Taking part in both curricular and extracurricular activities that the Freebern’s offered, Mandy was able to participate in performances with the Paul Winter Consort’s Earth Mass in New York City and several Springfield Symphony Orchestra events.  She auditioned and placed into the Western Districts Chorus receiving the 2nd highest score in her district leading her to place into the Massachusetts All-State Chorus.  Her senior year, she placed again in the district and all-state chorus, which eventually lead to her being a part of the first all-state group to perform at the Boston Symphony Hall.  Julie Freebern, her high school choral director enhanced Mandy’s musical abilities by teaching her ear training, arranging, and theory, which enabled her to test out of a multitude of classes while studying at Berklee.  “I would not be doing what I am doing today without her instruction, guidance, and support for my musical career.”

   

After college, Mandy returned to Berkshire County, teaching private lessons to over 15 students, and after three years she moved over the mountains into the Pioneer Valley, the place she has called home for the last 11 years.  When she first entered Pioneer Valley Regional School, the choral program had roughly 25 singers in a school of close to 600 students.  Since then she has averaged a chorus size of 75-80 participants per school year.  She has set the precedent that once you enter the choral program, you are committed to excellence, and that is the logo that is embroidered on their formal performance attire.  “I am so lucky to work in an environment of such talented and gifted students.  I hope to see the traditions and enthusiasm continue, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings to the program.”