Meet Gerry, Alumnus
Highlights
Organist, Associate Director of Music
From: Auburn, Massachusetts
Currently: Memphis, Tennessee*
Pakachoag Graduate: 1998
Instrument: Piano / Organ
B.A. in Music, University of the South
Master of Music in Church Music / Conducting, Belmont University, Nashville
I have been blessed to serve St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN as Associate Director of Music and Organist since 2004. We are 11 months into the installation of our glorious (and very large!) new pipe organ; it should be complete by midsummer.
Earlier this year, Morningstar Publishers released a set of four of my Easter hymn arrangements for brass quintet, timpani, organ, and congregation.
I could never repay the kindness and patience of dear Mrs. Baker as she taught me piano for many wonderful years, completely unfazed by my inability to focus! Her piano technique was at once gentle but also so solid, beautiful and powerful – absolutely unforgettable. She is an inspiration to me in so many ways! Long may she reign.”
Janeen Baker is one of Pakachoag’s longest serving faculty members, currently at 36 years and counting.
**Two of our featured alumni for 2023 live in Nashville. That is purely by coincidence. As far as we know, neither musician has to date crossed paths, but perhaps our first set of alumni features will allow Gerry and Martin to meet and even better, make some music collaboratively.
Share This Post
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Get our Latest Updates
More To Explore
Meet Gerry, Alumnus
Meet Gerry Senechal Highlights Organist, Associate Director of Music From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee* Pakachoag Graduate: 1998 Instrument: Piano / Organ B.A. in Music,
Meet Martin, Alumnus
Meet Martin Palacios Highlights Professional Violinist, Memphis Symphony Violin Teacher DMA Candidate, Music Performance From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee Pakachoag Graduate: 2007 Instrument: Violin
Meet Martin, Alumnus
Highlights
Professional Violinist, Memphis Symphony
Violin Teacher
DMA Candidate, Music Performance
From: Auburn, Massachusetts
Currently: Memphis, Tennessee
Pakachoag Graduate: 2007
Instrument: Violin
Bachelor of Arts & Master of Arts in Music, Pensacola Christian College
I teach a Suzuki violin studio of 34 students, and I actively perform with the Memphis Symphony and Jackson Symphony. In the fall of 2023, I will begin teaching adjunct Violin and Viola at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee; and I will be commencing my DMA in Performance at the Rudi E. Scheidt’s School of Music at the University of Memphis.
One of my favorite memories during my studies at Pakachoag Music School is when my teacher Dr. Korn would always give me – along with the rest of his students – a Symphony candy bar after our recitals. I continued this tradition with my own students.”
Share This Post
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Get our Latest Updates
More To Explore
Meet Gerry, Alumnus
Meet Gerry Senechal Highlights Organist, Associate Director of Music From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee* Pakachoag Graduate: 1998 Instrument: Piano / Organ B.A. in Music,
Meet Martin, Alumnus
Meet Martin Palacios Highlights Professional Violinist, Memphis Symphony Violin Teacher DMA Candidate, Music Performance From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee Pakachoag Graduate: 2007 Instrument: Violin
Meet Katerina, Alumna
Highlights
From: Shrewsubyr, Massachusetts
Currently: Boston Metro / Central Massachusetts
Pakachoag Graduate: 2012
Instrument: Piano
B.A., International Relations and Affairs, Skidmore College
Double Minor: French and Anthropology
As a result of my struggle with chronic illness, I became a Certified Health Coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and started Thrive Health Coaching, my own remote, health coaching business.
I’m striving to help others thrive in their daily lives and careers, and pursue their dreams, without their health issues, or other limitations, holding them back.
I am forever grateful for my time studying classical piano at Pakachoag Music School, with its exceptional teachers and community. It taught me a great many skills, beyond the keys, including polished and confident performance as a nervous introvert – skills that are still coming in handy personally, and professionally, today! Pakachoag helped me grow as both an artist, and as a person. I can’t recommend Pakachoag enough, for anyone seeking to master not just their instrument, but themself.
Share This Post
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Get our Latest Updates
More To Explore
Meet Gerry, Alumnus
Meet Gerry Senechal Highlights Organist, Associate Director of Music From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee* Pakachoag Graduate: 1998 Instrument: Piano / Organ B.A. in Music,
Meet Martin, Alumnus
Meet Martin Palacios Highlights Professional Violinist, Memphis Symphony Violin Teacher DMA Candidate, Music Performance From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee Pakachoag Graduate: 2007 Instrument: Violin
Meet Dustin, Alumnus
Highlights
MIT Graduate; Degrees in Physics, Transportation, Technology & Policy
From: Southborough, Massachusetts
Currently: Golden, Colorado
Pakachoag Graduate: 2009
Instrument: Trumpet
Bachelor’s in Physics, Middlebury College
Master’s degrees in Transportation, also Technology and Policy, MIT
Since 2019, I have been working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. My work focuses on analyzing the impact of electric vehicle adoption and assisting other countries with electric vehicle policy and strategy.
I have continued to play trumpet since Pakachoag and currently play with the Mile High Freedom Band in Denver- performing in 3-4 concerts per year. I enjoy running, biking, and skiing to explore the beauty that Colorado has to offer.
My favorite memories from Pakachoag involve playing as part of a trumpet trio with Teddy Smongeski and our teacher Jon Clark! “
Share This Post
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Get our Latest Updates
More To Explore
Meet Gerry, Alumnus
Meet Gerry Senechal Highlights Organist, Associate Director of Music From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee* Pakachoag Graduate: 1998 Instrument: Piano / Organ B.A. in Music,
Meet Martin, Alumnus
Meet Martin Palacios Highlights Professional Violinist, Memphis Symphony Violin Teacher DMA Candidate, Music Performance From: Auburn, Massachusetts Currently: Memphis, Tennessee Pakachoag Graduate: 2007 Instrument: Violin
Parenting with Music
Toddler Music Learning
Parenting with music? You might be wondering what you can do to support your young child’s learning. Our answer? Sing with them! (Seriously. That’s it.)
Like everything we do with our Music Together® program, the suggestion is rooted in research. Let’s take a look behind the scenes and explore how parenting with music supports brain development and socio-emotional learning.
When You Parent with Music
Your Child's Brain Grows
For young children, whose brain architecture is forming, music-making can be even more impactful. You see, by our mid-twenties, our neural pathways are pretty much done being built, but they’re just coming together for babies and toddlers. In fact, our brains are more active during the first five years of life than they will ever be. Positive early experiences create strong neural pathways—and a strong foundation for all future learning.
Here’s how music acts as a brain architecture superhero. Because music is accessible and enjoyable for young children, they are likely to repeat songs they like over and over (and over), especially when the grownups they love sing with them. This repetition and engagement exercises important neural pathways, making them stronger and supporting the development of a sturdy brain foundation. And all you have to do is sing!
Join us as we sing together during Music Together classes. You’ll receive a song book and CD (also access to online music app) as part of your enrollment. You can view our class schedules here.
31 Years as Executive Director
In the News: 31 Years
Thanks to Worcester’s Telegram & Gazette, Richard Duckett author, for telling the story.
“She applied to be a flute teacher, now Sarah [Harrison] Smongeski is retiring after 31 years as executive director of Pakachoag Music School.”