Kylie Sullivan 1999
For the past 4 years I've worked at the Massachusetts Cultural Council (the state's arts agency) as a coordinator for the Local Cultural Council program. This means that I help volunteer groups like the Groveland, Merrimac, and West Newbury Cultural Councils who grant out state funds to their communities in support of the arts, sciences, and humanities. I know you guys have received LCC grants, so you're probably pretty familiar with the program.
One of the primary reasons I took this position is because the LCC program supports the kinds of activities that had the biggest impact on me as a musician in high school - field trips and band competitions, masterclasses from musicians like Tony Vacca, community concerts, etc. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to create and experience art and culture in their own community, and I come to work everyday so that other students across the state can benefit from the quality of arts programming that I experienced.
Kylie Sullivan
Concert Band, Marching Band Drum Major, Jazz Band, Select Chorus, Musical Theatre
One of the primary reasons I took this position is because the LCC program supports the kinds of activities that had the biggest impact on me as a musician in high school - field trips and band competitions, masterclasses from musicians like Tony Vacca, community concerts, etc. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to create and experience art and culture in their own community, and I come to work everyday so that other students across the state can benefit from the quality of arts programming that I experienced.
Kylie Sullivan
Concert Band, Marching Band Drum Major, Jazz Band, Select Chorus, Musical Theatre
Cathy Thomas 2003
When I first moved to New York City to attend Marymount Manhattan College for Theater Directing, people often reminisced about their high school performance days. Without fail, everytime I talked about what I'd done at Pentucket - recording CD's, going to festivals, competing, rehearsing several times a week after school - people would ask, "So, you went to a performing arts high school?" When I would share that in fact it was a public school, my fellow artists from around the country and world were astonished. How had a public school managed to have such a strong arts program? Until then, I had just figured that Pentucket was normal and that every kid was given the same opportunites and education as I was. When I realized that, in fact, my music education had been privelaged, I was proud to talk about my alma mater and everything I had learned before the age of 17.
I am now three and a half years out of college - a college which didn't even have a music department, so I know that, while I've continued to practice and push myself and grow as a musician, the fundamental music principles I am using in my life now, were learned, refined, and in some cases perfected, at Pentucket. Now, I can only describe my musicianship as a tool box that has been filled with all of the tools I need by the teachers I had in high school, as well as real life experiences.
I have co-composed a musical that was in the New York International Fringe Festival. I have accompanied singers at prominent New York music venues. I have been called on by Broadway stars for help preparing Broadway audition pieces. I have sat in the orchestra pit of "In The Heights" and "The Lion King." I have accompanied Liza Minnelli, Seth Rudetsky and Susan Blackwell. I am in a rock band that otherwise consists of NYU music school graduates. Not only have I held my own in the competitve music world of New York City - I have thrived.
As I was working on the musical "I Don ♥ U Ne Mor" which I co-composed, musical directed, and did all of the vocal arrangements for, I was compelled to send an e-mail to David Schumacer and Zach Field. I had to tell them that I had surprised myself. I was doing things that I didn't even know I was capable of. When I had this realization, I asked myself how I was doing it all. I was pulling piano parts from the air, telling a guitarist how to play songs that I wrote, and writing 6 part harmonies. It hit me; all of the tools were in my tool box. All of the knowledge had been given to me, I just had to figure out how to use it. It seemed too weak for what I actually had, but all I could say to them was "thank you."
Music has been the one thing that has always made me happy and fulfilled me. When I walk into a room with a piano, I sit at it, because that's what makes me feel comfortable. I am unbelievably grateful for the tool box I have and all of the opportunities it has given me, and I realize that it was filled to the top during my school days. Having music in my life, as an adult, and in a professional way, is the best life I could have hoped for - and I would be remiss to ignore where my foundation lies.
Cathy Thomas
Concert Band, Marching Band, Chorus, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Mallet Ensemble, Jazz Big Band, Jazz Combo
Watch Cathy perform in her band "Teen Girl Scientist Monthly"
I am now three and a half years out of college - a college which didn't even have a music department, so I know that, while I've continued to practice and push myself and grow as a musician, the fundamental music principles I am using in my life now, were learned, refined, and in some cases perfected, at Pentucket. Now, I can only describe my musicianship as a tool box that has been filled with all of the tools I need by the teachers I had in high school, as well as real life experiences.
I have co-composed a musical that was in the New York International Fringe Festival. I have accompanied singers at prominent New York music venues. I have been called on by Broadway stars for help preparing Broadway audition pieces. I have sat in the orchestra pit of "In The Heights" and "The Lion King." I have accompanied Liza Minnelli, Seth Rudetsky and Susan Blackwell. I am in a rock band that otherwise consists of NYU music school graduates. Not only have I held my own in the competitve music world of New York City - I have thrived.
As I was working on the musical "I Don ♥ U Ne Mor" which I co-composed, musical directed, and did all of the vocal arrangements for, I was compelled to send an e-mail to David Schumacer and Zach Field. I had to tell them that I had surprised myself. I was doing things that I didn't even know I was capable of. When I had this realization, I asked myself how I was doing it all. I was pulling piano parts from the air, telling a guitarist how to play songs that I wrote, and writing 6 part harmonies. It hit me; all of the tools were in my tool box. All of the knowledge had been given to me, I just had to figure out how to use it. It seemed too weak for what I actually had, but all I could say to them was "thank you."
Music has been the one thing that has always made me happy and fulfilled me. When I walk into a room with a piano, I sit at it, because that's what makes me feel comfortable. I am unbelievably grateful for the tool box I have and all of the opportunities it has given me, and I realize that it was filled to the top during my school days. Having music in my life, as an adult, and in a professional way, is the best life I could have hoped for - and I would be remiss to ignore where my foundation lies.
Cathy Thomas
Concert Band, Marching Band, Chorus, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Mallet Ensemble, Jazz Big Band, Jazz Combo
Watch Cathy perform in her band "Teen Girl Scientist Monthly"
Emily Bevelaqua Pellegrino, MT-BC 2001
Emily Bevelaqua
Pellegrino, MT-BC Emily, is a board certified music therapist, and the Co-Director of Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC, a private practice that provides music therapy services for children and adults with a wide range of special needs throughout the state of Connecticut. Emily graduated from Pentucket High School in 2001 and continued on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music in 2005. Upon completion of this degree, Emily went on to receive her Music Therapy Equivalency from Anna Maria college in 2008 and will begin her Masters level study in Music Therapy at Temple University in fall of 2011.
Emily's practice of Music Therapy is largely influenced by a humanistic paradigm, leaving room for both cognitive and behavioral methods due to specific client needs. It is her belief that musically energized therapy sessions create a safe and creative environment for children and adults to express themselves and strive to meet therapeutic goals on mental, physical and spiritual levels. Emily has worked extensively with children and adults with Autism and other neurological disorders, visual impairments, and multiple disabilities, as well as older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Emily lives in West Hartford, CT with her husband and two miniature dachshunds.
What I owe to the Pentucket Music Program:
Without a doubt, my fondest memories of Pentucket revolve around experiences I had within the music department. Rehearsing for the spring musical, singing in a holiday chorus concert, preparing for a district music festival audition... the list goes on! The music and fine arts education that I received at Pentucket were vital in molding me into the person that I am today. These experiences allowed me the ability to express who I was in a safe and encouraging atmosphere, improve my self esteem and build friendships, and learn responsibility and what it means to be an effective member of a team. These are all skills that I use every day in my work as a music therapist, employer, and business owner.
Emily B. Pellegrino MT-BC
Board Certified Music Therapist
Co-Director of Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC
860-558-0802
Visit Emily's business online: Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC
Emily's practice of Music Therapy is largely influenced by a humanistic paradigm, leaving room for both cognitive and behavioral methods due to specific client needs. It is her belief that musically energized therapy sessions create a safe and creative environment for children and adults to express themselves and strive to meet therapeutic goals on mental, physical and spiritual levels. Emily has worked extensively with children and adults with Autism and other neurological disorders, visual impairments, and multiple disabilities, as well as older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Emily lives in West Hartford, CT with her husband and two miniature dachshunds.
What I owe to the Pentucket Music Program:
Without a doubt, my fondest memories of Pentucket revolve around experiences I had within the music department. Rehearsing for the spring musical, singing in a holiday chorus concert, preparing for a district music festival audition... the list goes on! The music and fine arts education that I received at Pentucket were vital in molding me into the person that I am today. These experiences allowed me the ability to express who I was in a safe and encouraging atmosphere, improve my self esteem and build friendships, and learn responsibility and what it means to be an effective member of a team. These are all skills that I use every day in my work as a music therapist, employer, and business owner.
Emily B. Pellegrino MT-BC
Board Certified Music Therapist
Co-Director of Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC
860-558-0802
Visit Emily's business online: Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC
Danielle Ripa 2004
The Pentucket music program absolutely influenced who am I as a person and where I am today. I began clarinet in 4th grade and continued to play flute/ piano/ and mallet percussion throughout high school. The experiences in band, jazz band and mallet ensemble charted the course of my life. Without the Pentucket music program I would not have decided to become a music educator. Teaching and learning from children the joys music fulfills my soul. The music experiences I had at an early age inspired, motivated, and impassioned me in a way nothing else has. I feel extremely fortunate to be involved in a career that is also my greatest passion. Thank you Pentucket!
Danielle Ripa
Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Big Band, Jazz Combo, Mallet Ensemble
Danielle Ripa
Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Big Band, Jazz Combo, Mallet Ensemble