PERSONAL INFORMATION - Key Persons
Ada brings a unique background as a former professional handweaver and dyer, musician, and homeschooler to her current role as Facilities Coordinator. She provides evening and weekend support to the Continuing Education department, career training students, and special events, as well as working on improving the School's facilities. For two years while a Violin 51�Թ� & Repair student, Ada managed the NBSS student worker team, which has led to a natural progression into a larger role at the School. In addition, Ada continues to build violins and work for a local violin restorer.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Director of Institutional Support
Annie has over a decade of nonprofit experience and has enthusiastically contributed to the fundraising and development efforts of several organizations including Boston Arts Academy Foundation, Boston CASA, Apprentice Learning, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester. She has worked with organizations of different sizes and varying needs, and enjoys collaborating with other passionate individuals to create impact. Prior to fundraising and development, Annie led school programming for Historic New England and the Concord Museum. She received her B.A. in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from College of Charleston and her M.D.S. in Historic Preservation from Boston Architectural College. Native to the Greater Boston Area, Annie lives south of the city with her husband, Andrew, a Preservation Carpentry grad from 2013, and two young children.
Ariana discovered her interest in the field of book and paper conservation while working as an undergraduate in the conservation lab at UC Berkeley. Before coming to NBSS for the Bookbinding program, she took a brief detour in her career to work as a cake decorator in her hometown of Eureka, California. During her summers as a student, Ariana interned at Thornwillow Press in Newburgh, New York, and in the Haverford College conservation lab in Pennsylvania. She currently works as a bookbinder at Harcourt Bindery in Charlestown.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Barbara has been with NBSS since 2017, and is inspired by sharing the stories of our students and graduates through the School's various communication channels. She has degrees in Mass Communication and Museum Education, and has worked for several informal education and nonprofit organizations. When not at her desk, you'll find her around the School with camera in hand, documenting what our students and faculty make every day.
Job Titles:
- Community Education Technician
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Education
Brittany has over a decade of experience in arts education and arts administration, working with communities in schools, non-profits, museums, and local government. She joins the NBSS team from Durham, 51�Թ� Carolina but originally hails from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Brittany has a BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts and began her career in arts education as a teaching artist with the International Center of Photography, Joan Mitchell Foundation, and Dedalus Foundation. Prior to joining NBSS, she most recently served as the Interim Director for the Pullen Arts Center through the City of Raleigh's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources department. As Director of Community Education, she is responsible for overseeing and expanding in-person and online offerings from CE classes and high school programs, to youth and family experiences, community partnerships, and more.
Brock graduated from the School's Preservation Carpentry program, and has worked on a variety of preservation and building projects throughout New England. He previously taught Continuing Education courses and served as an assistant in both the Carpentry and Preservation Carpentry programs.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of People & Operations
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Community Education Coordinator
Chloe (she/her or they/them) has a B.A. in Art History from UMass Boston and is currently an M.S.W. candidate at Simmons University. She has been the Assistant Director and Director of the Harbor Gallery and Assistant Manager of the Visual Resource Collection at UMass Boston, where she directed numerous successful exhibits. She has served as the Gallery Manager at Lee Gallery in Winchester, MA; and has professional experience in a variety of fields such as fine wine sales, food service, photojournalism, and technical support with companies like Franklin Restaurant Group, Shore Publishing, and Formlabs. She believes in community, equity, inclusion, public education, and the potential of crafts and trades to heal and empower individuals and families.
Claire has served as Provost since 2007, overseeing the full-time programs. Her experience as a Cabinet & Furniture 51�Թ� (CF) graduate and instructor allow her to see opportunities and problems from multiple vantage points, giving her a unique perspective on student success, program curricula, and the student and faculty experience.
After graduating from NBSS in 1996, Claire was a self-employed furniture maker taking commissions for high-end residential and commercial clients, working out of Fort Point Cabinetmakers for ten years. She also taught at the Boston Center for Adult Education, the Watertown and Brookline Adult Education Programs, and substituted at NBSS. In 2000, she became an Instructor in the CF program. Claire taught for six years and, in 2007, was hired as Provost. Claire also holds an M.S. in Higher Education from Drexel University and a B.S. from Emerson College.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Colleen Walsh Powell joined the NBSS development team in 2019, excited to connect donors with the impact of their support in our students' lives, and the preservation and appreciation of craft and trade traditions. With more than 15 years of development experience working at institutions including Boston University, The Winsor School, and Emerson College, Colleen has worked on transformative fundraising campaigns in a variety of capacities-from annual and major giving, to events and alumni relations.
Colleen has a BA in English and philosophy from Santa Clara University, and a MA in Arts Administration from Boston University. Californian by birth, but a New Englander by nature, Colleen lives in Pepperell, MA with her husband and twin sons, where they enjoy tending apple trees, cross country skiing, hiking, and gardening.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Corie Melaugh is a recent graduate of the Basic and Advanced Piano Technology programs. Her previous career as a professional musician saw her work all over the world, from Japan to Germany to Austin, TX. After graduating from NBSS, Corie worked as an apprentice piano technician at Aspen Music Festival, before returning to the East Coast to work as a concert technician at Boston University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Debbie Cyr, RPT learned tuning in 1990 as an apprentice, and in 1992 attended the rebuilding program at the 51�Թ� Bennet Street School in Boston. A Registered Piano Technician since 1994, she has worked as a rebuilder, has been an instructor at the 51�Թ� Bennet Street School since 1995, and has an extensive . Debbie is also the piano technician at Brandeis University, as well as a past president and active member of the Boston Chapter Piano Technician Guild. She teaches and does tuning and technical exams at seminars and conventions on the local, regional and national levels.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Co - Vice Chair
Job Titles:
- Department Head and Instructor
Eddy Dacius LK '13 the Department Head and Instructor. Since graduating from NBSS in 2013, Eddy has been doing contract work in locksmithing and founded his own company, , serving clients including Jewish Family and Children Service and the Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center. He's also a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Security Professionals Association and an ALOA Fire Door Inspector, and has a degree in Project Management.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Since graduating from the Cabinet & Furniture 51�Թ� program in 2009, Eli has been working as a custom furniture maker in the Greater Boston Area. For five years, he also worked on the PBS series Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac. Eli teaches the summer Three-Month Furniture 51�Թ� Intensive, Introduction to SketchUp, and also spends his time creating custom furniture for clients.
Ellen is a custom furniture maker and graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture 51�Թ� program. She owns Ellen Kaspern Design and is a member of the cooperative Charlestown Furniture Makers in Boston, MA. In addition to designing and building custom furniture, she has been teaching woodworking and furniture making for 20 years. Her workshop teaching experience includes NBSS, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Yestermorrow Design Build School and Florida School of Woodwork. Ellen demonstrates woodworking techniques throughout New England. She has given talks and demonstrations at the National Museum of Industrial Industry, Boston Design Week, Boston Athenaeum, Peabody Essex Museum, Old Sturbridge Village and Society of Arts & Crafts. She has written articles for Fine Woodworking Magazine and Woodcraft Magazine. Many of her lessons are featured in instructional videos for Fine Woodworking Magazine.
Emily is a 2007 graduate of the Basic Piano Technology program, a 2008 graduate of the Advanced program, and a Registered Piano Technician. She also holds a degree in piano performance from Trinity University. Emily was previously self-employed as a field service technician and piano rebuilder in San Antonio, Texas, where she served a robust private clientele including schools and universities. She is a sought-after instructor at nationwide Piano Technicians Guild seminars. Emily has served the PTG on several committees and as an active tuning and technical examiner. She is a 2021 recipient of the PTG's Crowl-Travis Member of Note award.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Haley is an instructor in the Jewelry 51�Թ� & Repair department. She came to NBSS as a student after working in the jewelry making field for several years, wanting to pursue mastery of her skills. After graduating she went to work as a bench jeweler and stone setter for a local jewelry manufacturer. She is currently pursuing her Graduate of Gemology degree from GIA, and works as a sole proprietor of her own business, taking custom jobs and repairs from her home studio in Somerville.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Registered Piano Technician
Hillary York is a Registered Piano Technician and moved to New York after graduation from both Piano Technology programs. There she worked as an action rebuilder and eventually became the Director of Technical Services for a large dealer and rebuilder in the NYC metro area. Her duties included managing a rebuilding shop, a team of piano technicians, and the technical needs for four showrooms. She next worked as an independent piano technician in the Denver, Colorado area, doing both in home service and shop work. Additionally, she has traveled internationally for technical factory training and has consulted for various international piano factories.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jamey is a 2006 graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture 51�Թ� program an Instructor. Before becoming a custom furniture maker, Jamey was a general contractor. He currently manages a multi-tenant shop in West Concord, MA where he builds custom projects and musical instruments.
Job Titles:
- Director of Financial Aid
Jamie has helmed the Financial Aid Office since he joined NBSS in 2010. The intervening years have witnessed a growth in annual NBSS scholarship giving from nascent levels of less than $100,000 per year to nearly $1,000,000 per year today. Jamie has led the implementation of innovative financial aid programs at NBSS, including NBSS Pell Yes! and NBSS Yellow Ribbon scholarships. Additionally, in his roles as school SCO and SEVIS officer, Jamie provides crucial support to student veterans and international students respectively. He takes pride in providing personal attention to all students. Outside of work, Jamie makes pure Massachusetts maple syrup at his small maple farm in Chelmsford, MA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Head of the Bookbinding Department
Jeff is the head of the Bookbinding Department, a 2003 graduate of the American Academy of Bookbinding, and a graduate of the program. After graduating, Jeff worked at Harcourt Bindery and Harvard University's Tozzer Library. He is a past Chair of the New England Chapter of the Guild Book Workers and has mentored many NBSS graduates as they serve in GBW leadership positions. Jeff operates , and he specializes in traditional leather bindings, metalworking for bookbinding, and bookbinding exhibits.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Engagement
Kevin brings over 20 years of experience to his role at the School. As Director of Marketing & Engagement, he manages a multidisciplinary team responsible for communications, social media, community education, public programs, retail, and exhibitions. Kevin has degrees in both psychology and design, which leads to a human-centered, creative, and collaborative approach.
Kevin has worked with artisans, architects, artists, and designers in various roles throughout his career. In his free time, Kevin enjoys sketching, woodworking, traveling, and all sorts of outdoor activities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Kristen has worked in the retail service industry for over 20 years. Prior to NBSS, she operated a high-end custom frame shop in Boston, where she managed design, merchandising, curation and fine art handling-working with clients of all kinds, including private collectors, artists, gallerists, and interior designers. In her four years with NBSS, she has supported our trade school students through retail, exhibitions, and public programming-most notably creating and serving as host of In the 51�Թ�.
Kristen's passion in life is making, whether it be painting, carving, home renovating, sewing, and crafting anything and everything with her hands. Originally from central Florida, Kristen performed in Boston and Cambridge as a young musician and grew an attachment to the history and architecture of an antique city-eventually moving to Boston to study cello performance at The Boston Conservatory.
Lance is a graduate of the program and a founding member of Boston's cooperative. He has designed and built custom furniture for over 40 years. He is also a large format photographer and a contributor to Fine Woodworking Magazine. Lance was named a 2016 Mentor in Design by Design New England Magazine.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Lily hails from Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts and finished the Cabinet & Furniture 51�Թ� program at NBSS in Spring 2023. After graduation, she spent time at Needham Furniture Makers alongside other graduates of the program and held a fellowship at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine. She also has a degree in Economics and Psychology from Colby College and previously worked in the tech industry for seven years.
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities & Technology
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the President
Marcia serves as the primary support for the President's office. She is also the key liaison to the Board of Directors and Advisors-providing support, scheduling committee meetings, and serving as main contact for board communications.
Job Titles:
- Clerk
- Member of the Board of Directors
Marlow (they/them) recently graduated from Smith College with a B.A. in Art: Architecture and Urbanism, and a minor in Landscape Studies. Marlow works at the front desk, greeting visitors and providing administrative support to staff, students, and faculty. Marlow's background is centered in community work, food justice and sustainability, and administrative support. They are excited to bring aspects of all of those fields to their work at NBSS.
Martha joined the faculty in 2009. A part-time teacher at the School, Martha is a Portland, Maine bookbinder with extensive experience in conservation. She worked as a conservator for Harvard University's Weissman Preservation Center, the Houghton and Baker Libraries, and the library of 51�Թ�western University.
Matt is an NBSS graduate and long-time NBSS Continuing Education instructor. He joined the full-time program faculty in 2017. Matt has also served as an instructor at The Windsor Institute and Penland School of Craft. He's a long-time member of the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers and a contributor to Fine Woodworking Magazine‘s video series. Matt founded River City Woodworking in 2001, which produces high-end furnishings and millwork for residential and commercial clients.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Preservation Carpentry Instructor
Michael is the second-year instructor for the Preservation Carpentry Program. He specializes in timber-frame joinery and has researched and re-created 17th century methods of roof thatching, interior walls, and paint finishes. After studying Early American and Colonial Life as an undergraduate, he worked as an Interpretive Artisan at researching and interpreting colonial building techniques. In 1999, Michael established MLB Restorations in order to work on the restoration and preservation of historic buildings and to encourage the design of new structures in harmony with traditional and sustainable building methods. His carpentry skill has been recognized by his selection in 2014 by the Historic Royal Palaces to carry out the hewing and squaring of new timbers to be used in the repair of the Tower of London.
After graduating from the Cabinet and Furniture 51�Թ� program in 2007, Nicholas built high end cabinetry and architectural millwork in the Boston Metro area. Later, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving active duty for eight years. Following military discharge, he enrolled at the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, where he studied for three more years under the late Phil Lowe, an NBSS graduate and former Department Head. During his second year as a student, Nicholas began teaching various workshops at the Furniture Institute. Since then, he has taught woodworking classes across New England, for educators such as the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Lexington Arts Society, and Woodcraft of Woburn.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Nicki has been with the School since 2019, and has 5 years of experience in Development. Nicki has a BA in American Studies with a concentration in Museum Studies from Smith College. Prior to joining the Development team at NBSS, Nicki worked in public relations, research, and fundraising roles at museums including the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, the Smith College Museum of Art, and Historic Newton. At NBSS, Nicki maintains the donor database, creating a strong foundation for all of the fundraising success at the School.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Pauline Agassiz Shaw, the School's founder, was a visionary educator and supporter of the "Sloyd" system of manual training. This Swedish method focuses on the development of character, intellectual capacity, and hand skills, which includes an understanding of tools, materials, and processes. It also encourages a great sense of care and a commitment to excellence. Ultimately, the method seeks to teach the "whole person" how to make a living and how to lead a fuller life. Today, the philosophy of Sloyd remains at the heart of the School. View a timeline of our history to learn more about how our School developed over 140-plus years.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Advisors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Director of Admissions & Enrollment
- Director of Admissions, at 617 - 227 - 0155
Rob O'Dwyer heads the admissions and financial aid team for the 9 career training programs at NBSS. Stewardship of the reputation of the school through recruitment, honoring the mission, and connecting individuals and organizations with training and scholarship are primary responsibilities. Identifying potential, working with faculty and other stakeholders, and witnessing transformation are the rewards in the work. Work in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as with military veterans has been especially rewarding. Rob has been at NBSS for 11 years, and the team has achieved record enrollments. Rob has a BA in History from SUNY Potsdam, and an MA in Teaching from Emmanuel College.
Roman is originally from Zakopane, Poland, and began making his first violins at age 14, when he attended the Secondary School of Fine Arts. He studied music and violin making for five years at the in Poznan, Poland, eventually receiving his Master of Fine Arts.
Roman came to the U.S. in 1996, where he worked for more than nine years specializing in violin restoration at in Troy, Michigan. He has studied with Hans Nebel and Boyd Paulsen, and is a regular participant in the Oberlin Violin 51�Թ� Workshop. Among Roman's past commissions was a replacement Gaspar da Salo viola for the late Nathan Gordon, a former Concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, one of Roman's violins earned him a Certificate of Merit for tone for at the 2010 Violin Society of America violin-making competition.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of the Board of Directors
As an educator, leading from both the office and the studio, Sarah has worked at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design, the State University of New York at New Paltz and the Oregon College of Art and Craft. She has lectured widely, regularly serves as a guest critic to studio programs, and has organized exhibitions on contemporary craft and design in the US and abroad. In 2005, Sarah was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to the Netherlands to research Dutch contemporary applied art. Sarah volunteers regularly and serves on the Boards of Art Jewelry Forum and The Furniture Society.
In addition to her work in education, Sarah has maintained a studio practice rooted in craft. Trained in metalsmithing and jewelry, her work has ranged from woodworking to weaving to printmaking-always with a focus on the meanings inherent to objects and materials. Her artwork has been included in exhibitions nationally and internationally, including the Museum of Art and Design in New York, the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, and The Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston.
Born and raised in Ohio, Sarah received a BA from Smith College, a Certificate in Metalsmithing from the Oregon College of Art & Craft, and holds an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Admissions
Sharon, born and raised in Bucks County, PA, came to NBSS in 2013 with more than 20 years of experience in independent school admissions at George School. She has also worked in fine craft and studio art at Sylvia Nicolas Stained Glass Studio in Mont Vernon, NH; Miler Lagos in Toronto; and New York and Oldham Porcelains in Lansdowne, PA. Sharon facilitates not only the admission process, but more importantly the drive, commitment, and mature readiness that candidates bring to their training at NBSS. She is passionate about helping initiate the pathway for students to become masters of their chosen craft and trade, in the spirit of the School's founder Pauline Agassiz Shaw. Sharon received her BA in Fine Art from The University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on hand-built fine porcelain.
Steven is a graduate of our Preservation Carpentry program, teaches first-year students, and is head of the department. He worked for for six years as a carpenter. During this time, he supervised NBSS students as summer interns. He earned a Historic New England President's Award through his work with second-year NBSS students on the preservation of the Pierce House in Dorchester. He has also served as an instructor for Boston YouthBuild's preservation carpentry component.
Steven has guided first-year students through restoration work on many historic properties in the Boston area, including the 1713 Old State House. In 2010, his class saved an 18th-century two-bay English barn from demolition in Hanover, MA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Co - Vice Chair
Job Titles:
- Department Head of the Jewelry 51 Թ & Repair
Tracey is the Department Head of the Jewelry 51�Թ� & Repair program and an Instructor. She is a 2005 graduate of the program and also graduated from Bridgewater State University with a BFA in 2001. Additionally, Tracey has studied various areas of design at the Art Institute of Florence and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
After graduating from NBSS, Tracey worked a variety of jewelry industry jobs from stone setting to casting. She also started her own business right out of school, specializing in custom engagement and wedding jewelry. In recent years she has been working on mastering various techniques of enameling to include in her work.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Will studied piano technology for two years in an apprenticeship before completing the Basic Piano Technology program in 2019, and is an Instructor in the Basic Piano Technology program. He has worked with the Sing For Hope foundation-a music outreach organization in New York City-since 2016, as both an intern and supervisor. After graduating, he worked as a field technician doing in-home service with Onigman Piano Craft in New Jersey, and is now the owner of here in Boston.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors