While she has been the executive director of Berkshire Music School for three years, Natalie Neubert is still regularly introducing herself to the wider community in her "new" role as she took over just before the lockdown of the pandemic. As the broader Berkshire community is still getting to know her, Natalie has been busy reimagining the offerings at the venerable cultural institution on Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Today, there is a grander mesh of musical opportunities that are lighting up the imaginations of young and old alike. This includes electronic, DJ, computer music, sound design, video game design music, which Natalie is working to include into a wider curriculum to add to the traditional music lessons for the classic instruments, such as the piano and violin. Like all successful non-profits, it's a team effort. Also on the this episode we welcome BMS board member Karen Cellini and her partner, Joe Corcoran, who are both producers for the upcoming production of Tony and Tina's Wedding on April 29th at the Holiday Inn, which is serving as a major fundraiser for the Berkshire Music School. And this one is not to be missed, as Pittsfield's former Mayor, Jimmy Ruberto, will be cameo role as Uncle Luigi. That's worth the price of admission on its own! Also in this episode, we cover: Natalie's artistic journey from piano, sax, electronic music and her love of Bach, not being Kenny G, tonalities, Karen's past work with the Storefront Artists Project, the value of music infused into public education, leveraging our cultural institutions in the Berkshires to enrich our schools, power of sound and frequency, mastery and also being in the moment with activities that simply bring you joy, and more.

I hope you'll enjoy my conversation with Natalie, Karen and Joe.