Cape Cod Conservatory announces new courses & additions to faculty

Cape Cod Conservatory announces major additions to its faculty and exciting new courses in time for upcoming Spring Semester

WEST BARNSTABLE -   The Cape Cod Conservatory announced today that its Spring Semester will feature a wide range of new courses as well as more than 15 new members on its prestigious faculty.  The new courses include offerings for all ages in music, dance, art and theater.  The new faculty members include some of New England’s best musicians, well known artists and highly acclaimed dancers.

Some of the new courses being featured are jewelry making, photography and Master Classes in ballet, Broadway jazz and tap.  At the Conservatory’s Falmouth campus a Digital Music Lab has been created to provide a revolutionary way to teach young students the basics of music while providing more experienced players with a powerful range of new tools to help them polish their composition and performance skills.   

Other courses include stained glass making, digital drums, ensembles for seniors (get out that instrument from the attic and play!) and two new art classes, one for beginners and one for advanced painters working in oil.

“We’re offering a wide range of new and exciting programs in addition to the many courses for which we are well known,” said Cape Cod Conservatory Executive Director Jeffrey Myers.  “We’ve listened to hundreds of people and are giving them what they want.  It’s going to be fun — and exciting.”

The new faculty members read like a Who’s Who of the Cape cultural scene.  Etta Goodstein will share her secrets for making the Cape’s most popular jewelry.  Ron Tinney will share his story — and talents — that quickly turned him from a novice to one of the Cape’s most collected artists.  Doug Long will show why he’s one of the Cape’s best photographers.  Loretta Feeney will share her extraordinary skills that have resulted in exhibitions around the world. 

Cape Cod Symphony musicians joining the Conservatory staff include Claude Cobert (principal flute), Amy Doherty (French horn) and Diane Houle (principal viola).  Already on the Conservatory’s staff are Roy Campbell (principal trombone), Judy Yaltadel (bass), Sandy Spencer and Liz Schultze (cello) and Bo Ericcson (principal cello), and Pierre d’Archambeau (violin).  

Anne Perrault is one of New England’s most sought-after piano soloists and concentrates on advanced students preparing for auditions and performances.

Mark Crociati is highly active in the Boston area. Specializing in clarinet and saxophone, Crociati is an accomplished Yale graduate with an exceptional reputation and record.

David Wilson will be teaching voice.  On the staff at New England Conservatory, he is quickly creating a remarkable following in the Boston area.

Saxophonist Roger Gamache is an accomplished musician and highly respected teacher. His band, Stage Door Canteen, plays regularly on the Cape and throughout the Boston area.    

The Conservatory’s own Jazz Band is the source of several new additions including Berke McElvey (woodwinds), currently on staff at Berklee; and Jeff Dodge, arguably the top drummer on the Cape.

“These people are all the very best at what they do.  It’s a remarkable stable of talent under one roof,” said Myers.  “Our faculty is the Conservatory.  They are what make us unique and special.”

Over the past few months the Conservatory has reached out to the Cape’s broad and deep pool of talent that makes this area so culturally rich.  “I’ve met the most amazing people,” said Myers.  “The best example of our ability to collaborate is what we’re doing with Gary Girouard and his company - Galileo Music - in Falmouth.”  Working together, Galileo and the Conservatory are establishing a Digital Music Lab at the Conservatory’s Falmouth Campus.

The Digital Music Lab provides technology-enhanced music education allowing beginning students to learn to love music in a whole new way.  The small-group setting provides for one-on-one instruction as well as group activities.  

“Our background in technology-enhanced music education is a perfect fit for the Conservatory,” said Galileo’s president, Gary Girouard.  “Our collaboration with the Conservatory gives our technology a perfect platform, and the best part is, the people who benefit the most are the students.”

“Gary is an amazing musician and teacher,” said Myers.  “His talent is evident on his beautiful CDs.  But it’s his passion for teaching that really impressed me.  Our new system is going to revolutionize the way kids learn music — and learn to enjoy music.” 

Myers became the Cape Cod Conservatory’s Executive Director in August.  Since then, the Conservatory has opened a new Nursery-Kindergarten at its Falmouth campus, overall enrollment has increased more than 20% and the faculty has grown to more than 70 members. 

Founded in 1965, the Cape Cod Conservatory is a non-profit organization serving the cultural needs of the community through instruction in music, art, dance and theater. With almost 1,000 students and a faculty of more than 60, it has campuses located in West Barnstable on Route 132 and on Highfield Drive in Falmouth, next to its Highfield Theater.