BAAMS Fall Classes Starting Sept. 13

10:19AM / Wednesday, August 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) is now offering registration for its Fall 2025 classes.

Music students of all levels, ages 10 to 18, will have the chance to study Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophones and Woodwinds, Guitar, Bass, and Drums along with Improvisation and Music Composition with a faculty who are also members of the Juilliard School, NBC's "Saturday Night Live" Band, and are multi-Grammy award- winning recording artists.

"BAAMS offers our students a unique music learning experience that teaches our kids not only how to improvise, and compose and record their own original music, but also gives our students the guidance to develop their skills and talents as developing instrumentalists and musicians and having fun at the same time," said Founder and Executive Director Richard Boulger. "No two students learn the same way — we pride ourselves in helping each of our students have success and develop confidence in themselves. While learning from a teaching faculty who are truly committed to helping each student grow, they're also being passed the torch of the American musical legacies of faculty that is second to none, featuring Guitarist Rodney Jones, Bassist Alex Blake, Drummer Tony Lewis, Pianist Dario Boente, Saxophonist and Woodwinds Master Ron Blake, and myself on Trumpet and Trombone."

BAAMS also features special guest masterclasses that have in the past included 7-time Grammy Award winner and Trumpeter Randy Brecker, Saxophonists Ada Rovatti, Alex Foster, Jay Rodriguez, Percussionist Mino Cinelu, Trombonist Steve Davis, Vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis, Guitarist David Gilmore the Allman Brothers Band original founding member and drummer Jaimoe, among others.

Classes at BAAMS begin Saturday September 13 from 10:30am to 3:30pm and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click here to register: https://www.berkshiresacademyams.org/class-registration

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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports09:16AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

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