Written by Marlene Markard
We are delighted to embark on our summer project to design a music curriculum for aspiring pre-college and college age musicians with learning differences for our partner, the Southwest Florida Music Education Center. Our curriculum development team is composed of dedicated and highly experienced music educators who have specialized in teaching students with a wide range of exceptionalities. Representing more than 100 collective years of specialized music education experience, the members of our team serve in multiple roles as educators, curriculum developers, program directors, professional development presenters, performing artists, and inclusion advocates. Our team is excited to bring its knowledge, vision, and experience to this project.
MEET OUR TEAM MEMBERS
Team Leader
Marlene Markard is a music educator, pianist, presenter, program director, and curriculum developer. Marlene specializes in teaching students with a wide range of exceptionalities. She currently serves as an instructor and staff member at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education, where she leads curriculum and program development initiatives. Marlene is also the Director of the Beethoven Ensemble and the Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at the Boston Music Project (BMP), where she teaches general music to students with exceptionalities Marlene recently created BMP’s first SEL-informed music curriculum. In addition, Marlene is a piano instructor for and the Director of the Westwood Prodigy Program, an after-school music program that serves more than 300 students in Westwood, Massachusetts. She also regularly facilitates professional development workshops and presents her work at educator conferences. Marlene received her Graduate Certificate in Music Education and Autism from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, her J.D. from the Cardozo School of Law, and her B.A., cum laude, from Barnard College.
Team Members
Nadia Castagna Morin is a music educator and presenter who specializes in teaching high- and low-support needs students with a wide range of learning differences. Nadia teaches music at the New England Center for Children (NECC), a special education residential school in Southborough, Massachusetts. In addition, Nadia serves as a co-facilitator of the BIAAE’s Rock Band ensemble, iPad Ensemble, and Music Classes for Young Children, for which she has co-developed curricula. She regularly presents her work at the ABLE Assembly Conference and actively performs as a percussionist with the Me2/Orchestra in Boston. Nadia received her M.M.Ed. (Autism Concentration) from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and will begin the ABA Specialization Program at NECC in the Fall.
Sarah Fard is an educator and musician focused on creating a more accessible and inclusive music scene. An active performing artist, Sarah currently teaches guitar, guitar ensemble, music technology, and adapted music at Medford High School in Medford, Massachusetts. She is a member of the Graduate Music Education faculty at the Longy School of Music and serves as a private lesson educational consultant at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. In addition, Sarah coordinates Berklee’s chapter of United Sound, a program that brings adaptive beginning band lessons to adults. Sarah received the 2018 Berklee Urban Service Award for her work with United Sound. Sarah received her Graduate Certificate in Music Education and Autism from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, her M.M.Ed. from Boston University, and her B.M. in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire.
Zoe Gelinas is a music educator who specializes in working with students with a wide range of special needs. She is an instructor at the Berklee Institute for Arts Education (BIAAE) and teaches adaptive music in private lesson and small group settings through the Needham Public School system in Needham, Massachusetts. She formerly served as a Post-Master’s Fellow at the BIAAE. Zoe received her M.M.Ed. (Autism Concentration) from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and her Bachelor’s of Music from Berklee College of Music.
Marisa Giangregorio is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator who specializes in teaching students with learning differences. She currently serves as a Music Educator and Autism Intervention Specialist at Somerville Public Schools. Marisa is also a private lesson instructor at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE), where she teaches private lessons, co-facilitates the Inner Harmony Chorus, and is a staff member in the ABLE Day Sessions Summer Music Program. Marisa received her M.M.Ed. (Autism Concentration) from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Boston University.
Hadley Lloyd is a drummer and music educator who specializes in teaching students with disabilities. Hadley regularly performs with different R&B, jazz, and funk bands and is currently the drummer with a local Boston folk band. She currently serves as an instructor at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education, where she teaches private lessons, co-facilitates the Rock Band Ensemble, and teaches in the ABLE Day Sessions Summer Music Program. Hadley also teaches private lessons and leads ensembles in community arts non-profits in the Boston area. Hadley received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut and is working towards her M.M.Ed. (Autism Concentration) at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Xue Liu is a pianist and music educator who specializes in teaching students with learning differences. Xue currently serves as a private lesson instructor at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. She also co-facilitates BIAAE’s Music History class, for which she has co-developed the curriculum. Xue also actively performs as a pianist. She is working towards her M.M. and her M.M.Ed. (Autism Concentration) at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Tomas Marquez is a pianist, presenter, and award-winning specialized educator with more than 12 years of experience teaching students with special needs. He currently serves as the general music teacher at the May Center School in Randolph, Massachusetts, where he teaches students with high-support needs. This fall he will begin a new music teaching position in the Boston Public Schools. He is also an instructor at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE), where he teaches piano, composition, and music technology. In addition, Tomas facilitates professional development workshops through the BIAAE and regularly presents his work at the ABLE Assembly Conference. Tomas received his M.M.Ed. (Autism Concentration) from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Arleen Sherman has more than 25 years of experience teaching music to neurodiverse students. Arleen owns and operates her own music studio in Rhode Island. She is also a piano instructor at the The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) and co-creator and co-facilitator of the Daytime Moon Creations Theater Program at the BIAAE. In addition, Arleen serves as a private lesson educational consultant for the BIAAE, training and supporting other BIAAE piano instructors. Arleen received her Graduate Certificate in Music Education and Autism from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
