ҹɫÊÓƵapp

Alex is a Registered Piano Technician and has worked in piano technology since 2016 when they started as a work-study assistant in the Piano Technology department at Berklee College of Music. Since then Alex has spent time as a technician in the home, in piano showrooms, and on the concert stage. Now, as an instructor of Basic Piano Technology, Alex is excited to bring their experience to the classroom.

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.

After graduating from the Cabinet and Furniture Making 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 ҹɫÊÓƵapp 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.

Erika McMahon is the founder and principal of Tidemark Philanthropy, an advisory practice supporting mission-driven institutions with philanthropy strategy, governance, campaign readiness, and leadership alignment. She brings senior advancement experience across independent schools and higher education, including leadership in major campaign environments. She is currently working with ҹɫÊÓƵapp as a strategic advisor supporting advancement strategy and institutional momentum.

Rob O’Dwyer heads the admissions and financial aid team for the 9 career training programs at ҹɫÊÓƵapp. 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 ҹɫÊÓƵapp 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.

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 ҹɫÊÓƵapp students as summer interns. He earned a Historic New England President’s Award through his work with second-year ҹɫÊÓƵapp 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.

Kristen has worked in the retail service industry for over 20 years. Prior to ҹɫÊÓƵapp, 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 ҹɫÊÓƵapp, she has supported our trade school students through retail, exhibitions, and public programming—most notably creating and serving as host of In the Making.

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.

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 ҹɫÊÓƵapp.

Jamey is a 2006 graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture Making program where he is now the Department Head and 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.

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. He is also the Northeast Regional Vice President of the Piano Technicians Guild and a PTG board member.

Barbara has been with ҹɫÊÓƵapp 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.

Kolin is a furniture maker, teacher, and graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture Making program. He is an instructor in the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive as well as several weekend Community Education classes. Before attending ҹɫÊÓƵapp, Kolin received an architecture degree and practiced as a draftsperson and designer for both residential and commercial properties in rural Iowa. Kolin shares a furniture studio with two other North Bennet graduates in New Hampshire.