Jody Pongratz
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
When Jody read this description: “DSM is more than just a music school; it is a hub where people of all ages and abilities come together to discover and experience the joy of diversity, creative expression, and, above all, community” she knew she found a special place and wanted to be a part of it. Growing up in a musical family, Jody began piano lessons with her mother at age 5. Music has always been a part of her life. Her passion is to instill the love of the arts in students of all ages!
As a collaborative pianist, Jody has performed with many choral and theatrical groups in Metropolitan Boston as well as Natick and Wayland Public schools and has accompanied vocal and instrumental soloists. She has served as Director of Music Ministry for many years in Wayland and provided music for religious services of various faiths in the area. Jody has taught piano for over 25 years to children and adults and has worked as a freelance musician most of her life.
Jody received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Relations, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard University where she also studied music and choral conducting. She has a Masters in Education from Boston University. In addition, Jody has sung with the Harvard/Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, Back Bay Chorale, John Oliver Chorale, and the Heritage Chorale as well as other small ensembles.
Jody became executive director of DSM in 2021, bringing non-profit management experience having served in community organizations and on the Wayland Cultural Council, Wayland's Creative Arts Parents Association, Weston Drama Workshop, and Harvard/Radcliffe Collegium Musicum Foundation where she helped create the Choral Fund at Harvard. Currently Jody serves on the Regional Board of NPHUSA.org, an organization that provides a home, education, and medical care to children in Central and Latin America as well as the Harvard Club in Concord, MA. She also remains active with AFSUSA, an international program that empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.
Jody lives in Wayland, MA, with her husband (a tenor) and one of her adult children (an actor). Her other children are a robotics engineer and dancer/theater artist/arts educator.
When Jody read this description: “DSM is more than just a music school; it is a hub where people of all ages and abilities come together to discover and experience the joy of diversity, creative expression, and, above all, community” she knew she found a special place and wanted to be a part of it. Growing up in a musical family, Jody began piano lessons with her mother at age 5. Music has always been a part of her life. Her passion is to instill the love of the arts in students of all ages!
As a collaborative pianist, Jody has performed with many choral and theatrical groups in Metropolitan Boston as well as Natick and Wayland Public schools and has accompanied vocal and instrumental soloists. She has served as Director of Music Ministry for many years in Wayland and provided music for religious services of various faiths in the area. Jody has taught piano for over 25 years to children and adults and has worked as a freelance musician most of her life.
Jody received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Relations, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard University where she also studied music and choral conducting. She has a Masters in Education from Boston University. In addition, Jody has sung with the Harvard/Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, Back Bay Chorale, John Oliver Chorale, and the Heritage Chorale as well as other small ensembles.
Jody became executive director of DSM in 2021, bringing non-profit management experience having served in community organizations and on the Wayland Cultural Council, Wayland's Creative Arts Parents Association, Weston Drama Workshop, and Harvard/Radcliffe Collegium Musicum Foundation where she helped create the Choral Fund at Harvard. Currently Jody serves on the Regional Board of NPHUSA.org, an organization that provides a home, education, and medical care to children in Central and Latin America as well as the Harvard Club in Concord, MA. She also remains active with AFSUSA, an international program that empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.
Jody lives in Wayland, MA, with her husband (a tenor) and one of her adult children (an actor). Her other children are a robotics engineer and dancer/theater artist/arts educator.
You can reach Jody at jpongratz@dedhamschoolofmusic.org.
Laurie Bloom
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Laurie's career in academic and nonprofit administration spans more than 30 years. Coming from a family of educators, artists and musicians, altruism and creativity were valued and ingrained. Laurie started her career in academia while earning her master's in education focusing on student personnel administration and counseling. She worked at the University of Delaware's Center for Counseling, the Access Center for Returning Adults, The Law School of Widener University, and New England School of Law. Other life changing work experiences have included working with the AIDS Action Committee, the Justice Resource Institute, Span Inc., and Harvard School of Public Health's Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research.
A long-time fan of choral music, Laurie is a past member of Dedham's own Dedham Choral Society under director Jonathan Barnhart; her favorite work she performed with DCS is Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein.. One day she hopes to return and perform Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, another favorite.
Laurie lives in Quincy, Mass. with her husband David and their wonderful black tripod cat, Sardini. Between them they have four adult children and three grandchildren, all living on the East Coast: in Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia.
Laurie is very happy to join the Dedham School of Music administrative team!
You can reach Laurie at lbloom@dedhamschoolofmusic.org.
Laurie's career in academic and nonprofit administration spans more than 30 years. Coming from a family of educators, artists and musicians, altruism and creativity were valued and ingrained. Laurie started her career in academia while earning her master's in education focusing on student personnel administration and counseling. She worked at the University of Delaware's Center for Counseling, the Access Center for Returning Adults, The Law School of Widener University, and New England School of Law. Other life changing work experiences have included working with the AIDS Action Committee, the Justice Resource Institute, Span Inc., and Harvard School of Public Health's Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research.
A long-time fan of choral music, Laurie is a past member of Dedham's own Dedham Choral Society under director Jonathan Barnhart; her favorite work she performed with DCS is Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein.. One day she hopes to return and perform Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, another favorite.
Laurie lives in Quincy, Mass. with her husband David and their wonderful black tripod cat, Sardini. Between them they have four adult children and three grandchildren, all living on the East Coast: in Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia.
Laurie is very happy to join the Dedham School of Music administrative team!
You can reach Laurie at lbloom@dedhamschoolofmusic.org.