Concentration: Sonido Musica
Solomon Jones
Adaptive Music Program / Sonido Musica
Solomon Jones was born in Boston, raised in Colorado and now based in Springfield, is focusing on his early career as an educator, professional bassist, producer and mix engineer. Finding his passion for teaching while attending Springfield High School of Science and Technology, he became a CMSS Sonido Musica intern in fall 2023, a Teaching Artist in 2024, and is now joining the Adaptive Music Program team for Fall 2025. He’s currently attending Holyoke Community College studying both education and music performance.
Growing up, Solomon moved around a lot, allowing him to experience a range of cultures and see many ways that people engage with music. These early formative experiences have shaped Solomon as a performer and educator. He is an active professional performer around Western Mass including at the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.
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Julia Irizarry
Adaptive Music Program / Sonido Musica Originally from New Jersey, she is a graduate of Rowan University, where she received her Bachelor’s in Music Education (K-12) with a summa cum laude distinction. Julia is currently continuing her studies at UMass Amherst, pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Education. In addition to her studies at UMass Julia serves as the Athletic Bands graduate assistant, working with the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, Hoop Band, and Ice Band. Julia is eager to continue her journey with music education and communal/non-profit education through her involvement with CMSS, Springfield Public Schools, and other community partners.
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Tara Murphy
Sonido Musica Tara Murphy earned her B.A. in theater and religious studies at Yale University, where she also began studying African dance. At this time Tara began exploring her heritage through African studies at Yale, and was awarded a fellowship to study traditional dance and drumming at the University of Legon in Ghana, West Africa. For the past 25 years, she has studied closely with many African and Afro-Caribbean artists in Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. She recognizes the practice of African dance and drumming as a tremendous force for healing, meditation, empowerment and community. It is her greatest honor to share the inspiration of these ancient traditions. Tara teaches West African inspired dance and drumming for many programs within CMSS. She also shares therapeutic movement and drumming for many day programs for adults with disabilities, senior residences, recovery programs and mental health centers.
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