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.

Nora Cruz is a Teaching Artist with CMSS’ Adaptive Music Program. She is a Texas native who grew up playing piano and singing in choirs. For university, Nora received a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and a minor in psychology from Berklee College of Music. She was drawn to music therapy because it complimented her wishes to work with people, to share music, and to learn from others. Recently certified as a music therapist, she hopes to bring compassion, creativity, and fun to the people she meets. She is also a music therapist and voice/music instructor at Berkshire Hills Music Academy.

I-SHEA is a Teaching Artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica and Adaptive Music Programs, reaching hundreds of youth each week in Springfield and Holyoke Public Schools. I-SHEA is an eclectic International ARTist (performing/recording/teaching artist), a Thriver, an Advocate for social systemic change, a Humanitarian sharing space on this plane. Irene “I-SHEA” Shaikly has carved her way into various musical frames integrating her multicultural background in her music, style, and presentation. I-SHEA, who calls herself “The Original Jewminican”, (a Dominican and Jewish woman with an Arabic last name) is a global drummer/percussionist, emcee, singer/songwriter, dancer, theater, and teaching artist originally from the Bronx, NY. She has taken her work to Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Senegal West Africa, and Jamaica continuing on her journey as a global citizen of the arts and the world. Building connections and community through performance art, education, and organizing, her mission is to spread the movement of universal love and truth, to continue to inspire and motivate individuals to seek their highest authentic selves through storytelling, music, movement/dance, theater, and poetry. She is a member of Gokh bi system.

Jessica Corwin is a Pioneer Valley-based music educator and performer. After fifteen years of teaching in Massachusetts public schools, she joined CMSS as the Director of the Adaptive Music Program in 2021. As a multi-instrumentalist, Jessica’s varied resume includes work as Strings Director, Assistant Conductor of the Brookline Chorus, Kodaly educator, and infant and toddler music teacher. In 2016, she was a recipient of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Jessica holds a Graduate Certificate in Music Education and Autism from Berklee School of Music as well as degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and The Boston Conservatory. She also serves as the Chair of the Sunderland School Committee and is an active member of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Jessica plays viola professionally and was a founding member of the mission-based chamber ensembles Larcom Strings and the Quark Quartet.

Jennifer Kass graduated from Clark University with a B.A. in Music and earned a M.A. in Music Therapy at Lesley University. She is certified by the Board of Music Therapists. Jen is a teaching artist in CMSS’ Adaptive Music Program. In addition to her work as a music therapist, Jen is also a visual artist and photographer.