Abbey Fluet holds a B.A. in Dance with a minor in Education from Smith College. She has served as a toddler teacher at the Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill and a Young Artist Intern at Bearnstow. Abbey’s teaching interests stem from the Reggio Emilia philosophy, somatics and improvisation

Jake Liuzzo is a Music Therapist from Northampton, MA. He plays guitar, drums, bass, and keyboards. He listens to a lot of different music, mostly funk, rock, and jazz with a heavy dose of improvisation. Outside of music, he is an avid bowler and a board game enthusiast.

Melissa Fontaine studied Music Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Eastern Illinois University. She worked as a general music teacher in Hingham, MA for five years, and has since done work in arts administration. Melissa enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons and co-parenting a greyhound with her wife.

Learn with me if…

If you want to express yourself through the power of music! Music isn’t about perfection – it’s about authenticity and connection. It is a way to reflect identity, convey emotion, and interact with the world regardless of level, background, or status.

Sarah’s Student Testimonials

“Sarah is so encouraging and positive, my son feels drawn to music and trying new things in the space she creates. She spots individuals’ interests and builds on those — and she adapts to group dynamics exceptionally well. She is amazing.” – Rex Pittman

“Sarah does a fantastic job of inspiring a lifelong love and appreciation of music. She really connects with Luka by finding his specific definition of fun and finds adjacent things to expand his palate.” – Luka Nowak

Learn with me if…

If you want to build a healthy, sustainable vocal technique that lets you sing your favorite songs.

Julia’s Student Testimonials

“Julia es una profesora excelente y enseña canciones bilingues es muy linda. Nos encantan las clases se nota la planeacion y la transicion de las actividades de la clase es muy divertida . Julia has a great energy es muy alegre.”

“Always on time and keeps the class moving at a steady pace, We love the classes, they are so much fun with a variety of songs, instruments and props”

“Leora loves how Ms. Julia ” goes into the closet” and brings out all kinds of cool musical learning instruments. I love how she engages everyone and creates such a positive, uplifting and comfortable atmosphere perfect for fostering learning and making the kids feel safe to learn and participate!”

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.

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.