~ Faculty & Staff Bios ~
Biographies of our faculty and staff.
Music Department Faculty
Ronald "Buddy" Bibeault is the Fine Arts Director of the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District. Along with his administrative responsibilities, Buddy is the director of the High School Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. A musician with a multifaceted career, Mr. Bibeault has appeared as a conductor, freelance trombonist, arranger, adjudicator, and clinician throughout the New England area.
- School: Berklee College of Music; New England Conservatory
- Primary instrument: Trombone
- Accomplishments: Recipient Massachusetts Instrumental Conductors and Choir Association Hall of Fame in 2004 receiving the Paul Smith Memorial Award
- Fun fact: Buddy insists that hats are fun (and protect you from the sun) despite wide-ranging consensus that they are a questionable fashion statement.
- Quote:
"The environment and support that we get for the music department makes it fun to get up and come to work every day."
Russ is going into his 25th year with the program at BMR. Prior to that he taught for seven years in Burrillville, RI.
- School: Berklee College of Music; University of Connecticut; Rhode Island College
- Primary instrument: Clarinet, Sax, Flute, Voice
- Accomplishments: Helped many people of the years discover the joys of music.
- Fun fact: Russ loves to travel.
- Quote:
"[BMR] is such a great place to teach because of the support you get from students, parents, teachers and administration."
Todd is going into his sixth year at BMR. Prior to that he was an Assistant Marching Ban Director at Milford High School in Michigan. Todd will be teaching Beginner Band, Six Grade Band, and Seventh Grade Band during this school year in addition to supporting the marching band.
- School: University of Michigan
- Primary instrument: Tuba (though he plays all brass instruments).
- Accomplishments: Gold Medal, Middle School Jazz Districts, 2004
- Fun fact: Todd is a big fan of bluegrass music and has been playing the banjo for about three (3)years.
- Quote:
"I like the students at BMR. I have found that kids in Blackstone and Millville are very well rounded and hard-working. I have also found that the parents in these communities are extremely supportive of the music program, which isn't always the case."
This is Rebecca's sixth year at BMR. Prior to that she taught at Tootin' Hills Elementary school in Simsbury, CT. This year Rebecca will be teaching General Music at J. F. Kennedy Elementary and General Music at A. F. Maloney Elementary in addition to directing the Clarinet Choir.
- School: University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music
- Primary instrument: Clarinet, Piano, Voice
- Accomplishments: National Guild of Piano Teachers Preparatory Collegiate Class Diploma, 1997
- Fun fact: In the summer of 2001, Rebecca taught Kindergarten classes for two weeks in Guatemala with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF)
- Quote:
"The things that I enjoy best about BMR are the friendly staff and students."
Music Department Staff
Eric is going into his 7th year at BMR as the Co-Percussion Director for the Fall and Winter Percussion Seasons. His musical experiences cover the range from Drum Corps, band/orchestral ensembles, theatre productions, to his current membership as a Snare Drummer with the Middlesex County Volunteers. In addition to his work with BMR and his position of Percussion Caption Head and Battery Arranger with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps, Eric works for a Medical Software company which allows him to travel the United States training Hospital and Clinic staff on the use of various software applications. He is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team.
- School: Westfield State College (Massachusetts)
- Primary instrument: Percussion, Music Composition and Education
- Accomplishments: Member, Vic Firth Education Team
- Fun fact: Eric has not added his name to the list of those who have swum across the English Channel but he may at some time in the future.
- Quote:
"Besides the freedom Bud has given me in writing for the percussion ensemble, it is amazing working with students, parents, and staff whose goal follows my own: strive for quality education and put out a strong, enjoyable product."
Dave Fox is a drum set artist and educator currently residing in the Boston area and 2007 marks his seventh season as Co-Percussion Director for both the fall and winter marching percussion programs at Blackstone-Millville High School. Dave has also been a staff member of Thom Hannum Mobile Percussion Seminar since 1998 and in 2004 became a member of the Vic Firth Education Team as a Marching Percussion Specialist. His marching experience includes groups such as The Crossmen (1997) Star of Indiana's "Brass Theatre" (1996) and The University of Massachusetts' Minuteman Marching Band (1993-1997). He performs regularly with Boston area jazz artists such as Pat Loomis, Wendy Nottonson, Larry Roland, Phil Grenadier, Mike Ball, and Karouko.
- School: University of Massachusetts, (B.A. Communications, Political Science). Private studies with Bob Gullotti, Thom Hannum, Walter Tockarczyk, and Billy Ward.
- Primary instrument: Drumset, Percussion.
- Accomplishments: Louis Armstrong Jazz Award - Recipient 1993, The Crossmen Distinguished Service Award - Recipient 1997, Boston Music Award - Nominee 2002.
- Fun fact: Dave has played gigs with several rock and funk groups as well as his Jazz Trio all over the Northeast U.S. and as far away as Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica
- Quote:
"The tradition of excellence that is part of the BMR music program is inspiring. It's a pleasure to work with a program that holds it self to such high standards." - Website: www.davidefox.net
Dustin is currently pursuing a B.M. in Music Performance with a minor in jazz studies at Rhode Island College. Working with the students since he graduated from BMR in 2004, he feels privileged to be able to work on this great staff with this great group of kids. In addition to his experience playing with the BMR Marching Band and Winter Percussion programs for five years, Dustin has been a member of both the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps - (2002, 2003) and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps - (2005, hopeful for 2007).
- School: Rhode Island College.
- Primary instrument: Percussion.
- Accomplishments: Survived three (3) seasons of Drum Corps.
- Fun fact: Despite watching it for hours in fascination, Dustin has no idea how the game of curling really works.
- Quote:
"I'm honored to be where I am right now at BMR. Being able to participate in the program and then become a teacher and see things from "the other side" has been an amazing experience. I can only hope that I'm able to stay involved here for years down the road."
Paula has been teaching piano and flute privately at B.M.R. for 21 years. She has been director of the Middle School Flute Choir since 1998. She also accompanies the High School chorus when needed. Paula works as a musician in the area. She has been organist and music director at St. Theresa's Church for 20 years. She has also worked in local theater playing flute and piano as well as serving as music director. She loves to teach and play and couldn't be happier with her chosen profession.
- School: Rhode Island College.
(Currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Music Education) - Primary instrument: Flute, Piano
- Accomplishments: Nominated for the Massachusetts Cultural Council Teacher of the Year.
- Fun fact: If you know Paula, you know she can't back up. At least the car didn't end up in the pool. Enough said.
- Quote:
"Without joy, there is no music."