Berkshire Hills Music Academy (BHMA) is a unique college-like program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are looking to expand their social, vocational, and life skills in a music-infused environment.
BHMA was founded and incorporated as a nonprofit by a group of dedicated parents and professionals in 1999. It was the first of its kind to use music to help individuals with disabilities grow their independent living skills. The vision of developing the strengths and celebrating the abilities of its students has endured over the past two decades. As the BHMA community has diversified and the campus has expanded, music and arts enrichment remain woven throughout all areas of the academy's program. BHMA continues to offer dynamic class options and provide innovative vocational opportunities, while empowering its individuals to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Campus
BHMA's campus is located on a forty-acre property in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in the midst of the culturally vibrant Five College Area. Overlooking a panoramic vista of mountains and within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, transportation, and employment sites, BHMA offers a rare combination of beauty and convenience.
Programming: Residential and Vocation Programs
BHMA offers residential and day programs that use music at their core to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities advance their skills for communication, independence and employment.
BHMA's programs consist of a Two-Year Transition Program and the LIVE Program. In the Transition Program, students gain hands-on experience through pre-vocational training, internship rotations, and community engagement over two years. In the LIVE Program, students pursue one of three track – art, music, or general vocation – tailored to their interests, capabilities, and career goals. These tracks include paid performance opportunities, individual and group ensemble work, resume building, interview and job readiness training, and art production with sales.
Participants:
BHMA serves approximately 50 students, who engage in its residential, transition, and LIVE vocation programming.
Physical Plant:
BHMA’s facilities include a main campus located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, plus two residential houses used by students participating in the residential program. The living spaces, studios, and workrooms are designed to support life skills training, musical and artistic practice, and community building.
Financial Overview:
Berkshire Hills Music Academy generates approximately $6 million in annual revenue with a consistent positive operating profit. BHMA holds about $4.5 million in cash and investments and carries no debt, providing long-term stability and the flexibility to continue investing in its mission and programs.
A BHMA Student Story – Mark Palardy
Mark Palardy began at BHMA in 2014 as a Summer Program attendee and was captivated by the academy's musical atmosphere and close-knit community. He then enrolled in BHMA's Two-Year Transition Program to establish a foundation of independent living and job readiness skills—areas that he has furthered since matriculating into the academy's LIVE Program in 2017. Mark, who has Noonan syndrome and experiences hearing loss as well, is passionate about music, and his schedule is centered around using it as a means of employment. A member of BHMA's working band The Groovers, Mark regularly performs in the community––providing him an opportunity to challenge himself, receive compensation, and change perceptions of people with disabilities.
Musically and otherwise, Mark has flourished at BHMA. After residing in its on-campus dormitory—first in a room, and later in the apartment—he moved to one of BHMA's off-campus houses. Under the supervision of an advisor, Mark continues to advance his independence when it comes to managing his laundry, self-care, cooking, and free time. He immerses himself in all of his classes—Experimental Science allows him to “try new things and see what happens,” while Vocational Art gives him an outlet to express himself artistically. Mark also enjoys working in the BHMA kitchen, being a part of the Special Olympics bowling team, and participating with the Boltwood Project and Best Buddies. He credits the staff with helping him gain confidence in his ability to one day live in his own apartment.
Berkshire Hills Music Academy (BHMA) is a unique college-like program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are looking to expand their social, vocational, and life skills in a music and arts infused environment.
Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, the CEO will oversee the vision, strategic direction and day-to-day operations of BHMA. The CEO will work closely with the Board of Trustees creating and implementing the strategic vision and direction for the all BHMA programs. The CEO will manage all BHMA operations, staff, and manage the day-to-day activities and operations of BHMA.
The CEO is responsible for the overall financial viability and programmatic success of the organization and its community. The CEO should be passionate about implementing a comprehensive program with music at its core that helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities advance their skills for communication, independence, and employment.
Key Responsibilities
Administrative Management:
Manage a team of 85, with 5 direct reports.
Oversee all BHMA operations and staff, including all program staff, day and residential staff, music department staff, clinical staff, finance, admissions, marketing, fundraising, administration, and operations:
Responsible for defining the organizational structure:
Recruiting, hiring, retaining, and training staff.
Collaboratively develop organization and program budgets with management team.
Provide regular supervision and leadership of direct reports, including consistent one-on-one meetings and annual performance reviews.
Monitor the financial position and accuracy of the organization with the VP of Finance and develop budgets to ensure stability of the organization both short and long-term.
Partner with the Board on budget review and acceptance.
State and school-based contract oversight and management, including DDS, school-based, and private pay.
Ensure timely and proactive communications for all contracts.
Create and implement a fundraising program.
Identify, cultivate and solicit individual, corporate and foundation support to financially support and sustain BHMA.
Fundraising efforts include the annual gala, fall/spring appeal, grant support, and individual donor solicitation.
Ensure compliance with all polices and procedure handbook for the BHMA staff and community. And, ensure the timely updates of the staff handbook and academy handbook as needed.
Board Governance:
Report to the Board Chair and meet with her regularly. Meet regularly with all Board committees – Governance, Development/Marketing, and Finance.
Partner with Board of Trustees with long-range planning processes to create and implement strategic and operating plans, including program priorities, goals, and strategies.
Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to develop any new programs and services.
Regularly work with the Chairs of each committee and prepare necessary presentations and reports.
Implement the Strategic Plan, approved by the Board 2025.
Assist with identifying, recruiting, and onboarding new Board Members.
Attend all Board meetings and prepare all materials as required. Utilize Easy Board and update as needed.
Programmatic:
Ensure the implementation and execution of the strategic plan established by the Board of Trustees, including two-year transition program, LIVE (Long-term independent vocational experience), and music excellence.
Oversee all day and evening programs for all participants and residents.
Ensure that all programs and services offered by Berkshire Hills Music Academy are operated in compliance with all applicable state – DDS and EOHHS, federal and/or or regional licensing standards and legal regulations, including maintaining SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor System).
Provide leadership in, and participate with, special needs, education, and music organizations and associations to build relationships, funding, and program opportunities.
Meet regularly with the Advisory Committee to monitor and maintain music excellence.
Work closely with department Vice Presidents to execute compliance and Ensure maintenance of all necessary records, including participants, human resources, financial.
Qualifications and Expectations
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required. (Master’s in Business, Special Education/Clinical, Human Services, or Music a plus.)
A minimum of ten year's administrative experience, ideally in human services or developmental disabilities or in a similar not for profit sector with a culture of working in teams to operate programs. Demonstrated experience in the oversight of human resources, finance/budgeting, and state/federal compliance/licensing.
Working knowledge of not-for-profit financial regulations, compliance and reporting, and funding sources.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, Board of Trustees, business leaders and the public.
Understanding and commitment to "strength based" programming for individuals with disability especially in the area of musical abilities.
High level of interest and passion for music and performing arts.
Skill and experience cultivating relationships for fundraising, program development community linkages with local colleges, and music education programs.
Other:
Passionate and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Documented track record of successful programmatic experience.
Knowledge of state and federal funding mechanisms.
Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
Strong supervisory and leadership skills with the ability to develop and communicate the organization’s mission and vision internally and externally.
Experience working with a Board of Trustees.
Proven ability to establish and maintain working relationships with government agencies, politicians, community leaders, and the general public.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficient with technology related to project management, employee management, financial management, donor management, and facilities management.
Applications & Nominations
Berkshire Hills Music Academy has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.
Making the world a better place is Shaké Sulikyan’s mission in life. She has decades of experience in the nonprofit sector including senior leadership roles in healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, and social services. Shaké loves connecting nonprofit organizations and exceptional professionals and is honored to support social impact organizations throughout the United States. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
BHMA – CEO – Job Description (PDF Download)
