Berkshires’ Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS)
BAAMS Academy at Western Gateway Urban Heritage State Park, Building 6, Western Gateway Urban Heritage State Park, MA 01247
About
Berkshires’ Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) offers instrumental lessons, rhythmic training, ear training, piano, ensemble playing, world music, transcription, improvisation, music theory, and music composition. The program also includes a Recording Studio/Lab Band component where students work with recording-related activities.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
BAAMS describes its mission as helping musicians of any level or age treat musical expression as an extension of themselves, with the instrument or voice acting as an amplifier for what the player is hearing, thinking, and feeling. Young students at BAAMS learn to play one or more instruments and to create music as performers, improvisers, and composers, and students are taught by ability. Instruction uses music, art, and technology so students develop knowledge and skills as instrumentalists, composers, improvisers, and recording artists, and more experienced students are often invited to assist and support instruction of newer or less experienced students. BAAMS became a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and received its 501(c)(3) tax-free status as of April 2020, after hosting four Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Day Camps in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and it offers the Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Day Camp and Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Band Day Camp, including the 5th Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Band Day Camp held August 14–18, 2023. Regular after-school instruction resumed in person at the BAAMS academy location in the Fall of 2022.
The leadership team includes Founder, Executive Director, and Artistic Director Richard Boulger; Co-Director of Music, Saxophones/Woodwinds, Studio Lab Band Alex Foster; and Director of Development and Communications Jane Forrestal. Richard Boulger completed his BFA at The Hartt School of Music’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford and a Master’s degree at Rutgers University, studied trumpet and musical composition with numerous noted jazz and music educators, has produced numerous albums as a leader, and has recorded with several Grammy- and award-winning artists. Alex Foster is a tenor and alto saxophonist known for nearly three decades of performances with the “Saturday Night Live” House Band, is a musical director of the Mingus Big Band, has shared the stage with many world-class performers, has had work with the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, and the Mingus Big Band nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005, and teaches woodwinds and master-class workshops to students from middle school through college.
BAAMS is described as a nonprofit corporation and registered public charity. BAAMS works with sponsors including Avangrid, The William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Buro Happold, Clover Hill Farm, Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, Mass Cultural Council, Ruth E. Proud Charitable Trust, Stepping Stone Education Fund, Waubeeka Golf Links, Greylock Federal Credit Union, NBT Bank, Greylock Community Club, and The North Adams Elks’ Lodge 487, and BAAMS faculty have provided clinics and after-school music programs in local schools such as Reid Middle School Band and have had clinics at other schools.
Parent and educator comments describe individual experiences with BAAMS. One parent, Candice Constantine, called it a “life-changing week at camp” for her son. Another parent, Ian Bergeron, said their children had an “incredible time” and that “the progress they made was staggering.” Parent Tom Byrne thanked BAAMS for its efforts in bringing jazz education to the community. Aaron Dean, Superintendent of the Hoosac Valley School District, stated that as a student he dreamed of the chance to work with world-class musicians and that BAAMS provides that opportunity for its students. Brian Rabuse, Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator and Band Director at Wahconah Regional High School, described a clinic at his school as engaging and informative on performance and improvisation, noted that students attending BAAMS sessions and camps are impressed by how teachers model and coach skills to take their playing to the next level, and said the projects his students accomplish are “top notch.” Music educator Rob Tatten said that when Richard Boulger and Alex Foster worked with his Reid Middle School Band students, their professionalism and real-world playing experience were invaluable, and he stated that the BAAMS after-school music program will provide dedicated students the opportunity to achieve personal growth and that he looks forward to seeing its impact on the Berkshire County music scene.
Last updated January 25, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
BAAMS describes its mission as helping musicians of any level or age treat musical expression as an extension of themselves, with the instrument or voice acting as an amplifier for what the player is hearing, thinking, and feeling. Young students at BAAMS learn to play one or more instruments and to create music as performers, improvisers, and composers, and students are taught by ability. Instruction uses music, art, and technology so students develop knowledge and skills as instrumentalists, composers, improvisers, and recording artists, and more experienced students are often invited to assist and support instruction of newer or less experienced students. BAAMS became a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and received its 501(c)(3) tax-free status as of April 2020, after hosting four Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Day Camps in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and it offers the Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Day Camp and Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Band Day Camp, including the 5th Berkshires’ Summer Jazz Band Day Camp held August 14–18, 2023. Regular after-school instruction resumed in person at the BAAMS academy location in the Fall of 2022.
The leadership team includes Founder, Executive Director, and Artistic Director Richard Boulger; Co-Director of Music, Saxophones/Woodwinds, Studio Lab Band Alex Foster; and Director of Development and Communications Jane Forrestal. Richard Boulger completed his BFA at The Hartt School of Music’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford and a Master’s degree at Rutgers University, studied trumpet and musical composition with numerous noted jazz and music educators, has produced numerous albums as a leader, and has recorded with several Grammy- and award-winning artists. Alex Foster is a tenor and alto saxophonist known for nearly three decades of performances with the “Saturday Night Live” House Band, is a musical director of the Mingus Big Band, has shared the stage with many world-class performers, has had work with the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, and the Mingus Big Band nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005, and teaches woodwinds and master-class workshops to students from middle school through college.
BAAMS is described as a nonprofit corporation and registered public charity. BAAMS works with sponsors including Avangrid, The William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Buro Happold, Clover Hill Farm, Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, Mass Cultural Council, Ruth E. Proud Charitable Trust, Stepping Stone Education Fund, Waubeeka Golf Links, Greylock Federal Credit Union, NBT Bank, Greylock Community Club, and The North Adams Elks’ Lodge 487, and BAAMS faculty have provided clinics and after-school music programs in local schools such as Reid Middle School Band and have had clinics at other schools.
Parent and educator comments describe individual experiences with BAAMS. One parent, Candice Constantine, called it a “life-changing week at camp” for her son. Another parent, Ian Bergeron, said their children had an “incredible time” and that “the progress they made was staggering.” Parent Tom Byrne thanked BAAMS for its efforts in bringing jazz education to the community. Aaron Dean, Superintendent of the Hoosac Valley School District, stated that as a student he dreamed of the chance to work with world-class musicians and that BAAMS provides that opportunity for its students. Brian Rabuse, Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator and Band Director at Wahconah Regional High School, described a clinic at his school as engaging and informative on performance and improvisation, noted that students attending BAAMS sessions and camps are impressed by how teachers model and coach skills to take their playing to the next level, and said the projects his students accomplish are “top notch.” Music educator Rob Tatten said that when Richard Boulger and Alex Foster worked with his Reid Middle School Band students, their professionalism and real-world playing experience were invaluable, and he stated that the BAAMS after-school music program will provide dedicated students the opportunity to achieve personal growth and that he looks forward to seeing its impact on the Berkshire County music scene.
Last updated January 25, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.