Tunes: Academy has 20 students enrolled

Berkshire Hills Music Academy serves students with learning or developmental disabilities who have an aptitude for music.

02/13/2003

By NATALIA E. ARBULÚ
Staff writer, Springfield Union-News

Libera, a student at the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, delighted his young audience again later by playing "A Whole New World" from the movie Aladdin.

Libera, 22, was one of five academy students who visited the school last Wednesday and performed popular children's songs.

The academy is a two-year, post secondary school for students with learning or developmental disabilities who have a high aptitude for music, according to Berkshire Hills director of public affairs and John Libera's mother, Sharon E. Libera.

Libera said the students tailor the song list to the audience.

"Our students do classical, pop, rhythm and blues. Some also write original music. They do everything," Sharon Libera said.

Other Berkshire Hills students who performed were Sujeet S. Desai, 21, of Syracuse, N.Y.; Lisa Walsh, 24, of Montreal; Victoria Ackley, 20, of Southborough; and Aaron Antolewicz, 23, of Atkinson, N.H.

John Libera ended his performance and introduced himself to the audience.

"I grew up in this town," he said. "Spring is my favorite season and purple is my favorite color."

First-grade reading specialist Kathleen Beresky was Libera's first-grade teacher at West Street and marveled at his talent.

"I'm just amazed. He is still as handsome as he always was," Beresky said.

Performance coordinator Matthew S. Meers introduced the performers to pupils.

"Our school is really cool," he said.

Ackey sang "You Are My Sunshine" while she played the piano.

She told pupils that she loves to go to the mall and her favorite pop music group is N'Sync.

"I'm so glad I got to come today because I love to perform for people," Ackey said.

Twenty students are enrolled at the academy.

Dean of Studies Greg A. Williams said the students perform throughout the area every Wednesday and take requests for performances on other days.

Granby district health coordinator Nancy C. Brooks said this was the first time she watched Berkshire Hills students perform.

Natalia E. Arbulú can be reached at narbulu@union-news.com