Your Music Community

💌 From one of our students, Alanah:
"Dear DSM, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to have music lessons. When my mom was sick in the hospital, she had to retire. Due to your kindness, I now have voice and piano lessons — something I always wanted. I can sing and learn piano because of you!” 🎶

Alanah’s words capture exactly what your generosity makes possible. Every dollar helps another student discover confidence, joy, and healing through music.

💛 Support our Annual Appeal and keep the music playing for students like Alanah: [dedhamschoolofmusic.org/donate]

#DedhamSchoolOfMusic #GiveTheGiftOfMusic #AnnualAppeal #DedhamCommunity #MusicChangesLives

BREAKING NEWS:
Dedham School of Music has received a $9000 Arts and Culture General Operating Grant from Community Foundation Metrowest.

About Community Foundation for MetroWest:

The Community Foundation for MetroWest is a community foundation that improves the quality of life in 30+ MetroWest communities. Since 1995, the Foundation has been providing financial and educational resources to local nonprofit organizations, sharing essential data about the region to inform decisions, and partnering with donors to help guide and align their giving with the areas of greatest need in the community The Foundation is supported by a range of businesses, individuals, and other philanthropic organizations. Currently the Foundation stewards more than $25 million in charitable assets for immediate needs and future impact.

💙🌍 It’s Giving Tuesday - a global day to give back and do good!

Support Dedham School of Music and artisans worldwide by shopping our Holiday Fair Trade Fundraiser.

Shop here: https://fairtradecaravans.com/shop-for-your-cause/

Locate and click on the Dedham School of Music fundraiser to place an order through our event page.

(or add link in bio!)

Every purchase gives 25% to go towards financial aid and live music performances in our community and supports fair, ethical production globally. Thank you for giving with purpose!

#GivingTuesday #FairTrade #ShopForGood #SupportEducation #DoGoodFeelGood

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Walter Yee! He is dedicated to exploring the musical landscapes of contemporary music of the 20th and 21st centuries. He received degrees from the University of Louisville (BM Performance) and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee (MM Contemporary Classical Music Performance).

Quickly establishing himself as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, and administrator, Walter has had the greatest pleasure to collaborate with amazing groups around the area. As a chamber musician Walter has had the pleasure of joining the Boston-based bass clarinet ensemble “Improbable Beasts,” as well as collaborating with the Boston Cohort of the New Music Collage, and Der Gestank, organizations dedicated to supporting the creation and performance of new music as well as promoting underrepresented, emerging artists. Walter has also played with the Brookline Symphony Orchestra and Horizon Ensemble.

Walter has experience teaching students of all ages in woodwinds including clarinet, flute, and saxophone, as well as piano.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT!

🎶 Meet Katie Jillson – Voice and piano teacher, performer, and mentor!

Katie brings over two decades of performance experience to her teaching, helping singers of all ages and genres discover their authentic voice, musicality, and self-expression. Her students have thrived in auditions, competitions, solo performances, and intensive vocal programs.

As a versatile performer, Katie has delighted audiences in works like Handel’s Messiah, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Poulenc’s Stabat Mater, Schubert’s Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, and Mozart’s Requiem. She has sung with Masterworks Chorale, Boston Cecilia, Zensemble, and more, and is a frequent soloist at Saint Columbkille Parish and St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Massachusetts.

Katie earned her BM in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory and is completing her MM at Longy School of Music. Passionate about lifelong learning, she has trained in vocal pedagogy, Orff Schulwerk, and opera performance.

"✨ ‘My two high school age sons have been taking music lessons at DSM since grade school and it has been great! They’ve progressed nicely and learned a lot from their lessons, with the perfect combination of being challenging and fun. They really like their teachers, look forward to weekly lessons, and the performance opportunities help enhance all that they learn. It may be one of the smaller music schools in the area, but I consider myself lucky to have a music school with such top-notch teachers so close by.’

Thank you, Joel Wolfe, for sharing your family’s experience! 💜
At DSM, we’re so proud to support students at every age and stage — helping them grow through music, community, and connection.

#DedhamMusic #CommunityVoices #MusicForAll #CommunityThroughMusic #DedhamCommunity"

Give the Gift of Learning this Holiday Season!! Faculty SPOTLIGHT -

🎷 Meet Dr. Megan Dillon – Boston-based saxophonist, woodwind doubler, and educator! Known for her expressive playing and dynamic performances, Megan teaches saxophone at Keene State College and is on the woodwind faculty at Brimmer and May School and Dedham School of Music. She also manages a thriving private studio and has served as the woodwind teaching fellow for the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s Crescendo program.

An active performer across the Northeast, Megan has played at Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, and Alice Tully Hall, and is passionate about expanding the saxophone repertoire through commissions and premieres. Her chamber works are published by RC Editions, and she was co-winner of the 2023 Boston Woodwind Society Saxophone Merit Award.

🏆 Doctorate in Saxophone Performance from New England Conservatory | Member of North American Saxophone Alliance | Dedicated educator and performer