Our Mission
We are a nonprofit music school community dedicated to providing a joyous and accessible musical experience to people of all ages, means, and abilities through learning, playing, performing, and listening to music.
We are proud to say that Dedham School of Music has provided a music experience to all regardless of ability to pay. In addition to offering financial aid, we also participate in the Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture Program, which provides discounts for eligible families to enroll in lessons, classes, ensembles, and purchase event tickets.
Our Annual Report highlights the incredible impact of the Dedham School of Music throughout the past year, showcasing our programs, student achievements, and community engagement.
We could not have achieved this over the past 17 years without our generous donors. Thank you for your ongoing support of this small non-profit with a big mission. In 2025, we aim to expand music lessons, classes, and performance opportunities for both adults and children. Together, we can achieve these goals.
Our History
Established in 2008 with just eight students, we had a clear objective: to hire outstanding teachers and provide access to affordable, high-quality music instruction, performance, and creation for students of all ages, abilities, and financial circumstances.
Now in our 18th year, we’re serving close to 200 students in private lessons, classes, and ensembles. Our students thrive in a learning environment that prioritizes individualized, accommodating teaching approaches that cater to all types of learners and musicians.
Music lovers of all ages can enjoy the thrill of making music, build self-confidence, and appreciate that they are capable of mastering skills with practice. We provide a safe exploratory space for free musical expression.
Our Staff
Our team is dedicated to providing an enriching and supportive musical experience for every student.
Jody Pongratz
Executive Director
When Jody read this description: “Dedham School of Music is more than just a music school; it is a hub where people of all ages and abilities come together to discover and experience the joy of diversity, creative expression, and, above all, community” she knew she found a special place and wanted to be a part of it. Now in her fifth year as Executive Director, Jody continues her passion of instilling the love of the arts in students of all ages at Dedham School of Music.
Jody grew up in a musical family and began piano lessons with her mother at age 5. Jody has sung with the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, Back Bay Chorale, John Oliver Chorale, Heritage Chorale as well as other small ensembles. She has performed all over the world from Malaysia, throughout the Mediterranean, and at venues like The United Nations in New York and Symphony Hall in Boston.
As a collaborative pianist, Jody has performed with many choral and theatrical groups in Metropolitan Boston, and has accompanied vocal and instrumental students and professionals. She served as the Director of Music Ministry for many years in Wayland and provided music for religious services of various faiths in the area. Jody has taught piano for over 25 years to children and adults and has worked as a freelance musician most of her life.
Jody received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Relations, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard University where she also studied music and choral conducting. She has a Masters in Education, with a focus on students with special needs, from Boston University.
Since 2021 Jody has brought her non-profit management experience (Wayland Cultural Council, Wayland’s Creative Arts Parents Association, and Weston Drama Workshop) to her Executive Director role. She helped create the Choral Fund at Harvard as a board member of the Harvard Radcliffe Collegium Musicum Foundation. She also remains active with AFSUSA, an international program that empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.
You can reach Jody at jpongratz@dedhamschoolofmusic.org
Laurie Bloom
Administrative Assistant
Laurie’s career in academic and non-profit administration spans more than 30 years. Coming from a family of educators, artists, and musicians, altruism and creativity were valued and ingrained.
Laurie started her career in academia while earning her Master’s in Education, focusing on student personnel administration and counseling. She worked at the University of Delaware’s Center for Counseling, the Access Center for Returning Adults, The Law School of Widener University, and New England School of Law.
Other life changing work experiences have included working with the AIDS Action Committee, the Justice Resource Institute, SPAN Inc., and Harvard School of Public Health’s Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research. A long-time fan of choral music, Laurie is a past member of Dedham’s own Dedham Choral Society under director Jonathan Barnhart; her favorite work she performed with DCS is Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein. One day she hopes to return and perform Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, another favorite.
Laurie lives in Quincy, MA. with her husband David and their wonderful black tripod cat, Sardini. Between them they have four adult children and three grandchildren, all living on the East Coast: in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.
Laurie is very happy to be part of the Dedham School of Music administrative team!
You can reach Laurie at lbloom@dedhamschoolofmusic.org
Board of Directors
The Dedham School of Music is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors who is committed to our mission and the vibrant future of our music community.
Executive Officers
- Fred Wofford, President
- Sam Gilman, Vice President
- John Monahan, Vice President
- Brenden Smith, Clerk
- Marcy Merrill, Treasurer
Board Members
- Michael Butler
- Deepak Kapoor
- Heather Kirby
- Sally Lee
- Jody Pongratz (ex-officio)
- Jessica Reece
- Lisa Seibert
- Chris Steward
- Diane Wilcox
Our Partners
Feeling Inspired?
Whether you’re picking up a musical instrument for the first time, rediscovering a long-lost passion, or simply wanting to enjoy live music, Dedham School of Music is your music community center to explore, create, and be inspired.