Berkshire Hills Music Academy, Inc.

Berkshire Hills Music Academy is a music-infused post-secondary program that equips young adults with intellectual disabilities with the tools they need to successfully transition into adulthood right here in the Pioneer Valley. The young adults we serve have a variety of cognitive and physical impairments, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, visual impairment, gross and fine motor delays, and other development or intellectual disabilities.  

As we celebrated our 15th year, we welcomed our largest class ever - we have simply run out of room and need your help! We are embarking on our "Building the Future" Campaign to construct the Bernon Music Center, which will add 8,000 square feet of educational and vocational learning spaces. We hope you’ll consider strengthening our vocational and independent living programs while also providing a much-needed, larger performance space to welcome the community into our campus.

In our unique community, we help our students learn valuable life skills and have seen significant achievements in their abilities to: access and navigate the community, gain employment, cook, manage finances, shop, practice proper self-care/hygiene, interact confidently with peers, and participate in an array of social and recreational opportunities. We value community engagement! 

Our Performance Troupe has performed for over 135,000 people since 2004 promoting disability awareness and anti-bullying messages. Our students bring joy, knowledge, job skills, and musical talents to the Pioneer Valley and beyond. We routinely receive feedback that barriers are broken down and perceptions about people with disabilities have been changed. But, now we need the community to give back to our incredible students.