Leadership

For over 70 years Encore/Coda has been operated by music teachers who love to share their craft and inspire young musicians.  Visit our Camp History page to learn more about the history of Encore/Coda.

Cara Bergantino
Owner/Director

(VIOLA, STRINGS) – Master of Science in Arts Administration, Boston University, Boston, MA; Bachelor of Music in Music Education, New York University, NYC; studies with Bonnie Black, Karen Ritscher, Stephanie Baer; performances with Brookline Symphony Orchestra, One World Symphony, Jackson Heights Orchestra, NYU Symphony Orchestra; instrumental music teacher, Newton Public Schools, orchestra director, Newton All City Orchestra, former music teacher, Belmont Public Schools (Belmont, MA), Mark Twain I.S. 239 for the Gifted and Talented; member, National Association for Music Education, Newton Teachers Association; viola, strings, band; 19th summer at E/C.

Andrew Neyer
Director

Master in the Arts of Teaching Secondary Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, OH; performances with Top Deck A Cappella Group of Celebrity Cruise Lines, mixed choral and cruise line vocal ensembles; math instructor, mathematics department chair, golf coach, The Webb Schools (Claremont, CA), former mathematics department chair, math instructor, and Lowe Hall dorm head, Cushing Academy (Ashburnham, MA); member, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; voice, piano; 13th summer at E/C.​

Nathan Hubbard
Director of Music

(OBOE) – Doctor of Musical Arts in Oboe Performance, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI; Master of Music in Oboe Performance, Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI; Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance, Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, Berea, OH; studied with Jan Eberle, Jeffrey Rathbun; performances with Dearborn Symphony Orchestra (Dearborn, MI); private oboe studio, advanced piano and oboe instructor, South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy (South Pasadena, CA), adjunct music faculty, Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, CA), piano proficiency TA, Michigan State University; member, International Double Reed Society, Music Teacher’s Association of California, College Music Society; 7th summer at E/C.

CECI CIPULLO
Head Counselor

(Lower Camp Musical Theater) – Senior, Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst; performing member, Mission:IMPROVable Short Form Improv Troupe, UMass Comedy League; creating an Honors Thesis project in comedy television and screenwriting; performances and training with Wheelock Family Theater (Boston, MA), Harwich Junior Theater (Cape Cod, MA), UMass Theater Guild (UMass Amherst); member, Actors Equity Association; voice, theater; 12th summer at E/C.

EUSTAQUIO DONES
Head Counselor

(WIND ENSEMBLE, SYMPHONIC WINDS) – Candidate, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, University of Maine, Orono, ME; Bachelor of Music Education, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; K-5 General Music teacher, Band and Chorus director, North Berwick Elementary School (North Berwick, ME); member, National Association for Music Education, Maine Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi; trombone, euphonium; 4th summer at E/C.

MAYA MILIC-STRKALJ
Head Counselor

Bachelor of the Arts in Philosophy and German, Wheaton College, Norton, MA; Masters of Social Work, Boston University; Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts; clinical focuses include working with LGBQ/T community, social justice in clinical practice, and family therapy; current member, steering committee of Boston Liberation Health; 2nd summer at E/C.

Jamie Saltman and Ellen Donohue-Saltman
Directors Emeritus

JAMIE- (JAZZ PIANO, CONDUCTING) – Master of Music in Conducting, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA; Bachelor of Music in Music Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA; studies with Frank Battisti, Walter Chesnut, Nigel Coxe; performances with UMASS Large Ensembles, MA Youth Wind Ensembles, NEC Wind Ensembles, Encore/Coda Ensembles; staff pianist and musical director of jazz services, Temple Beth Avodah (Newton, MA); freelance musician and jazz piano teacher, greater Boston area; member, Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Maine Summer Camps; 64th summer at E/C.

ELLEN- (HORN) – Artist Diploma in Chamber Music, Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA; Master of Music in Horn Performance, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA; Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA; member, Ariel Wind Quintet; Grassmere Trio, current horn instructor, Lexington & Weston public schools (MA); performances on WGBH, Boston; member, Maine Youth Camping Association; 41st summer at E/C.​