Profession(s): Judy is a violist, conductor, and musical leader. She moved to Maine in 2018  after a long and successful career in public music education in New Jersey and the Delaware Valley. She is also deeply interested in, and certified to instruct, the Alexander Technique, a method of easing movements that is helpful for all performers as well as many aspects of life.  Her website is judypagon.com.

Connection with PSS: Upon moving to Maine, Judy contacted a viola colleague to find out who might be interested in Alexander training. Betsy Kobayashi was among those who took lessons; and as Betsy became more aware of what Judy could do, she recruited Judy to lead the Allegro Orchestra. Judy conducted the Allegro Orchestra for 4 years and also coached PSS students in chamber music for two years. Judy has also led Book 1B-2 classes for the last two years. Although not formally trained in Suzuki, Judy's first mentor was a Suzuki teacher and Judy went to the Eastman School of music, a pioneer in introducing the Suzuki approach to the United States. The Suzuki method is familiar to her and compatible with her style and methods.

Paths to help PSS: When logistical and geographic issues dictated that Judy could no longer teach for PSS, she looked for another meaningful way to stay in touch with the school. Being a Board Director meets that goal, The contribution Judy aims to make is to keep our focus on our mission of joyous, fun music education. Although we have wonderful representation of teachers through our Artistic Directors, Judy would be the only Board Director who has no conflicts of interest and who is a professional musician. Her Alexander training and natural inclination also makes her an excellent listener who is fully present in her interactions.

Some fun things: Judy moved to her oceanside home in Maine for its beauty but also because of a deep devotion to the ocean, the outdoors and the joy of sailing that she shares with her husband Nick. She loves gardening, especially perennials, in her goat-patterned overalls. She recently joined a local chorus and took up the alto recorder. This is a new instrument for her, and she plays in a local ensemble.

Profession(s): Lori has 22 years of experience as a dual-certified Maine educator for grades 7-12 in Special Education and General Education English/Language Arts. She has been an English teacher at Gardiner Area High School for the past 15 years. 

Connection with PSS: Lori’s son, Henry, began his PSS journey in first grade after watching some of his classmates (PSS students) play their violins in a school concert. Henry received his first violin shortly after and never looked back. Henry continued with PSS until his recent graduation from high school. Lori looks forward to Henry’s next step in his stringed instrument journey as a violist in the Bowdoin College Orchestra. Lori is eternally grateful to Henry’s teacher, Betsy Kobayashi, for eleven joyful years of the Suzuki experience!

Paths to Help PSS: Lori agrees with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki that all children should have access to music education from a very young age. She plans to lean into her educator skills of collaboration, communication, and research to support current projects and to offer fresh perspectives.

Some Fun Things: Lori has another son, Tom, who recently earned a minor in music from UMFarmington. She feels blessed to enjoy violin/viola classics or jazz piano mini-concerts in her home every day. In her free time, Lori enjoys sewing her own apparel, reading, and making book art. She also loves to spend time in the woods: identifying flora/fauna, Nordic skiing, and hiking. She recently discovered Nordic ice skating and cannot wait for the waterways to freeze up again!

Profession(s): Gina has had a few careers: the most recent and relevant is that she and her husband co-founded a not-for-profit language school, “Let’s Talk Language School.” The school, based in Waterville, focused on helping students learn conversational foreign languages. It offered evening classes to adults, after-school programs, and ESL, which Gina also taught. When the time commitment became too much, they regretfully closed the school, but after 13 years the school is re-opening under new leadership, to Gina’s delight!

She has a degree in nursing and practiced community mental health earlier in her career.

Connection with PSS: Gina’s oldest daughter, Emily, began lessons with Ellen when PSS was started by Betsy and Ellen. Emily started in first grade, and (in 2026) is now 39 years old.  Gina’s other daughter, Mia, is also a PSS alumni. Both Emily and Mia took lessons with Ellen all through high school. Now the next generation is following in the family footsteps. Emily’s 7-year-old daughter, Alaina, is in her second year of violin lessons and will be a student of Ellen Gawler’s this fall. 

Paths to help PSS: Gina is happy to help with communications, especially writing. Gina wants to cheerlead this wonderful organization that she has known since its earliest two-person incarnation! Its excellence and longevity both impress Gina, and she wants to support the founders’ strength in establishing and maintaining this amazing organization.

She can also provide insights from running her own school and being a parent (and now grandparent!) of PSS students.  Gina would also like to help with connections to local organizations such as Elm City Community Music School, where she met Matt through the Acoustic Jam sessions.

Some fun things: Tennis, guitar, Nordic skiing, and traveling to Spain (2 months in the fall and spring), where she and her husband enjoy criss-crossing the country on bicycles. She enjoys hearing her daughter and granddaughter playing the violín together, and occasionally accompanies them on guitar.