Our Board of Directors
"The affairs of the Pineland Suzuki School shall be managed by its Board of Directors, which may exercise all powers of the corporation and do all lawful acts and things necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the corporation."
BY-LAWS of the Pineland Suzuki School (PSS), Initially adopted by the PSS Board, March 16, 2001. Major revisions adopted 9/26/22.
Our Board Structure
Pineland has a Board of Directors, whose responsibilities and rules are outlined as above in our Bylaws. At present we are limited to 7 voting Directors. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors. We also include as non-voting members all the Artistic Directors (including our Founding Directors and all Assistant Artistic Directors), whose biographical information is listed among our Teachers. In 2023 we added an Advisory Board, included on its own page.
Pineland Suzuki School Board Directors as of January 2026
Pineland Suzuki School Advisory Board
Advisory Board Job Description
Walter McKee
Profession(s): Walt is an attorney in Augusta. He owns his own firm, McKee Law. He has been practicing law for 30 years now, half in criminal defense and the other half in civil litigation. Relationship to PSS Walt’s daughters Anne and Kate McKee were PSS students starting when they were 4 years old. Paths to help PSS Walt would like to do what he can to take PSS to the next level. The program is wonderful and he would like to see it advance in size and someday have dedicated space for lessons and group classes. Some Fun things Walt is a long time runner and enjoys all things outdoors.
Barbara Moody
Profession(s): Barbara has a Ph.D. in Education and over 35 years of experience in the field of education in Maine. For 17 years she was a K-8 special education teacher in the public schools. She then founded and directed a private middle school for the arts, coordinated professional development funding at the Maine Department of Education, and chaired the School of Education at Husson University for 8 years. Barbara completed her full-time career serving as the Director of Child & Family Services at Midcoast Maine Community Action. Relationship with PSS: Barbara's youngest child was with the Pineland Suzuki School from age 3 - 18 and has a graduate degree in cello performance. He now teaches some students at PSS, plays in a number of orchestras, and teaches private students. Paths to help PSS:Barbara is so happy to give back to PSS after all of the wonderful years spent as a parent in the program. Some fun things:Barbara loves to go camping with her husband Stan, visit her grandchildren, and play the viola in a quartet and ensemble. She is also an avid reader. She and Stan are trying to walk 100 trails in Maine in her first year of retirement.
Melissa Small
Current Profession: After 20 years in education (as an administrator/teacher in K-8 education, a high school math teacher and running coach, and a community college instructor in the social sciences), I now serve as the Librarian for the Readfield Community Library in Readfield, ME, working to provide residents of all ages with quality materials and programming. My education includes a BA in Psychology (Colby College), and a MA in Education and a PhD in Educational Psychology, both from the University of Connecticut. Relationship to PSS: After attending a Gawler Family concert in 2001 with our oldest child (who was then 3) expressed interest in learning to play the violin. Lessons began for him in 2003, and 4 children and 18 years later, we are still involved with Pineland Suzuki School. Through the years I have volunteered in a variety of roles, including helping to coordinate the annual Benefit Concert and serving on the Board. How You Hope to Help: PSS has provided our four children with a solid music foundation and an appreciation for achieving big goals by breaking things down into smaller tasks. I enjoy serving the organization by offering the board my experience in pedagogy and in educational administration, as well as the perspective of a 4-time PSS parent. Some Fun Things I Like to Do: I enjoy organizing events, bringing the community together, and the challenge of assisting someone who asks “Can you help me…?” When not at the Library, I like to run, snowshoe, Nordic ski, watch my kids’ alpine ski races and soccer games, and read picture books to my young nieces and nephews on FaceTime or in person!
Barbara Moss
Barbara Ann Moss, DO, MPH, FACOCP, FAAO, Past Board Director and Chair. Profession(s) Barbara works as a teaching physician at the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and sees patients at the Family Medicine Institute. She is chair of the Spirituality and Medicine committee, runs the Community Medicine curriculum and continues to participate in the Osteopathic Education program after having directed it for 10 years. Relationship to PSS Barbara's sons Luke and Silas were both PSS students. Both have travelled to Japan for International Suzuki Events with PSS, and have gone to Cape Breton with the Pineland Fiddlers. Silas has participated in the Suzuki Association of the Americas orchestra. They have spent many a summer with the New England Suzuki Association. Suzuki has been a part of our family life for decades. Paths to Help PSS: As a Board Director and President of the Board of Directors, Barbara’s goal was to support the talent education of children in our central Maine community and thereby provide a valuable service of training the minds and hearts of the future. This is still the overarching goal! Barbara expects her medical experience and qualifications to be helpful to Pineland, including her focus on wellness. She will be the School's connection to the medical community for music and education. She is eager to provide fundraising advice arising from her involvement as President of the Board and participation in other Boards. Some Fun Things: Barbara lives off the grid with her husband of 30 years, Tom Bartol, in their solar, wind powered home. They play tennis, grow organic vegetables and herbs with the help of the honey bees. In all seasons, they are grateful for all the good gifts around us and aim to encourage peace, beauty and harmony.