Susan Bialek
bialek@dutchessday.org

Susan joined the DDS faculty in 1992. She is the music teacher for second through sixth and eighth grades. She administers the instrumental program, and facilitates students’ participation in a variety of music festivals including All County music festivals, NYSSMA solo evaluations and ACDA honor choirs. Susan directs the two upper school theater productions and leads both school choruses. She frequently accompanies students in their recitals. Susan teaches three activity periods including Cappella singing group, drumming ensemble and baking. Susan attended Vassar College where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in music and attended Manhattanville where she obtained her Master’s degree in music education. In 2001-2002 she took a professional development leave of absence to serve as the inaugural intern conductor with the Toronto Children’s Chorus.

In addition to DDS, Susan as worked in Webatuck Central Schools where she taught music to fourth through sixth grades and led choruses for fourth through eighth grades. At Marist College Susan taught Music Theory and Sight Reading and directed chapel choir. She is the co-founder and artistic director of the Cappella Festiva Treble Choir, a community based children’s choir based in Poughkeepsie. She also sings with the Cappella Festiva Adult Chamber Choir.

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Laurie Schoch

schoch@dutchessday.org
Laurie joined the DDS faculty in 1995. She teaches physical education for first through fourth, sixth and eighth grades, and coaches varsity volleyball and girls’ lacrosse. In addition, Laurie is an eighth grade homeroom teacher and an advisor. In the past she coached the school’s field hockey team and served as the athletic director.

Laurie attended SUNY Brockport where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and a teacher certification for K-12. She also was enrolled at East Stroudsburg University where she studied sports management and sports medicine.

Prior to coming to DDS, Laurie taught preschool through eighth grade physical education at St. George’s School in Poughkeepsie, and taught kindergarten through sixth grade physical education at St. Mary’s School in Poughkeepsie. She has coached Volleyball at Spackenkill High School and Van Wyck Jr. High School, and coached basketball at Van Wyck Jr. High.

Jean Cook
cook@dutchessday.org

Jean joined the DDS faculty in 1994. She is the director of technology/media specialist. She is yearbook advisor, runs the after school program and school store, teaches library skills to Kindergarten, first, second and fifth grades, fourth grade internet research skills, and serves as the eighth grade homeroom teacher and advisor. Jean attended Simmons College where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and Marist College where she obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology.

Prior to joining DDS, she co-owned a computer sales/services/training business where she taught computer classes for corporate and private clients. She also taught adult classes at Marist College, Dutchess Community College, and teacher classes at BOCES, and Hyde Park Adult Education.

Alison Howard Roland
macfarlane@dutchessday.org

Ali joined the DDS faculty in 1998. She is the art educator and set design coordinator.

She attended SUNY Purchase where she received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in sculpture, drawing and set design.

Prior to joining the DDS faculty, Alison taught at several private schools including The Chapin School, The Dalton School, Brunswick School, and The Wooster School. She coordinates the Young Emerging Artist’s of the Hudson Valley multi-school art show that is sponsored by DDS for all Dutchess County schools annually in April at The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park. She also organizes other art shows with the work of DDS students and other small public and private schools in NYC and Dutchess County during the school year.

Alison designed the Red Hook High School, Memorial Garden project, a student involved project created with the support of the SADD Chapter of Red Hook High School. This project was built by students, family members and teachers to help students deal with their grief by creating a beautiful garden that represents peace and tranquility for anyone to use and enjoy. The garden will continue to be an ongoing project that Alison will be actively a part of for many years to come and she will also continue to work on new fundraisers and projects with the SADD Chapter director.

Nigel Pink
pink@dutchessday.org

Nigel joined the DDS faculty in 2004. He is the athletic director, and he teaches physical and health education. In addition to his teaching duties, Nigel coaches varsity soccer, squash and tennis and facilitates the school’s ski/skate program.

Nigel attended Keele University, in England, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in education, and Madeley College of Education, in England where he received his certificate of education.

In addition to DDS, Nigel has worked as the assistant director at Northern Westchester Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, the manager at the Millbrook Training Center & Spa, a lecturer in Leisure & Tourism at Loughton College of Further Education, in England, and was the head of physical education at Buckhursthill County High School, also in England.

Gwendelyn Royce
royce@dutchessday.org

Gwendelyn joined the DDS faculty in 2010. She teaches elementary music classes.
Gwendelyn attended Cedarville University where she obtained a Bachelor's in Music Education, and Ithaca College where she obtained a Master's in Music Education, and Hofstra University where she obtained Level I and II Orff Certification.
Prior to coming to Dutchess Day Gwendelyn worked as a vocal/general/instrumental music teacher in the Cornwall Central School District and she currently works at Tabernacle Christian Academy as a vocal/general music teacher.