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, now in it’s third year. She also sings with the Cappella Festiva Adult Chamber Choir.

Susan attended the Hyde Park School system where she was a member of the band, the chorus, the women’s choir and the clarinet choir, and is ever so grateful for the extensive musical opportunities afforded to her. Outside of school Susan studied the piano. She resides in Hyde Park with Mr. Bialek and their very loyal and wise 15 year old cat, George.

Alison Macfarlane
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.

Nigel grew up in a small town called Epping which is situated just northeast of the City of London, England. He and his wife, Janet, have two children, Rebecca and Charlotte. They emigrated to the United States in 1997 and live in Millbrook. The family has a dog named Oliver and a cat called Sullivan. In addition to his DDS duties, Nigel is also a personal fitness trainer and runs a small soccer coaching business.