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By Rama K. Ramaswamy
On August 1, the reins of the Dana Hall School of Music passed from former Executive Director Jennifer Gaul to Michelle Kiehl.
“In addition to her extensive background in business management, Michelle offers a strong commitment to the growth and advancement of students through music education,” said Robert G. Mather, Assistant Head of School at Dana Hall. “She has worked closely with Jennifer Gaul for two years, and her knowledge of both the operations and goals of the School of Music is deep. We are grateful to them both, as they have worked very closely with one another to ensure a seamless transition. Under Michelle's leadership, along with the exceptional work of our dedicated faculty, we are confident that the School of Music will continue to provide an excellent music education experience to our students and families.
“Jennifer Gaul leaves Dana Hall after seven years of strong leadership,” continued Mather. “Through her hard work and committed vision, Jennifer has helped to create the vibrant learning environment that students and families have come to expect at the School of Music. During Jennifer's tenure, the School of Music has grown significantly, and she has been pivotal in this trend. As she heads off to new adventures teaching overseas, she leaves with our gratitude, respect, and best wishes.”
Gaul performed in her last piano recital, held on the Dana Hall School campus, at the close of the academic year. “The recital went really well,” she said. “We had a little over 50 people there, so that was a surprise. Lot of friends, family, colleagues and people from the community.”
Gaul has accepted an adventurous new role in Dongguan, China as the Director of Performing Arts for a new international school affiliated with Tsinhua University. Her husband, Woody, will be the director of the new school's theatre department. Gaul played Schubert Impromptus Op. 90 #1, #2, #3 and a composition by her late husband Scott Sherwood, about which she said: “Beveridge Hall is such a gorgeous space and the piano is really beautiful, so I felt like I wanted the opportunity to play there before I left for China. And the most special part for me was that I got to play ‘Spring Must Come,’ which is one of my husband Scott Sherwood's pieces. He never recorded it and it’s so gorgeous. His collaborator, Bob Rodriguez, arranged the piece for solo piano so that I could play it. He did a beautiful job of it. There were two chords that just seemed so Scott. Bob told me he really felt Scott in them, and I did too.”
Friends, students and faculty members wished Jennifer and Woody Gaul well, gave her a “certificate of graduation,” and cheered repeatedly at the end of the recital.
The recital may be viewed at https://youtu.be/nMe1vi0ztug.
