Manchester Community Music School names new Executive Director
Piper Runnion-Bareford brings a deep commitment to excellence in music education and a love for learning that has made it possible to lead and build community in the organizations she has served throughout New England
MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Community Music School has announced the appointment of Piper Runnion-Bareford as Executive Director.
Runnion-Bareford brings a wealth of teaching and performance experience with her to the Music School. She earned a performance diploma from the Royal College of Music, London, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia. She has performed as principal harpist for the Baltimore Symphony, the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, the Nashua Chamber Orchestra, the New Hampshire Philharmonic, the Maine State Ballet Orchestra, the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic, the Brockton Symphony Orchestra, and joined the Philadelphia Orchestra as a section member for their recording of Mahler Symphony No. 6.
Runnion-Bareford has been teaching the harp since the age of 12, and served as faculty at MCMS as both harp teacher and as a Suzuki Piano Instructor from 2006-2014. She also taught at St. Paul’s School, Gordon College, and as a general music teacher at Strong’s Foundation Charter School.
“Piper brings a deep commitment to excellence in music education and a love for learning that has made it possible to lead and build community in the organizations she has served throughout New England,” said retiring MCMS Executive Director Judy Teehan. “She is a talented musician and teacher with a strong commitment to community. I have confidence that the mission and the community of the Music School are in good hands with her leadership. I look forward to witnessing the fruits of our work together in the coming years.”
