March 11, 2022

Ashley Duplessis appointed music director for St. Michael’s Cathedral

REGIONAL
By Rebecca Drake

(iObserve photo/courtesy of Mary Jeanne Tash)

SPRINGFIELD – Ashley Duplessis has been appointed director of music at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, filling the position previously held by Lad Pfeifer, who retired in June 2021.

Duplessis holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Connecticut and a master of arts in music from Pennsylvania State University. After completing her master’s degree in 2007, she relocated to Massachusetts and completed additional coursework in music theory at the University of Massachusetts.

She has taught music at St. Michael’s Academy in Springfield since 2014. She and her husband, David, have been married for 11 years and have two children: Mira, 9, and Aaron, 5. Both children attend St. Michael’s Academy.

Duplessis has served in the music ministry at St. Michael’s Cathedral since 2015, beginning as assistant for the boys’ choir and alto section leader. She had been serving as interim director since last June.

“I was excited to find out I’d been appointed director,” she said in an interview with iObserve. “I had not initially applied for the position. While I have been a choral director and pianist for many years, I hadn’t played organ more than a handful of times before last June. After many months of uncertainty, and much prayerful consideration, I decided to apply for the position.”

Asked what her goals are in accepting the new position, Duplessis said, “As director of music, I will strive to provide stability and grow the program. I would love to add new members to the choir, and hope to incorporate handbells and other instruments in the near future.

“I am looking forward to summer, when I’m not teaching, and can devote more of my time to planning for the next season and practicing,” she said.

She noted that the cathedral choir is always looking for new members.

“Currently, we have two openings for paid positions: soprano section leader and alto section leader,” she said. “Adult volunteers, high school age and up, and boys entering grades three through eight in the fall of 2022 are also welcome to contact me with questions and/or set up an audition.”

Section leaders sing most Sundays at 10 from September to June and the choir generally joins them twice a month. Duplessis can be contacted at 413.452.0839 or a.duplessis@diospringfield.org.