RESUME

ADRIAN A. DURLESTER, M.T.S.

 

1260 Croton Loop #9B

Brooklyn, NY 11239

(347) 762-0223

 

Link to downloadable PDF version of this resume

Link to downloadable PDF long form resume listing more complete Judaic, musical, and theatrical credits

 

OBJECTIVE

Jewish Education/Lifelong Learning Director/Music Educator/Theatrical Generalist

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Decades of experience as a Jewish Music songleader, performer, educator
  • 18+ years in Jewish Education with10+ years as a Director of Education/Lifelong Learning
  • 17 years of successful management of performing arts facilities and theatrical productions
  • Experienced pianist, musician, musical director, choral director, songleader, and music educator with expertise in Jewish music, opera, musical theatre, G&S.
  • On the forefront of using technology, social media in Jewish Ed and the performing arts

 

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • 50 years as a pianist, with wide-ranging experience as a musical director, choir director, accompanist, conductor, songleader, and music educator.  (trained at Juilliard and Manhattan pre-college divisions)
  • Successfully administered educational programs for congregations and supplemental schools in small and large communities
  • Has taught and worked across the Jewish denominational spectrum, and at all age levels
  • Experience at Jewish summer camps and other informal educational settings
  • Wide-ranging technology skills – hardware, software, networking, social media
  • Performance facilities manager, production and stage manager, theatrical set/lighting/audio designer, technical director, producer

 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Eff. Aug 2011             A.J. Heschel School, New York, NY.

                                    Lower School Music Teacher

 

June-Aug 2011            92nd St. Y Camp Yomi Day Camp, New York, NY.

                                    Jewish Music Specialist

 

2001-present               Freelance Editor, Teacher, Tutor, Presenter, Consultant, Musician, Performer

 

Jan-April 2011            Society for the Advancement of Judaism, New York, NY
Substitute Religious School Music Specialist and Family Service Music Leader

 

June-August 2010       Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute Camp, Oconomowoc, WI.

                        Media Specialist (Same position also in summers of 1997 and 1998)

 

2008-2010                   Jewish Community of Amherst, Amherst, MA. (JRF affiliated)
Temporary Acting Religious School Principal (spring 2010)
Religious School Teacher, Bnai Mitzvah Tutor, Music Specialist                                             

2008-2009                   Congregation B’nai Israel, Northampton, MA. (USCJ affiliated)
Director of Youth & Family Education

 

2008-2009                   Beit Ahavah Congregation, Northampton, MA. (URJ affiliated)
Religious School Teacher

 

2003-2008                   Bethesda Jewish Congregation, Bethesda, MD. (unaffiliated)
Director of Education & Congregational Life. Also Music and Choir, IT support

 

2001-2003                   Beth El Hebrew Congregation, Alexandria, VA. (URJ affiliated)
Director of Education. Also music and choir, IT support

 

2002-2008                   Agudas Achim Congregation, Alexandria, VA (USCJ affiliated)
Instructor, Grades 8-10; Co-Director, Shir Tze’ir Teen Choir

1997-2007                   Torah Aura Productions, Los Angeles, CA.
Editor, C.Ha and Bim Bam

2000-2001                   Akiva School, Nashville, TN
Teacher of Judaics & Hebrew (Grades 1,2) Music (whole school)

 

1998-2001                   Congregation Micah, Brentwood, TN.
Director of Music, Religious School Teacher, Web Maven

 

1990-1998                   Temple Beth El, Fargo, ND. URJ affiliated

                                    Director of Education and Music, Web Maven

 

1988-1998                   Festival Concert Hall, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.
Production Manager

 

1981- 1988                  Beickman Performing Arts Center, Concord Community Schools, Elkhart, IN. Resident Stage Manager/Technical Director

 

EDUCATION

Master of Theological Studies, Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville, TN 2002

BFA, North Carolina School of the Arts(School of Design & Production) 1977

Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, NY 1973

Manhattan School of Music, Preparatory Division (1969-1973)

The Juilliard School, Pre-College Division (1960-1969)

 

OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Hava Nashira Jewish Songleading Workshop, OSRUI, Oconomowoc, WI (1992-present)

Instructor, Introduction to Judaism Course,Mid Atlantic Council of the URJ (2004-2005)

Hebrew Teacher, Grades 5 & 7, The Temple-Ohabai Sholom (URJ), Nashville, TN (1999-2000)

Staff Specialist, Gordon Jewish Community Center Camp Davis, Nashville, TN (1999-2001)

Judaics Instructor, 11th Grade, West End Synagogue (USCJ,) Nashville, TN (1999)

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Guild of Temple Musicians

National Association of Temple Educators

Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (1992-2009)

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (1974-1998)

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Member, Amherst Town Meeting (current)

Jewish Folk Arts Festival of Greater Washington Organizing Committee (2002-2006)

Co-producer, Washington, DC Jewish Community Israel@60 Celebration Concert (2008)  and

350 Years of Jewish Music in America Celebration Concert (2005)

Cultural Arts Committee, Gordon Jewish Community Center, Nashville, TN (1998-2001)

Panelist, Grants Program Selection Committee, North Dakota Council on the Arts (1995-1996)

Member, Internet Subcommittee, UAHC Communications Committee (1990-1997)

Technical advisor, State of North Dakota Centennial Kickoff Celebration (1988)

Technical assistant, Seventh International Special Olympics Summer Games (South Bend, IN 1987)

 

Link to downloadable PDF version of this resume

Link to downloadable PDF long form resume listing Judaic, musical, and theatrical credits

 

REFERENCES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST