Haydn Cole

Originally hailing from Malibu, CA, the 24-year-old musician moved with his family to Miami, Fla. as a child and began singing and writing songs in elementary school. In high school, he began playing guitar and found his voice singing to friends and family at his local church and school on a regular basis. Though Haydn entered university at Rollins College with an interest in medicine, he couldn't deny a growing preoccupation with playing music every free chance he had. Before long, trusting a gut-feeling and with peace in his heart, Haydn transferred to Berklee College of Music in the summer of 2005.  "I use music to relate and communicate to others my feelings about life and love," Haydn says of his own work.  Haydn’s goal is "to make great music for everyone." Haydn's EP "Back Home" is available on iTunes and he’s excited to share his talents with the Berkshire School community.  To view Haydn's website, click here.  During Pro Vita Week, Haydn is teaching a class called Songwriting: Practical Techniques for the Working Writer.

Rosemarie Palladino

Rosemarie Palladino, parent of current prefect and senior Lexi Palladino ’11, is an Interfaith minister, ordained through the New Seminary in New York, NY, and has spent many years as a practicing intuitive healer.  She is a Usui Reiki Master Teacher, a registered Karuna Reiki Master and she holds a graduate degree in Theology from Yale University Divinity School. She is a Teaching Fellow in Pastoral Counseling and Care at Yale and is “Sunday Speaker” at the Woodbury Yoga Center. Her journey includes a wide variety of pastoral care giving experiences with many diverse populations, joyful spiritual teaching, diverse ecumenical alliances, amazing mentors, spiritual teachers and creating sacred ceremonies and rituals. Romie also holds a Certificate of Applied Spirituality from Hartford Seminary Women's Leadership Institute. She is a member of the World Alliance for Interfaith Clergy, International Association for Reiki Professionals and Spiritual Directors International, as well as being on the Board of Directors of Cornerstone, an ecologically minded non-profit organization currently working on the Nambale School project. She received Shaktipat from Shri Anandi Ma in 1998 and has been a disciple since. Her talks are rooted in universal human experience while offering practical tools for spiritual freedom and joy. During Pro Vita Week, Rosemarie is leading a class called Mysticism and other Crazy Stuff.

David Soliday '70

David Soliday’s career has spanned several phases... bird photography, landscapes, golf courses, interiors for Sotheby's, corporate work, and a heavy dose of resort and hotel projects.  He grew up in Litchfield, Connecticut in the foothills of the Berkshires & earned a degree in Cultural Anthropology from Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts. While serving as an expedition mechanic for Land Rover, he began to seriously explore the art of photography.  It was during his travels that he developed a love for birds and landscapes, and consequently moved to SC to pursue photography and writing. A contributor to National Wildlife, National Geographic, GEO, and Smithsonian, David still writes and photographs stories when time permits.  He’s eager to share his passion for the commercial world of photography.  Click here to visit his website.  During Pro Vita Week, he is leading a class called Commercial Photography: Pro Vita Photo Shoot.

Kevin O'Halloran

Kevin O'Halloran was Assistant Manager at Westland Row Secondary School for over 40 years where he taught Business Studies, Accounting and Mathematics. He is also the Director of the James Joyce Society of Sarasota, Florida and is a Joycian Scholar and Irish historian extraordinaire. Kevin has led the Berkshire Bloomsday trip to Dublin since its inception, where his knowledge of Irish history, Dublin and Joyce is shared with our students. He is here this week to help introduce some of Joyce's writings, some Irish history and the itinerary for this year's upcoming trip. Kevin winters in Florida and returns to his native Ireland for the rest of the year where he spends many a day on the Irish links pursuing his other love, golf.  During Pro Vita Week, Kevin is leading a class called The World of James Joyce.

Michael Gutenplan '99

Michael Gutenplan, originally from New York and now living in Los Angeles, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in directing.  He has directed for As The World Turns, worked at MSNBC in their documentary department, was part of the development team at E! Entertainment, Evolution Media and is currently working with talent at The Collective – a management firm in Los Angeles.  He is also a professional magician!  During Pro Vita Week, he is leading two classes: Berkshire Prep: Reality TV and Hocus Pocus.