Who We Are - Faculty Biographies

Mary L. Baldwin
Director of Orchestras

Mary Baldwin is currently in her 24th year teaching in Bloomfield Hills Schools. Previously, she has taught Suzuki Violin with both the MSU Community Music School and Suzuki Royal Oak. Mrs. Baldwin has taught 4th-5th grade orchestra and Pre-K through 5th grade general music for eight years and has taught at South Hills Middle School 5-8th grade orchestra and general music since 2009. 8th grade orchestra and general music for four years in multiple BHS schools. Mrs. Baldwin continues to work with Suzuki Violin students at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp's Suzuki Family Camp, and as a clinician for various middle school and high school orchestras.

Mrs. Baldwin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a String Specialty from Michigan State University in 2001 and a Masters of Music Performance from Eastern Michigan University in 2009 studying violin performance with Dan Foster. Over many years as a performer, Mrs. Baldwin has played in the violin sections of Jackson Symphony, Macomb Symphony, Midland Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Rochester Symphony, Warren/Motor City Symphony, West Shore Symphony.

In her spare time, Mrs. Baldwin enjoys spending time with her two daughters, reading books from her extensive home library, and kayaking on the Huron River.

Kendra R. Peterson
Director of Bands

Kendra Peterson is currently in her 15th year teaching in Bloomfield Hills Schools and 20th year of teaching overall. Previously, she taught for a year in Morenci, Michigan and four years in Riverside, California, before moving back to work in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Ms. Peterson taught 4th and 5th grade band and general music for four years in multiple BHS schools. In 2014, she moved to South Hills Middle School to teach 5-8th grade band and general music. She also serves as the Assistant Marching Band Director for Bloomfield Hills High School. Ms. Peterson is a BHEA Building Representative and 5-12 Performing Arts Department Lead.

Ms. Peterson received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University in 2005 and a Masters of Music from the American Band College at Sam Houston State University in 2012. Her master's project "8 Weeks to a Better Beginning Percussionist" was published in Bandworld Magazine. Over many years as a performer, Ms. Peterson has played principal flute with the Moreno Valley Wind Symphony, Corona Community Band, Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra, WMU Symphonic Band, WMU Flute Choir and various high school musicals. Ms. Peterson currently serves as the Treasurer of the Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble and webmaster for the Ferndale Community Concert Band where she is an active member of the flute sections.

In her spare time, Ms. Peterson enjoys hiking and kayaking with her dog Sydney, volunteering with local dog rescues, reading, exploring Michigan and being outside.

Eve Pierre
Director of Choir and Theater

Eve Pierre is currently in her 25th year as a vocal music & drama teacher. The last 16 years have been as a general music, vocal music, and drama teacher throughout the middle schools in Bloomfield Hills School District. Mrs. Pierre is currently teaching at South Hills Middle School where she is also the head forensics coach. Before teaching in Bloomfield Hills, Mrs. Pierre taught high school choir, band, and general music in Cincinnati, Ohio for nine years.

Eve Pierre is a lifelong learner. She holds an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Wayne State University, Master of Music (Choral Conducting) from Miami University(Ohio) and vocal performance (opera) at Indiana University (Bloomington). Mrs. Pierre holds a double major in Music Education and Music Performance as an undergraduate from Bowling Green State University, where she was a Merit Scholar and Pro Musica Award recipient. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Boston University. Most recently, earning the Boston University Women’s Guild scholarship for her work with marginalized communities in music education settings. While teaching in the Bloomfield Hills Schools, Mrs. Pierre serves as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Arts workshop leader/site visit team member/Arts consultant, and serves on the Oakland County Fine Arts Council. Before her teaching career began, Mrs. Pierre sang professionally with the Rome Opera in Rome, Italy.

In her free time, Eve enjoys going to the opera, musical theater, traveling, and hiking with her husband, 3 children, and their Boston Terrier and Pug doggies.

Jay Schumacher
Drama & Musical Theatre Director

Mr. Jay Schumacher grew up in Elk Rapids, MI and still enjoys visiting his family up north. He has been teaching for over 15 years in Michigan and is beginning his 12th year in Bloomfield Hills. Prior to teaching in Bloomfield Hills, Mr. Schumacher taught choir and general music in Three Rivers (Young 5’s - 7th grade); and he was the general music teacher, and choir and band director for The Gagie School in Kalamazoo (K- 8th grade). Currently, Mr. Schumacher teaches 6/7/8th grade drama and musical theatre at South Hills. He also is the choir and drama director for North Hills, overseeing the programs for the talent show, forensics team (head coach), 8th grade play productions, 8th grade musical productions, and vocal music concerts. He has coached the boys and girls tennis team at North Hills for 5 years. Before NHMS and SHMS, Mr. Schumacher taught general music, choir, and drama/musical theatre at East Hills Middle School for 9 years. Over his career, he has directed, music directed, and choreographed more than 25 musical theatre productions, as well as directed more than a dozen play productions. Mr. Schumacher regularly accompanies students on the piano for solo and ensemble festivals (6-12th grade). Students and staff members regularly call him “Mr. Schu”. In addition to teaching, Mr. Schu is the Director of Music Ministries at Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian in Orchard Lake.

Mr. Schumacher has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University School of Music, where he was a piano major and sang in the top choirs. Since he was eight years old, he has been tap and jazz dancing. Being a “triple threat” performer, Mr. Schu was a member of a professional musical theater company, Miracle Productions, in Traverse City for 10 years. He had the lead role in Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale Jr.), as well as several leading roles in other productions. Past musical theatre credits include: Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Potiphar/Dan), Phantom (Count Philippe de Chandon), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson), Crazy for You (Lead Tap Dance Captain), and Curtains (Bobby Pepper). One of his favorite past roles was playing Lumiere in Bloomfield Players production of Beauty and the Beast. Mr. Schu enjoys collaborating with people of all ages and ability levels.