Jean Duperre
Chicopee, MA
Jean Duperre was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was exposed to music at a very early age: listening to her favorite tunes on her record player, singing with her family in the car, sitting on the piano bench and listening while her sister played her classical music on the piano and singing in church. Her mother noticed her interest in music and signed her up to take voice and piano lessons at the Springfield Conservatory of Music.
She began performing in front of her classmates in grammar school, solos in church, and at weddings, as well as in high school where she was selected to take part in Western District and All State Chorus. Jean auditioned and began singing with the Springfield Symphony Chorus in the eleventh grade and was selected to sing with America’s Youth in Concert, touring Europe and singing with 150 students from all over the country. In college Jean majored in music education which led her to the job she enjoys most, teaching music to elementary children. Jean has enjoyed being a music teacher for the past thirty years.
Recently, Ms. Duperre was awarded the prestigious "Excellence in Teaching Award" for the Pioneer Valley Teacher of Excellence. The Distinguished Teacher Award Program was established by the Grinspoon Foundation to honor exceptional teachers with extraordinary talents. These unique individuals touch the lives and minds of today's student with a spark that fans the embers of learning and illuminates the pathway to the future. The Teacher Awards Program acknowledges and applauds talented educators who have demonstrated their deep commitment to their students and to our schools.