Needham Community Education

Walter Pavasaris graduated from the Hartt College of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. He then became a member of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, New York. After completing his tour of duty with the band, he earned a Master of Music in String Instruments from the University of Michigan (where he was a Teaching Fellow) and a Doctor of Education Degree from Boston University. His teaching career began in the Marshfield, MA Public Schools. Dr. Pavasaris then became the Director of Orchestras and string teacher for the Belmont Massachusetts Public Schools. During his tenure in Belmont the string program flourished both in the elementary and secondary schools. Under his baton, the Belmont High School and Chenery Middle School Orchestras consistently earned superior ratings at numerous state, regional and international music festivals. Additionally, the Belmont High School Orchestra was selected to perform at the All-Eastern MENC Conference in Boston in 1983. From 1990 to 2009 Walter was Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts for the Lexington, MA Public Schools. His primary responsibilities included advocating for the arts and creating and implementing curricula in the areas of music, visual arts, and drama. Under his leadership, the arts maintained an integral place within each student’s basic education. Walter continuously modeled his passion and belief that music is a lifelong endeavor that transcends gender, age, and ethnicity. For over four decades Dr. Pavasaris has positively impacted many music educators while serving as a faculty member at The Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory and Boston University. Whether teaching conducting, string pedagogy, instrumental methods, his students have experienced Walter’s enthusiasm and passion for the artistry of being a musician and educator. Walter continues to be an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor throughout New England. He has been a past faculty member of the SYMS, ASTA and Bay State summer camps. As a conductor, he has had the distinct privilege of conducting numerous festival orchestras throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In 1992 and from 1999-2001 Walter was the guest conductor of the United States Youth Ensemble String Orchestra during their European Tour. From 2003-2008 he was the associate conductor of the Metrowest Orchestra in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. During the 2004 and 2005 seasons he served as Music Director of the Nashoba, MA Youth Orchestras. For over thirty years Walter was the Music Director and conductor of the Arlington (MA) Philharmonic Orchestra. He has conducted the Gordon College Symphony Orchestra and the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 1992, Dr. Pavasaris was the recipient of the Paul Smith Memorial ‘Conductor of the Year Award’ presented by the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors’ Association. In 1996, the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association named Dr. Pavasaris as a recipient of the ‘Lowell Mason Award’ acknowledging his numerous contributions to music and music education. In 2007 he received the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association ‘Visionary Leadership Award’ for his outstanding contributions as a music administrator. In 2008 Dr. Pavasaris was the recipient of the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association ‘Distinguished Service Award’ in recognition of his exceptional support and outstanding accomplishments towards the advancement of music education in the schools of Massachusetts. Upon his retirement from Berklee College of Music in 2025 Dr. Pavasaris was appointed Professor Emeritus in Music Education for his significant and enduring contributions to his students and to the Berklee community.