At the heart of NBSS are a diverse and dedicated team of staff, faculty, and strategic advisors. Together they provide a supportive environment for students to learn at the highest level, and they engage with a broad-based community of alumni and friends. In addition to the Staff and Faculty below, our community also includes dedicated Boards of Directors and Advisors.
Brock graduated from the School’s Preservation Carpentry program, and has worked on a variety of preservation and building projects throughout New England. He previously taught Continuing Education courses and served as an assistant in both the Carpentry and Preservation Carpentry programs.
Sophie is a Boston-based preservation carpenter and sculptor. After earning her B.A. in Studio Art & Design, she worked for a college art program in Italy before returning to the U.S. to work as a stonemason. Sophie completed the NBSS Preservation Carpentry program and has since collaborated with Owlsworth Conservation, MLB Restorations, and Matt Diana Housewright. In addition to her extensive fieldwork, she teaches a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education courses: Architectural Design/Build, Sculptural Architecture, Historic Timber Framing, Preservation Carpentry Intensive, 3D Art & Design, Woodcarving, and Sculpture.
After graduating from the Cabinet and Furniture Making program in 2007, Nicholas built high end cabinetry and architectural millwork in the Boston Metro area. Later, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving active duty for eight years. Following military discharge, he enrolled at the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, where he studied for three more years under the late Phil Lowe, an NBSS graduate and former Department Head. During his second year as a student, Nicholas began teaching various workshops at the Furniture Institute. Since then, he has taught woodworking classes across New England, for educators such as the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Lexington Arts Society, and Woodcraft of Woburn.
Rob O’Dwyer heads the admissions and financial aid team for the 9 career training programs at NBSS. Stewardship of the reputation of the school through recruitment, honoring the mission, and connecting individuals and organizations with training and scholarship are primary responsibilities. Identifying potential, working with faculty and other stakeholders, and witnessing transformation are the rewards in the work. Work in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as with military veterans has been especially rewarding. Rob has been at NBSS for 11 years, and the team has achieved record enrollments. Rob has a BA in History from SUNY Potsdam, and an MA in Teaching from Emmanuel College.
Steven is a graduate of our Preservation Carpentry program, teaches first-year students, and is head of the department. He worked for Historic New England for six years as a carpenter. During this time, he supervised NBSS students as summer interns. He earned a Historic New England President’s Award through his work with second-year NBSS students on the preservation of the Pierce House in Dorchester. He has also served as an instructor for Boston YouthBuild’s preservation carpentry component.
Steven has guided first-year students through restoration work on many historic properties in the Boston area, including the 1713 Old State House. In 2010, his class saved an 18th-century two-bay English barn from demolition in Hanover, MA.
Kristen has worked in the retail service industry for over 20 years. Prior to NBSS, she operated a high-end custom frame shop in Boston, where she managed design, merchandising, curation and fine art handling—working with clients of all kinds, including private collectors, artists, gallerists, and interior designers. In her four years with NBSS, she has supported our trade school students through retail, exhibitions, and public programming—most notably creating and serving as host ofIn the Making.
Kristen’s passion in life is making, whether it be painting, carving, home renovating, sewing, and crafting anything and everything with her hands. Originally from central Florida, Kristen performed in Boston and Cambridge as a young musician and grew an attachment to the history and architecture of an antique city—eventually moving to Boston to study cello performance at The Boston Conservatory.
Fun Fact
To the dismay of her friends and colleagues, Kristen is constantly talking about the divine southern delicacy known as the boiled peanut. She feels strongly that they’re really missing out.
Lance is a graduate of the program and a founding member of Boston’s Fort Point Cabinetmakers cooperative. He has designed and built custom furniture for over 40 years. He is also a large format photographer and a contributor to Fine Woodworking Magazine. Lance was named a 2016 Mentor in Design by Design New England Magazine.
Marlow (they/them) recently graduated from Smith College with a B.A. in Art: Architecture and Urbanism, and a minor in Landscape Studies. Marlow works at the front desk, greeting visitors and providing administrative support to staff, students, and faculty. Marlow’s background is centered in community work, food justice and sustainability, and administrative support. They are excited to bring aspects of all of those fields to their work at NBSS.
Fun Fact
Marlow is deeply passionate about walkable communities and public transit. Ask about their cat Webby!
Jamey is a 2006 graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture Making program where he is now the Department Head and an Instructor. Before becoming a custom furniture maker, Jamey was a general contractor. He currently manages a multi-tenant shop in West Concord, MA where he builds custom projects and musical instruments.
Colleen Walsh Powell joined the NBSS development team in 2019, excited to connect donors with the impact of their support in our students’ lives, and the preservation and appreciation of craft and trade traditions. With more than 15 years of development experience working at institutions including Boston University, The Winsor School, and Emerson College, Colleen has worked on transformative fundraising campaigns in a variety of capacities—from annual and major giving, to events and alumni relations.
Colleen has a BA in English and philosophy from Santa Clara University, and a MA in Arts Administration from Boston University. Californian by birth, but a New Englander by nature, Colleen lives in Pepperell, MA with her husband and twin sons, where they enjoy tending apple trees, cross country skiing, hiking, and gardening.
Fun Fact
In her 20s, Colleen got to travel the world as a song-and-dance gal on cruise ships.
Will studied piano technology for two years in an apprenticeship before completing the Basic Piano Technology program in 2019, and is an Instructor in the Basic Piano Technology program. He has worked with the Sing For Hope foundation—a music outreach organization in New York City—since 2016, as both an intern and supervisor. After graduating, he worked as a field technician doing in-home service with Onigman Piano Craft in New Jersey, and is now the owner of Roper Piano Service here in Boston. He is also the Northeast Regional Vice President of the Piano Technicians Guild and a PTG board member.
Barbara has been with NBSS since 2017, and is inspired by sharing the stories of our students and graduates through the School’s various communication channels. She has degrees in Mass Communication and Museum Education, and has worked for several informal education and nonprofit organizations. When not at her desk, you’ll find her around the School with camera in hand, documenting what our students and faculty make every day.
Fun Fact
Barbara enjoys baking and crocheting in her spare time.
Kolin is a furniture maker, teacher, and graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture Making program. He is an instructor in the Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive as well as several weekend Community Education classes. Before attending NBSS, Kolin received an architecture degree and practiced as a draftsperson and designer for both residential and commercial properties in rural Iowa. Kolin shares a furniture studio with two other North Bennet graduates in New Hampshire.
