Final Cadence: Fall 2021 Remembering those who have left our community.
September 23, 2021
Marianne Harkless Diabate
Marianne Harkless Diabate, of Milton, MA, died May 12 from complications from treatment for lymphoma. She was 63. An assistant professor at the Conservatory since 2015, Diabate performed and taught dance for more than 35 years. She leaves her husband, Sory Diabate; daughter, Ghana Milton; father, James Harkless; sisters and brothers; and cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Cary Harkless.
Student Antone Chauvy of Lile Rousse, France, died May 15 in Ibiza, Spain. He was 20. A performance major, Chauvy's Berklee experience started in Boston in spring 2020 and took him to the Valencia campus during the pandemic. He leaves his mother, Marie-No lle Acquaviva, and father, Jocelyn Chauvy; siblings; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Ralph Peterson
Ralph Peterson of North Dartmouth, MA, died March 1 from complications from a long battle with cancer. He was 58. A professor in the Percussion Department, Peterson began working at Berklee in 2003, and was viewed as a powerful steward of the acoustic hard bop tradition and a jazz missionary with a palpable desire to move jazz music forward. He leaves his wife, Linea; daughter, Sonora Slocum; stepdaughters, Saydee and Haylee McQuay; and spiritual daughter, Jazz Robertson.
Annie Baehr of Cambridge, MA, died July 18. She was 80. From 1990 to 2010, Baehr worked as an assistant to Senior Vice President Dave Hornfischer, now retired. Annie was such a joy to work with for over 20 years. She was the face of our busy business-focused office, always kind and helpful to all in so many in often complicated situations, Hornfischer said. Baehr leaves her husband, Joel, and daughters, Rebecca and Amy.
Jim Stinnett, a longtime Berklee faculty member, died February 7 after suffering a heart attack. From 1986 to 2016, Stinnett was in the Contemporary Writing and Production Department, taught arranging classes, and held bass private lessons. His list of publications includes The Music of Paul Chambers, Arcology, Creating Jazz Bass Lines, All Cows Eat Grass, Reading in Bass Clef, Slap Bass Workout, and 12 Keys to Success. He leaves his wife, Jamie; and children, Jessie Jeanne, Grant, and Sarah Anne.
Mario Alcides Cruz Leiton of East Boston, MA, died February 27 from complications due to COVID-19. He was 63. Cruz was a member of the Acme Services team that keeps Berklee's campus clean and sanitized.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Jean Kunkel B.M. '78, of Boulder, CO, died March 15 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 67. Kunkel studied jazz piano at Berklee and went on to become a professor, working at Troy University and Southern Illinois University. She leaves her husband, David Krawitz; stepchildren, Jared and Noah; and many other relatives. Her parents, Walter and Barbara, died before her, as did her siblings, Barbie and Roger, and late husband, William Ullery.
Martha Jane (Marty) Simons '86 of Cape Coral, FL, died in December 2017 after a long fight with cancer. She was a founding member, director, and instructor at Cape Coral Academy of Music.
Thomas Mitchell Anderson
Thomas Mitchell Anderson B.M. '10, of New Hartford, CT, died January 21. He was 37. An electronic production and design major, he created and produced his own house music. His music was innovative and reflected his innate boldness and sense of adventure. He leaves his parents, Hugh and Marcia (Chamberlain) Anderson; brothers, Michael and Jeffrey; nephew; grandmother; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Nicole Hurst B.M. '03, of Houston, TX, died August 4. She was 38. At Berklee, Hurst was a member of the Overjoyed gospel ensemble and was featured in the annual Singers Showcase. After college, she worked as a background vocalist for various artists, including Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Janet Jackson, Charlie Puth B.M. '13, and others. She performed at the Grammy Awards, the Oscars, Super Bowl LII, and the White House, and appeared on many national television shows. She leaves her parents, Thurman (Joe) and Pamela Hurst; grandfather, Thurman; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Joseph Arpino
Joseph Arpino '86 of Westwood, MA, died March 29 after a battle with cancer. He was 56. A guitarist, Arpino played in various bands and worked in information technology. He leaves his wife, SallyAnn LeBlanc; brothers, Anthony and Paul; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents were Giuseppe and Assunta (Valente) Arpino.
Michael Hayden Bingham '81, of Toms River, NJ, died June 27 after a brief illness. He was 69. Bingham founded a piano tuning and technology business, the Piano Doctor, and was known for his local guitar performances. He leaves his father, Hayden; children, Glen (Jaime Strollo), Daniel, and Genevieve; granddaughter, Ruby Marie; sisters, Mary and Diane; and nieces and a nephew. His mother, Betty, died before him.
Baron L. Browne
Baron L. Browne of Randolph, MA, died September 2 after a long battle with cancer. He was 61. As a student at Berklee, he honed his skills and later became a renowned electric bassist, touring with Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, the Buddy Rich Big Band, Andrea Bocelli, and others. For the last 24 years he has played with Vital Information. Browne leaves his wife, Gail McArthur-Browne; parents, Donald Browne and his wife, Carolyn, and Beverly Maddox and her husband, James; siblings, Daun and Brandon; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Donald A. Brown Jr. '80 of Kingston, MA, died July 31. He was 63. A lifelong musician, he played the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, guitar, and flute. He leaves his wife, Michelle A. (Matatall) Brown; son, Jason; and mother, Barbara (Furtado) Brown Bosari, and her husband, Paul; sibl
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Final Cadence: Fall 2021 Remembering those who have left our community.
