MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CATCH THE VIBES AS MAJOR JAZZ FESTIVAL BEGINS WITH TED DIPIETRO AT THE HELM

By Sarah Marques, DLE Communications Intern, Senior at Marist College

Longtime musician and DLE member Ted DiPietro loves creating music as much as he enjoys listening to it. He also enjoys producing big gigs like the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.

As the recently appointed production manager, Ted is tasked with supporting the 10-day music festival, which begins April 18. Ted has been on maximum drive, preparing for upcoming performances, jazz brunches, swing dances and even a jazz crawl at multiple venues around the city of Pittsfield (MA). Click here to see the impressive roster of concerts and musicians.

“A good production manager is someone who is there to prevent things from going wrong. You have to ensure everything is taken care of beforehand so that the show can take place when it’s supposed to,” notes Ted.

Since May 2023, he’s been responsible for the Berkshires Jazz production team. However, he’s equally comfortable on the stage, having performed as a guitarist since his teens–as a soloist as well as with many bands. He also co-hosts a weekly Open Mic Night show at Shire Brew House and often attends other open mic events throughout Berkshire County. The hands-on experience keeps Ted cool under the most trying circumstances.

He reflects on a recent event in February, during which his production management skills helped avoid a potential disaster. “As the Ten by Duke event performance by The Hot Club of New England at the Berkshire Museum was being prepared for the evening show, it was discovered that there was a problem with the piano setup. Specifically, the piano bench was broken, and the instrument was out of tune. A message was sent to the event organizers, who quickly acquired another bench. This allowed me to continue production tasks so the show could start on time.”

Apart from the music scene, Ted is a cybersecurity IT analyst for General Dynamics Mission Systems. For several years, he’s actively participated in DLE Meetups and other events that have helped expand his professional network.

“One thing the DLE is helping me with is stepping into leadership roles. I am determined to climb the career ladder to have a greater impact on decision-making. This is essential for me to achieve my goals and contribute to the company’s growth. I am ready to take on more critical thinking and conflict resolution responsibilities in my role instead of being purely hands-on.”