Ashley F. Nelson-Oneschuk - Medway High School, Medway, MA
Ashley F. Nelson-Oneschuk has been a dedicated music educator in Massachusetts for over 20 years. She currently serves as the choir director at Medway High School and as the artistic director of the Charles River Chorale, a joyful community choir of over 100 members. Ashley earned her master’s degree in music education from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and previously held choral positions at Hopkinton Middle School, Norwood High School, and King Philip Regional High School, where her choral groups consistently met high expectations.
Ashley served as Choral Festival Chairperson of the MICCA board from 2004-2015, allowing her to cultivate relationships across the state and absorb many moments of mentorship from board members. In addition to this, she served as an officer for MA ACDA, managed MMEA All-State choirs, and truly loves lending her expertise in clinics and mentorship programs. She conducted the 2017 CDMMEA Senior Festival Choir, and will conduct the 2026 RI All-State Junior Treble Choir.
Ashley is also a composer and arranger of choral music, where several of her works under Santa Barbara Music Publishing are listed as recommended repertoire for state festivals. She resides in Holliston with her husband, Joe, and their daughters, Cadence and Skylar.
John Fouracre - Freeman-Kennedy Elementary School, Norfolk, MA
John Fouracre grew up in Northborough, Massachusetts and attended the Northborough Public Schools and Algonquin Regional High School. During this time, he was inspired by both his junior and senior high school band directors, Gerald Dolan, and Dennis Wrenn, to continue on a path towards becoming a music educator.
John attended The University of Massachusetts Amherst where he earned his bachelor’s in music education in the fall of 1990. While at UMass, John studied trumpet with Walter Chesnut. In addition, he performed with the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Malcom Rowell, the jazz ensembles under the direction of David Sporny and Jeff Holmes, and The Minuteman Marching Band under the direction of George N. Parks.
John began teaching at the Freeman-Kennedy Elementary School in the fall of 1996 where he currently serves as the Instrumental Music Instructor for grades 4-6. During his tenure, his Advanced Band (grades 5-6) have consistently received high rankings at the MICCA Concert Festivals. In addition to his teaching, John has performed with the Wachusett Brass, Jerry Seeco Big Band, and currently performs with the Commonwealth Wind Symphony. Outside of school, John enjoys hiking and spending time with his daughters.
The Massachusetts Instrumental Conductors Association's Paul Smith Hall of Fame Award is presented annually to a Massachusetts music conductor who is a musical and personal inspiration to students, the community and other professional conductors. Admission to the Hall of Fame is limited to two conductors per year.
In presenting this award, the MICCA Executive Board wishes to recognize persons who best represent the high personal, musical, and professional teaching standards of the late Paul Smith, Sr., former Director of Music in the Abington, Massachusetts, Public School System.
The criteria for the award is as follows
- Have a minimum of ten years as a Massachusetts conductor.
- Have a variety of conducting experiences
- Be active in promoting the values of music education both in the local community and throughout the state.
- Recognize the importance of regular professional growth in the music field.
- Be a model of professionalism who supports MICCA activities.
MICCA wishes to honor worthy educators with this award and asks fellow music educators to be a part of the process. You are invited to nominate someone who has the qualifications and you feel is deserving.
Nominations will be accepted until December 2nd, 2024.
Click here to electronically submit the Paul Smith Hall of Fame Nomination Form.
Click here for a list of the members of The MICCA Paul Smith Hall of Fame.