Welcome Orchestra Directors, Sean Brennan and Nick Karpinsky

Sean Brennan, BHHS Orchestra Director

Bloomfield Hills High School recently welcomed Sean Brennan as the Director of Orchestras. In this role, Brennan directs the Campus Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. Each ensemble performs in public about six times per year. Brennan also teaches IB Music and IB Theory of Knowledge.

Sean comes to Bloomfield Schools after seven years of teaching, most recently at Portage Public Schools, near Kalamazoo, for the past five years, and at Battle Creek Lakeview School District in the two years before that. Sean earned a Bachelor's degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and a Master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Brennan has lived primarily in Michigan, growing up in Wixom and attending Walled Lake Central High School. Brennan enjoys jogging, walking through wooded trails, reading, and playing video games. Sean goes through "tea nerd" phases and enjoys some less-common varieties like pu-erh and lapsang souchong. As a violist, Brennan performs professionally about 15 to 20 times per year, and has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, as a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in 2011.

Nick Karpinsky, Orchestra Director, Grades 5-8

Nick Karpinsky is the new orchestra director at North Hills Middle School, Eastover Elementary, and Way Elementary Schools. At Eastover and Way, Karpinsky teaches 5th grade beginning orchestra. Students who choose orchestra play one of four instruments: violin, viola, cello or bass. Karpinsky coordinates several concerts throughout the school year, potentially plans music trips, and participates in Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) events throughout the year, such as Solo and Ensemble.

Most recently teaching orchestra in Birmingham Public Schools, Karpinsky has been a musical educator for 15 years, with previous teaching experience in Warren Consolidated Schools and Waterford Schools. Karpinsky has also worked with and conducted youth orchestras with Oakland Youth Orchestras and the Detroit Civic Youth Ensembles, and is the conductor of the Studio String Orchestra with Oakland Youth Orchestras.

A native Michigander, Karpinsky is an outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and hunting with family, golf, and travel, especially to visit family that is out of state. Nick has a younger brother, and loves rescuing dogs. 

Sean and Nick will be joining the robust music and fine arts program at Bloomfield Hills Schools. BHS offers vast Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Theater courses at the middle and high school level. All fourth graders select an instrument whether band or orchestra to begin their musical journey.