Berkshire Magazine Spring 2026 | Page 49

musicians were operating in parallel rather than together.“ I didn’ t want to be at the center of something,” Whalan says.“ I wanted to get out of the way and let people connect.”

SCALING WITHOUT LOSING THE SOUL

The mixer at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center’ s Indigo Room on February 17 marked a new phase for the series. Designed as a flexible, standing-room space, the Indigo Room aligns with the mixer’ s format, encouraging movement and conversation rather than passive observation. Michael Beuth, Senior Manager of Programming & Booking at the Mahaiwe, says they were grateful and excited to work with Whalan on the event.“ Jackson’ s music mixers have been a great outlet for the community,” says Beuth,“ and it was great to welcome everyone to make connections, explore opportunities, and simply check out the new space.” The partnership between Whalan and the Mahaiwe also represents a symbolic bridge between Berkshire-based musicians and one of the region’ s most respected cultural institutions. For artists like Matt Cusson— a Grammy ®-nominated musician, arranger, and Recording Academy member who maintains deep Berkshire roots while working globally— that bridge matters.

“ It’ s such a breath of fresh air,” says Cusson, who is from Pittsfield.“ There’ s no competition. We’ re all here to support each other and listen.” The April mixer at Wander in Pittsfield will extend the reach beyond south county, reinforcing Whalan’ s commitment to serving the entire region. The events remain free and RSVP-based.

MANY VOICES, ONE ROOM

What ultimately distinguishes the Berkshires Music Mixer is not its format or its growth, but the way it allows people to see themselves as part of something shared. For visual artist Carol Gingles, who has known Whalan since his teenage years through Railroad Street Youth Project, the mixer feels like a continuation of a long arc for him.“ He’ s always been consistent in his mission,” she says.“ Consistent in his perseverance and his desire to inspire people around him.”

That consistency has translated into something tangible. Across generations and genres, the mixer has become a place where musicians and music workers feel less isolated— and more empowered.“ Big change happens locally, with small communities connecting,” Constance reflects. Whalan is clear about his role in that process.“ I don’ t want to be at the center of this,” he says.“ I love watching it unfold.”

As the Berkshires Music Mixer continues moving into new venues, welcoming new voices, and planting seeds for collaborations yet to emerge, it carries a simple premise: that scenes are built by showing up, listening, and making room for one another. In a region defined by both cultural legacy and geographic spread, the mixer is offering something quietly transformative— a recurring place to gather, speak, and spark exciting new collaborations and projects. n

To RSVP to the Berkshires Music Mixer event on April 21, visit wanderberkshires. com / events.

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Spring 2026 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 47