By Norah Jewett ’25
Ms. Pilanen-Kudlik–better known as Ms. PK by students and staff–has been an important part of the music arts department through her role as the chorus teacher, spring musical director, and overall the force that keeps the music department members together. This year marks her final year at BHS, as at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year, she will be retiring after thirty-eight years of working in Beverly, eight of which were spent at the old Memorial Middle School, and the other thirty spent at Beverly High.
I got the opportunity to ask Ms. PK a few questions about her time at BHS and some of her best memories throughout the year:
Q: What is your fondest memory from working in this building?
A: My fondest memories of working in this building are the students, families and teachers that I have come to know. Spending so many hours outside of school on musicals and music trips has given me a very special connection to my students and their families.
Q: What has been your favorite musical production you have worked on?
A: I don’t have one favorite musical production, I have favorite parts of many productions. West Side Story was one of my favorites because we had actual Latino exchange students playing the lead roles. We also had the captain of the football team playing a lead role, and 100 students involved in dancing on stage for the group numbers. Some of my favorite memories are of the set designs that I crafted and built with Lee Nadeau, the murderous barber chair for Sweeney Todd, the guillotine for the Scarlet Pimpernel, the special effects for the rose and beast transformation for Beauty and the Beast, and the rain storm that actually occurred with real water onstage for Singing in the Rain. Most of all, my favorite memories from all shows are the laughs shared during rehearsals, the tears shared during cast circles, and feeling of accomplishment when the last curtain goes down at the end of the run.
Q: What will you miss the most about working at BHS?
A: I will miss working with the incredible students of the music department when I leave Beverly High School. Music has always been the main focus of my daily life, it will be strange not to come here each day. Working at BHS has been my life, not just my job. Life is changing now though, and my songs will be shared with my grand daughters as I pass the torch of my passion for music.
Q: What are your plans for retirement?
A: I plan to spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren, and have a lot of house projects to complete that have gone by the wayside due to my school time commitments. We will see how the first six months go. If I’m bored, maybe I’ll look for some playing gigs to keep me busy.
Q: Any pieces of wisdom you wish to leave with the students?
A: Live a life that is full of kindness and selflessness, and you will achieve real happiness. Try to live in the moment and realize all the good around you instead of amplifying the negative. Find a job that gives you joy, and it won’t feel like work at all, even after 38 years.
Thank you Ms. PK for all you have done for the music department, you have had such an impact on all of the students you crossed paths with. We all wish you nothing but the best for your future plans.
