Kathleen Berger » Performing Arts Education

Kathleen Berger graduated Summa Cum Laude with Distinction from Boston University with a B.M. in Woodwind Performance (Flute) and Music Education and a Masters in Creative Arts Education from Fitchburg State University. She studied flute with many of the world’s most notable players: Doriot Dwyer, Julius Baker, Marianne Gedigian, Marya Martin, Carol Wincenc, Alexander Murray, Jeffrey Khaner, Gary Schocker, Julia Bogorad, and Adam Kuenzel. Ms. Berger has taught privately in the Wellesley Public Schools from 1999-2003 and then again from 2006-present. She also taught privately in the Westwood Public Schools and worked as a teacher and flute choir director at Assumption College in Worcester. In addition to teaching in Wellesley, she currently has a very active private studio in Marlborough and has conducted the flute choir at the Colleges of the Fenway in Boston since 2005.

Ms. Berger has worked as a general music and instrumental music teacher in the Shrewsbury Public Schools and an Instrumental Director at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. She has led a student-run, pre-concert lecture series, participated in a number of music festivals, and organized Benefit Concerts and Recital Hours. Ms. Berger also shared her passion for new art and music through teaching an adult class at Danforth Art entitled Contemporary Art and Music, was a docent there from 2009-2011, and a staff member there from 2011-2014.

As a conductor, Ms. Berger has attended the American String Teachers’ Association’s International Workshop in Stravanger, Norway and the Conductors Workshop of America at the University of Iowa and conducted the Worcester Youth Concert Orchestra. She currently conducts the Colleges of the Fenway Orchestra in Boston and has been the group’s artistic director since 2005.

Ms. Berger has attended numerous workshops held by the Asperger/Autism Network and Think:Kids and has much experience working with special needs, including kids who are autistic, twice-exceptional, gifted, kids with ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, anxiety, etc. Ms. Berger and her two kids work with third-year medical student through Tufts Medical School to educate doctors about Autism and how they, as doctors, can enhance and improve the lives of their patients. Ms. Berger has an autistic daughter who gives her a unique portal into the exceptional lives of students with special needs and is very passionate about forwarding the music education of each and every one of her students.