Play Piano With Bert

I am a very easy going; friendly and patient person who believes that learning music is built upon a strong relationship between teacher and student. This relationship involves good communication, honesty, open mindedness, and most importantly the desire to LEARN and have FUN.

The lessons progress very smoothly, with no gaps that cause the skipping of hard sections. It establishes enough command of keyboard to allow student to continue to develop, as more advanced playing as he can. Through a great variety of t pieces, starting with some popular and familiar favorites mixed with tuneful originals reaching the baroque and classical piano repertoire as well as the romantic and 20th century music, I try to make piano playing a richer and more rewarding experience, all adding to the fun and enjoyment of making music.

Even though I'm a classically trained pianist I try to use a wider variety of the pianistic repertoire introducing some blues and jazz music as well as popular and familiar tunes according to the student's musical taste.

I believe in an active method of teaching. I don't only see the student as a receiver but as an active participant in his own learning. I try to keep the lesson pleasant and joyful so the student can always enjoy playing piano and enjoy the music. I use several ways of teaching (according to the student age and demands) that lead to the development of the faculties of observation, concentration, creativity, self confidence, personal expression as well as musical skills. Finally I insist on the encouragement and the support of the students regardless of their specific talents or skills towards a more effective and beneficial musical experience.

My name is Berthe, I started taking piano lessons at the age of four and performed for the first time at the age of 8 at the Assembly Hall of the American University of Beirut.

After graduating from High School in 1978, I attended the Faculty of Music of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik/Lebanon, where I pursued musical studies toward a Ph. D. in Music education and a higher diploma in piano.
From 1982 to 2000 I was appointed as a music teacher at the University of the Holy Spirit of kaslik (USEK), The University of St. Joseph (USJ) and the Lebanese University (UL) where I taught the following courses: Piano, Music theory, Music education, music appreciation as well as History and analysis of western music.
In 1987 I recorded my first CD "Rehna Meshouar", a collection of Lebanese songs for children, intended to introduce music to kids.
In 1995 I published my first book " DO-Mi-Sol", that focuses on a method specifically designed to teach kids Solfege (oral theory and ear training).
Starting 1996, I took part in many educational activities and devoted myself to the promotion of musical education to the children.
From 1998 to 2001 I was in charge of training the future music teachers at the Ecole Normale, section musique, and to teach the following courses: Piano, Music education, psychology and music education, The philosophy of music education.
In 2000 I was appointed as the director of studies and the Academic Secretary of the Faculty of Music of the Holy Spirit University of kaslik. During my tenure, I manage the Faculty of Music, a position in which I employed teachers, advised students, and developed artistic as well as academic programs. It was my responsibility to organize studies, examinations, plan and execute artistic and cultural events which included concerts, conventions, competitions… In addition to my administrative responsibilities through the years, I have been engaged in teaching piano, history and analysis of western music, music education, Organology, Ethnomusicology, music languages, and related curriculum as I trained scores of students to become future music teachers throughout my career.
In 2005 I was appointed as the Vice president of the administrative Committee of the Forum of music institutes of the Arab country. Between 2000 and 2007 I traveled a lot and gave lectures in Europe and the Middle East at several conventions and kept writing and publishing articles concerning music and music education.

Since 2007 I'm a piano instructor at St. Petersburg College, and give as well private piano lessons at my own studio. I was invited several times to be a judge at the Bay ridge Piano Festival.

I charge: 30$ per half hour lesson

40$ per 45 minutes 50$ per hour

I was still a music major grad student at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik when the dean of The Faculty of Music asked me to give Piano courses and traine the future teachers to give music lessons at schools.

I worked and still do with the Music major students, University level and at my studio I work with kids from the age of 5 and up as well as professional adults who are training to audition for universities and adults who are learning piano just for fun, for their own satisfection.

with my adult nonprofessional students we started guetting together in my house, in a non formal way, for what we called "Salon Musical" . where each one of them perform few pieces sharing our love for music. During these gathering there is no pressure, no stress, no stage panic. They can perform with there books open not necesseraly by memory. if they mess up they can repeat. we also talk a little bit about the composer, the style, the piece itself. we end our gathering by having a bite and a drink together.Until now it's a hudge success and everybody is enjoying and looking forward for these gathering.

well the student should search for a competant teacher with an important experience in teaching and a lot of patience. then take a sample lesson and see if he gets along with the teacher.

if they can commit to the lessons, if their schedule allow them to take lessons without having to cancel all the time. if the teacher they picked can provide the kind of teaching they need. Let's say if they want to learn jazz piano or popular music they cannot go to a classical piano teacher and vice versa.