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 an advanced piano diploma. 

I'm a very motivated cellist and private teacher who loves developing the talents of my students. I have had the opportunity to study at some of the worlds best schools of music including: Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, University of South Florida's School of Music, and was accepted into the Longy School of Music in Boston. At these institutions I have had the chance to study with some of the worlds leading solo and orchestral cellists including: Helga Winold, Emilio Colon, Janos Starker, Scott Kluksdahl and Lowell Adams. In 2010 I was given the opportunity to join the St. Petersburg Opera Orchestra as their Assistant Principle Cellist where I performed in productions of Marriage of Figaro, Sampson and Delilah, Die Fletermause, and other various operatic works.

I am a very motivated instructor who loves sharing my love and passion for music.  I graduated from Glenwood High School in 2004.  I then went on to Western Illinois University where I studied jazz on trumpet.  I also went to Lincoln Land Community College with a Jazz performance major on trumpet and piano.  I taught choir at Lanphier High School during the main choir teacher's medical leave.  I played at Walt Disney World in 2005 as a fill-in on trumpet.  I have traveled across the country and internationally as well.  I have opened for and performed in major national acts across the country.  My teaching career started in early 2001, including private instruction in piano, trumpet, and voice.

A native of Florida, I recently graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa under the tutelage of Scott Kluksdahl, an internationally renowned cellist and pedagogue. My other primary cello teachers include Loran Stephenson (National Symphony Orchestra), Helga Winold (Indiana University) and John Kaboff (Arlington, VA). I have participated in masterclasses with David Requiro and the Baumer String Quartet, Noreen-Cassidy Polera, Rhonda Rider, Jan Müller-Szeraws, Joshua Gordon, Carol Ou, Rupert Thompson, Robert Jesselson, Ross Harbaugh, Rebecca Penneys and Norman Fischer. As a strong advocate of new music, I have actively participated in numerous student composer concerts that have presented new and viable works from USF's esteemed composition program. I have also participated in the Apple Hill Chamber Music Festival (2012 and 2013) and the annual Tennessee Cello Workshop (2009). I was the principal cellist of the 2009 National Philharmonic Summer String Institute under the direction of maestro Piotr Gajewski and I was recently the Assistant Principal of the University of South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Throughout my high school career, I taught and performed actively as a guitarist and pianist in many varying ensembles ranging from improvisatory ensembles to rock and roll groups.   As a motivated instructor, I focus on building depth of experience and knowledge regarding music and all of its aspects in students of all ages. Furthermore, I proclaim the importance of the fact that musicians create and communicate directly through their presentation of musical works at any level and on any instrument.

I am a dedicated instructor who loves working with children and adults. I earned my Piano and Flute Teaching, as well as Performance Diplomas from The Royal College of Music. I have collaborated with numerous singers, wind and string instrument players all over the Caribbean in Classical and Jazz performances. I have taught piano and flute students who have gone on to play in bands, churches,orchestras and other music organizations.