Andante Studio

Studio Update, 2026-2027 School Year

For children: At the moment, I can’t take any more new students for the 2026 2027 school year. However, openings do occasionally arise as people’s schedules shift. If you’re interested, please do contact me (via the contact form on this website; it does work) and I’ll put you on my waiting list. We can have a conversation about whether or not my studio would be the right fit for your child.

For adults: I’m not currently taking on any more adult students, because my schedule is packed, but if you have a very flexible schedule and are willing to commit to regular lessons, feel free to get in touch and I’ll see what I can do. I might be able to do lessons at 8 or 8:15 (in the morning) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

Music Update, Summer 2026


This past winter, I joined the Stockbridge Sinfonia — as a cellist. The Sinfonia is a community Orchestra in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts that is now in it 54th season. This was a huge move for me because I’m actually not much of a cello player! I started taking lessons a couple of years ago. My teacher said that I was ready to play in the orchestra, which quite honestly was a little bit generous . I’ve never played in an orchestra before! We got our sheet music in February and our first concert is tomorrow. We’re playing three concerts, in Lenox (Aagust 1), in Pittsfield (August 8), and in Great Barrington (August 9). Www.stockbridgesinfonia.org.

Studio Basics

I have a few loaner keyboards available that are suitable for beginners. If you don’t have a piano, but your child would like to try lessons you can borrow one. It’s not suitable for long-term, but it’ll help you get started.

In addition to piano lessons (all ages, all styles, all levels), I am also offering a basic piano proficiency course for instrumentalists and vocalists who are planning to major in music. Basic piano proficiency is a requirement at almost all music major programs, and passing this class in college can be a major hurdle for students who have no prior piano experience, My course is available in my studio for local (Berkshire County) students, and virtually for those living elsewhere, Please get in touch using the contact form on this page.

NO REFLECTION ON YOU….

“No Reflection on You” by Kathy Reichert. David Hodge, vocals and guitar. Karen Berger, piano

While updating my websites, I stumbled on this clip David and I did a while back of a song written by our friend Kathy Reichert. It grew out of a songwriting class David Hodge taught where students were asked to write a song about something without saying what the subject actually was. “No Refection on You” is Kathy’s song about vampires. We interpreted it as a tango. It’s always fun to play this one.

About me

I’m a pianist, teacher, and writer based in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, serving Great Barrington and South Berkshire County, the Hillsdale/Copake region, and the Lakeville/Salisbury area in Connecticut.  I work with David Hodge, who teaches guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele.

My goal is to teach students so they can enjoy music making throughout their lives.

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Above all, we learn music for the joy it brings us throughout our lives.

This site contains information for pianists, piano students, piano parents, and my fellow piano teachers.  In the sidebar to the left  (or at the bottom of your screen if you’re using a mobile phone or a tablet), you’ll find links to the most recent posts, as well as posts organized by topic.

You can also check out:

If you’re looking for the Karen Berger who is a travel and adventure writer, that’s me, too. (Yes, I’m a Gemini!) But that’s a whole different job with a whole different website.