Performing Update, Fall, 2026
Upcoming gigs:
Saturday September 5: with HodgePodge at the Great Barrington Co-op, 1 – 3.
Saturday October 3: with HodgePodge at the Great Barrington Co-op. 1-3
Studio Update, 2026-2027 School Year
At the moment, I have very few open slots for piano students. If you are flexible I might be able to find a time that works, so please contact me via the form on this website (it does work) if you’d like to have a conversation about whether my studio would be the right fit for you or your child. Openings do occasionally arise as people’s schedules shift
Performing Update, Summer 2026
This year I joined the Stockbridge Sinfonia as a cellist and member of the Board of Directors. The Sinfonia is a community orchestra in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts that is now in its 54th season playing ambitious symphonic works. This year we were thrilled to feature Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat, major, and Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E minor, along with shorter works by Aaron Copeland, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Murray in three concerts in Lenox, Pittsfield, and Great Barrington.. Www.stockbridgesinfonia.org.
I also play popular music with friends, this year on hammered dulcimer and cello. My other summer performances were at the Great Barrington Co-op and at Berkshire Busk, with David Hodge and Linda Tims.
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….
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.

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:
- my bio as a pianist, piano teacher, and author
- information about my teaching philosophy and piano studio in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
- my music books and magazine writing
- blog articles for piano parents
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.