Karen Berger earned her Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where she studied piano and interned in music journalism. Today, her career is split between writing about travel, the arts, the outdoors and music; teaching piano; and recording and performing.

She has been teaching piano in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts for more than20 years. Formerly a member of the faculty of the Berkshire Music School, she now operates her own studio in South Egremont, near Great Barrington. Her students have ranged in age from 4 to 82, and she’s taught an equally wide range of styles and levels, from the theme to “Super Mario Brothers” to such classical favorites as Beethoven’s “Appassionata” sonata, Chopin’s G minor Ballade, and the Bach Chromatic Fantasy. For more about her teaching,  please see the piano lessons page.

Karen performs in and around Berkshire County, playing piano, cello, hammered dulcimer, and/or electric bass (not at the same time!). Her repertoire includes everything from Bach to the blues. She and her partner David Hodge (on vocals and guitar and/or electric bass) are available for parties and events: They bring a repertoire ranging from American songbook standards to classic and contemporary rock.

Karen is the author of three books on music: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Piano Exercises, (for which she composed and recorded the music), the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Teaching Music on Your Own, and the Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Piano Chords. Check her music journalism page for details.

For more about her books and other writing, please visit KarenBerger.com