Michele Goritz Berlant

I began playing piano at 7 years old and flute at 8years old. By High School, I was in several groups as first flute including Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band Orchestra and a City Youth Orchestra. I went on to graduate from The Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance studying with such teachers as Constance Keene, Isabelle Byman and Ernest Ulmer. I took further courses in Theory at the Juilliard School, Jazz Piano with Kenny Werner and New Music Studies with Esther Lamneck of New York University. I played for Ballet Classes for 20 years in the New Area playing for such companies as Alvin Ailey, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and NYC Steps Studio for Soloists of New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. I have performed my music and those of other composers in Europe and the United States as a soloist and in ensemble and have composed music for ballet companies as well as for my own two CDs: Etudes en Danse, for Ballet Classes and Bliss, a CD of Classical and Original Music. I love to teach and share the passion I have for music. I love to see students, both Adults and Children grow in their music and develop their skills to use and enjoy for their entire life. I focus on the recognition and use of Technique as a means to an end. I believe mastering technique will enable to the student to spend more time and energy in the creative process and experience the poetry of the music on an ongoing basis.