BIOGRAPHY
Berit Strong won a Top Prize in the 1988 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition which launched her international performing career. She has toured Europe several times, once with guitarist Alice Artzt, and then as a soloist, appearing in major festivals in Hungary, the former Yugoslavia, Italy, and Denmark. Ms. Strong has also performed solo recitals throughout the U.S., including the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Akron, Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Mass. and Jordan Hall in Boston.
Two of her recent accomplishments are performances of Daniel Pinkham's works at Northeastern University presented by the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and as a featured soloist with the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Max Hobart in a performance of the Concerto de Aranjuez' by Joaquin Rodrigo. She has also performed with pianist Virginia Eskin on NPR, for Amnesty International gala benefit, and at the Monadnock Music Festival. As a three-time special guest artist for the National Flute Association Congress, she gave world premiers and showcased competition-winning pieces for flute and guitar. Her radio and television appearances include National Public Radio, WGBHRadio, Swissradio, Hungarian Radio, Belgrade Radio, and World Service International.
Audiences and critics alike have expressed enthusiasm for Ms. Strong's distinctive approach to classical music. Boston Globe critic Richard Dyer said that "Berit Strong was a colorful and commanding interpreter." Soundboard Magazine wrote "Overall, Miss Strong displayed an intense and original musical personality with an outgoing and communicative stage presence."
Ms. Strong performed in masterclasses over a ten year period with Oscar Ghiglia, and strives to continue his legacy as a teacher of dynamic interpretations and a holistic, injury-prevention approach towards guitar. Serious students, professionals and guitar teachers have consulted or studied privately with Ms. Strong. Some of her students have won competitions and have been placed in top-notch conservatories. From 1986-1988 she studied in Milan, Italy with musicologist and conservatory professor Ruggero Chiesa, who helped her gain a deeper understanding of technique and musical styles.
She received her Master's degree at the New England Conservatory with Distinction in Performance and a Bachelor's with honors from the Hart School of Music.
For six years she taught at Bridgewater State College, and at present teaches privately in her home studio and at ArtSpace in Maynard, MA and is on the faculty at Indian Hill Music Center in Littleton, MA. As the Artistic Director of the Boston Classical Guitar Society for six years Ms. Strong restored its non-profit status, and included in her concert series debut recitals of Paulo Bellinati and Juan Martin.
Berit's first solo CD with works inspired by nature will be released this summer by the Clear Note Productions Recording Company. It features music by Sor, Coste, Cullen,Tarrega, Panin, Sommerfeldt, and Cooperman.
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