Dr. Bernadette Berthelotte is a teacher at both Herman and the University of Windsor and her musical talents are shared through symphonies across the globe. Dr. B grew up in Toronto, Ontario. She received most of her education at the University of Windsor but attained her Master of Music in Performance and Theory from Wayne State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from Michigan State University. After winning an orchestral job in Saskatchewan, she moved to the province and began teaching at the University of Regina. In 1995, she moved back to Windsor and began teaching at W.F. Herman Secondary school in 1997. It was a part-time position until the music program grew large enough to attain a full-time teaching job. Since then, she has won Herman too many gold medals for anyone to remember. She continues to enjoy both her teaching and music career.
I sat down with Dr. Berthelotte as a former Herman student to ask her about her career and education.
1.) What was the most valuable thing you learned from UWindsor? Social or academic.
The most valuable thing I think I learned at UWindsor is independence and discipline. I was away from home, living in residence, and had come from Toronto where easy access of getting around the city is always available. Being a musician involves a great deal of independence because outside of your classes, there is at least four hours a day of practice on your instrument.
2.) How did UWindsor differ from Wayne State and Michigan State University?
These schools differed not only in their sizes overall, but also in the number of people in the programs you take. In music, for example, it is very competitive to get seats in performance ensembles. You have to win them and there are a lot of people who audition as it is a credit and also playing time. At UWindsor, I didn’t have that competition and that was good. I had an opportunity to involve myself in so many things at UWindsor that by the time I did graduate work I was prepared to pursue the things that interested me most. I wouldn’t have found that out so soon had I gone to a really big university as an undergrad.
3.) At what point did you know music was your calling? Did you ever encounter bumps in the road that made you question your choice? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Initially I had applied to the Toronto Police force in gr 13 and had been accepted to begin the process. At the first interview, the sergeant saw that I had all kinds of musical experience in my answers to questionnaires that had to be filled out. He wondered why I wasn’t pursuing that venue, as I had already auditioned at 3 universities and had gotten in. I can’t remember my answer at the time, but I remember that his suggestion was for me to find out if that’s what I really loved to do. I could always re-apply to the force, and having gone that far in the interview process, it was likely that I would get in again. So I took his advice and pursued music; I have never looked back.
4.) What was your favourite competition with the Herman band?
I would have to say that out of all the great trips we have taken, our first one to the Halifax Music Festival was probably the best. The beauty of that part of the country, the fact that the students had never competed before, and the comradery that evolved amongst them was incredible. After they were awarded GOLD in front of hundreds of people, we went to Peggy’s Cove for the afternoon. As it was in April, there was virtually no one around except these students. The bus driver told me that they would last about 45 minutes, but four hours later the students were running on the rocks, dipping their feet into the ocean, taking pictures of this glorious place and just having an amazing time. I saw students change right before my eyes due to this trip and we had a fantastic time.
“I love learning, and I love to create an atmosphere in which students want to learn.”
5.) What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching?
The most rewarding thing is the fact that I get to help shape and mold minds, and they get to do that to me too. I love learning, and I love to create an atmosphere in which students want to learn. When the eyes go wide, it’s my favourite part. Less than 1% of the students I teach in my entire teaching career in high school will ever make a living doing something in the arts, but 99% of them will become audience patrons and will make critical musical decisions based on their knowledge and expertise having had the opportunity to learn music. They will sing or perform in community groups, will encourage their own children to take music, and will attend concerts. I love having that impact on them. I was exposed to music in school, which is why I do what I do now. I love to teach character through the venue of music and I love watching that happen as they become young adults and venture out onto their own.
6.) What advice do you have for future teachers or musicians?
Do it because you’re passionate about what you want for your students. It is not an easy job and it’s demanding in terms of time and energy, but the rewards are endless. Teaching music is still very much a vocation to me, not a job.
7.) How often/where do you play symphonies? Do you feel more inclined to teach or play?
As a music teacher, I would never give up playing as it is my first love. Playing allows me to stay current in rehearsal technique, individual instrumental resources and things I can easily access answers to because of my professional performing colleagues. I have played in symphonies all around Canada, the U.S., and in various countries in Europe. I’ve probably been performing professionally for about 30 years now. I would never stop doing it.
With all of her accomplishments, Dr. Berthelotte still says that becoming a mom was the coolest thing she’s ever experienced. With a solid education, a full music career, and hundreds of well-rounded students who look up to her, we’re proud to call her a Lancer.