Meet Your Instructor

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Therese Bertrand, NCTM

Therese Bertrand is a K-12 State-Certified Music Teacher for Montana, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming — and a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano through the Music Teachers National Association. Bertrand has 40 years of experience teaching music in multiple formats.

Bertrand’s private music studio — Music Potpourri — is located in Billings, Montana. Programs include:

  • Comprehensive music instruction in piano, which includes one weekly private lesson and up to two group lessons per month for students ages 4-17.

  • DO RE MI and MOM: A 6-week group program for toddler or preschool children and their caregiver.

  • A summer music camp for preschool & elementary-aged students.

  • A Christmas Show music camp (to be launched November 2021)

In the fall of 2006, Bertrand traveled to Finland and studied privately under Mette Heikkinen and the tutelage Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki. Kukkamäki was commissioned by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998) to investigate voice using his philosophy. Bertrand was the first United States citizen to travel to Finland to study with Kukkamäki. While in Finland, she passed performance and teaching examinations through the European Suzuki Association qualifying and receiving European Certification in Suzuki Voice. Kukkamäki, who trains teachers internationally, indicated that Bertrand had strong skills for teaching music.

Bertrand has studied and practiced many music education philosophies, including Suzuki, Orff, Musikgarten, Kindermusik, in her private studio, in the public school setting and with children’s church choirs. She holds bachelor and master of education degrees from Montana State University-Billings and University of Idaho, respectively. Her background consists of serving as pianist, vocalist, children’s choir director and playing French horn in various settings over the course of 40 years, including participation in a choir performance of Handel’s Messiah in Carnegie Hall on April 9, 2006. She is a member of Billings Music Teacher’s (currently President-elect), Montana State Music Teachers Association, Music Teacher’s National Association, Royal Conservatory of Music and National Piano Guild.

Training, Certification, and Performance


Education

  • Bachelor's Degree – Montana State University Billings

  • Master's Degree – University of Idaho

  • Vocal Performance Major – Minot State University

  • European Suzuki Association Certification Level 1 & 2 Voice — Studied in Finland with Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki (teacher training) and Mette Heikkinen (vocal coach)


Certificates

  • National Certified Teacher of Music (Piano) through Music Teachers National Association

  • European Suzuki Association Certification Level 1 & 2 Voice

  • State teacher certifications — Montana, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming, including:

    • Music K-12

    • Instrumental Music K-12

    • Mathematics 5-12

    • Elementary K-8

    • Special Education - Hearing Impaired/Deaf Education PK-12

    • Special Education PK-12


Current Membership of Professional and Other Music Organizations

  • Music Teacher’s National Association

  • Billings Music Teachers Association (President-elect)

  • Montana State Music Teachers Association

  • National Guild of Piano Teachers

  • Royal Conservatory of Music, 2023 Northwest Gold Medal Teacher

  • Billings Symphony Chorale


Personal Performance Highlights

  • Spring 2006 - Carnegie Hall - Handel’s Messiah

  • Fall 2006 Finland - Solo Recital for audience of young children

  • Spring 2012 Solo Recital, Piano, Voice, French horn, Minot State University

  • 2018 Soloist - Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Big Bend Community College

“Therese has such a heart for music that it shows when she teaches music. She has all those qualities: professional, responsive, values her time with you and she’s very punctual. I started taking piano lessons from her and in about 3 months I was playing a song with both hands! (I started at the age of 35!) My kids also took lessons from her and because of it, my kids have a heart for music . . . such a blessing!”

— Mary C.