Meet Your Instructor
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 42 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 6-12 week group program for infant, 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 42 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), 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
Smart Start Certified (Early Childhood Music) through Royal Conservatory of Music
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)
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.