Biography

 

 


  • Barbara Becker and music have been together since her earliest childhood. By age 4 she had spontaneously begun playing by ear and arranging nursery rhymes on the piano. It was discovered she had been born with perfect pitch. Private lessons continued through high school; summers at the prestigious National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan; a regular at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts. Admission to the Conservatory at Oberlin College in Ohio started her college career which ended at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Her teaching career began in the Chicago area public schools and continued in South San Francisco as a music specialist where, in addition to teaching classroom music, she wrote and arranged music for choral groups and created imaginative programs for holidays and school events.

  • Her speciality is teaching piano to the young beginner (age 6) through advanced intermediate; launching the budding, young composer; and exploring students creativity through improvisation.

  • Moving to the East Bay, she saw a need in the community for a pre-school music program. She created within Walnut Creek Civic Arts, the Stepping Stones program. It was the first pre-music program of its kind in Northern California, and it had a waiting list of over 500
    children! It flourished for 16 years until she left to open her own private piano studio. Today, she continues to maintain an active piano studio in the Walnut Creek area, passing on her love for music and piano to her students. She also continues to “give back”to the
    community by giving workshops on improvisation to teacher groups and performances for clubs, organizations, senior residences and other social events.

  • Education:


  • Studied piano privately in high school, attending the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan during the summers
    First 3 undergraduate years were spent at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio majoring in music education, minoring in piano
    Graduated Roosevelt University, in Chicago with same major and minor. Completed state teaching certificate.
    Post graduate study in composition with Karel Jirak and Julian White
    Post graduate study in choral conducting with Margaret Hillis
    Post graduate study in piano ensemble with Ken Bruckmeir for ten years at Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, California.
    Post graduate study in the Kodaly method at Stanford University and Holy Names College with Mary Helen Richards
    Post graduate study at the Liszt Ferenz Institute in Budapest, Hungary

  • Professional Organizations:


  • Music Teachers’ Association of California
    California Professional Music Teachers
    Music Teachers National Association
    Mu Phi Epsilon
    National Guild of Piano Teachers
    Contra Costa Performing Arts Society.

  • In addition to her long teaching career, Barbara is an award-winning, commissioned composer. She was composer in residence in 1993 at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where her musical narrative, “I Am Not Virginia Woolf”, was performed by faculty. She has been the on-going composer-in-residence for the Contra Costa chapter of Music Teachers’ Association of California and, for many years was the columnist on improvisation for MTAC’s state magazine. Additionally, she is listed in Maurice Hinson’s Guide to the Pianist’s Repertoire (Alfred publisher) as one of the recommended composers of the 20-21st century.

  • Below are books published by Barbara Becker Publications


  • 1. A Child’s World, I
    2. A Child’s World, II
    3. Just Fun, Preparatory
    4. Just Fun, I
    5. Scenes from the City
    6. Scenes from the Theatre
    7, Scenes from Christmas
    8. More Scenes from Christmas
    9. First Scenes from Christmas
    10. Second Scenes from Christmas
    11. Riding the Orient Express
    12. Sonatina
    13. The Madison Suite
    14. Three Songs without Words (for violoncello and piano)
    15. Two Easy Serenades (in first position for violin, violoncello, piano)


    A CD of her 24 LULLABIES and FOLK SONGS (soprano and piano) is available@ CDBABY.COM BARBARA BECKER - CLICK HERE TO VISIT


    She has also written recital and ragtime pieces for the piano; solo and chamber works; choral music; and has arranged Christmas and Jewish music as well as music by Gershwin and others.


  • Her music may be purchased through Barbara Becker Publications.

  • Call 925-954-8808 to set up an appointment today!

  • Selection From: Riding the Orient Express (Barcarolle)
  • Performed by: Barbara Becker

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