Bert's Masterclasses
a unique and rare opportunity to learn from the best!
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, our masterclasses offer a unique opportunity to enhance your musical abilities. Through a combination of group sessions, individual exercises, and collaborative performances, you'll learn how to think on your feet, communicate effectively with other musicians, and create captivating melodies on the spot. Join us and embark on a journey of musical exploration and self-discovery.
FOUR students!
Four students can attend a masterclass. There is a lot of personal attention and time and space for each individual's questions and learning process.
TWO higly qualified teachers!
Every masterclass has two teachers. Bert invites a highly qualified professional. Depending on the masterclass at hand, that is another pianist, a bassist an hornplayer or a vocalist.
SIX learning moments!
4 individual lessons, 2 group lessons and individual study time.
ONE whole day!
The luxury of so much time and different learning forms creates the opportunity to dive in deep and stay relaxed.
Different perspectives!
There are six masterclasses a year, that can be taken separately as well as a series. The idea behind the masterclasses is three different musical setups for the piano: piano solo; piano - bass; and piano - solist.
A good movement is a good sound!
The motorical aspect of playing the piano is largely decisive for the end result. If you move comfortable you sound great. In every masterclass the motorical topic will be discussed.
Improvisation
There is always focus on improvisation and variation. Improvisation in the broadest sense: chords, melody, rhythm, timing, interaction. The word Variation means for Bert seeking and developing subtle differences in your playing.
What it will bring you
- More freedom at the instrument
- The pleasure of smooth movement
- More convenience
- Additional skills
- A next step in your piano playing
- Individual guidance
- Small group, lots of personal attention
- Learn together
- The charm of working together
- Written feedback
- A pleasant and inviting atmosphere
- A well-organized lunch
Data workshops
Location
Akkersestraat 6a
4061 BH Ophemert
Four rooms with two acoustic pianos each
Day schedule
- 10:30 -11:00 Reception with coffee and tea
- 11:00 - 11:45 Group lesson
- 11:45 - 13:15 two Individual lessons and study time
- 13:15 - 14:00 Lunch
- 14:00 - 15:30 two Individual lessons and study time
- 15:30 - 16:15 Group lesson
- 16:15 - 16:30 Finishing up
Costs
€363,- (incl. VAT)
The teachers
There is always Bert with a guest teacher. This could be a pianist, but also an instrumentalist or a singer. This guest teacher, just like Bert himself, will also play with you.
Bert graduated with honors as a classical pianist and also reached the top of Dutch jazz musicians as a self-taught musician. For example, he won the VPRO BoyEdgar prize in 2007 and played with great musicians such as Jules de Corte, Toots Thielemans and Deedee Bridgewater. Bert works as a piano teacher at the Utrecht Conservatory and regularly gives concerts on organ, piano and accordion.
Cor Bakker graduated cum laude from the conservatory in 1984, followed by studies in Los Angeles with the famous composer and pianist Clare Fischer. He subsequently worked as a principal subject teacher at the Utrecht Conservatory for several years and was the permanent pianist of the Metropole Orchestra for no less than 11 years.
Following radio and TV programs (including as accompanist for Paul de Leeuw) and making him a celebrity. He even gets his own TV programs, such as 'Cor & Co' - prime-time with orchestra and national & international stars - and, for example, 'Cor op Reis'; in which he visits and accompanies famous artists all over the world. In addition, he has been a welcome guest on stages at home and abroad for decades. From light classical or evergreens to chansons or 'heavy' jazz. Cabaret, Dutch, Latin; Oh well, he's at home in all styles. Actually, Cor is at home everywhere. As long as there is a piano. In the book 'In all keys' you can read all about how Cor managed to realize his boyhood dreams and the price he paid for it.
Dutch double bassist, composer and producer Jasper Somsen (1973) graduated in both Jazz and Classical double bass. He is an open minded versatile musician. Best known as a Jazz musician his field of interest and expertise also includes cross overs to classical, pop, world and film music and theater productions.
Jasper has collaborated with some of the very best musicians on the international jazz scene including Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband, Gabriele Mirabassi and Paolo Fresu.Besides a performer and composer, Jasper Somsen is a Challenge Records artist and a renowned studio producer.
Paul van der Feen is regarded as one of Holland`s leading jazz saxophonists and viewed as an original and versatile voice within the Dutch musical landscape.
As a member of the Grammy Award winning Metropole Orkest he played alongside some of music’s most prominent such as Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Al Jarreau, Gregory Porter, Maria Schneider, Robert Glasper, Chaka Khan and many others, resulting in several acclaimed recordings, most notably a feature role in a Grammy Award winning Vince Mendoza arrangement in 2010.
Paul practically grew up playing with his brothers (Mark, Matthijs and Clemens) with whom he formed the all-brothers Feenbrothers quartet, which initially featured the eleven year old Paul on clarinet. At age 14 he picked up the alto sax and -still a youngster- graduated from the Amsterdam Conservatory in 2002. After spending some time in New York Paul explored several musical genres in depth like Funk, R&B and especially Classical Music, but was drawn back into Jazz by rediscovering John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter and eventually began to discard all forms of musical parochialism.
Paul was a prize winner at the prestigeous White Foundation World Sax Competition in 2004 after which he played and toured with several renowned ensembles like the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and collaborated with drummer and friend Roy Dackus to form the groups Odyssee and Inception which featured trumpet player Alex Sipiagin.
Student Testimonials
Read what others have to say about Bert's teaching.
Masterclass faqs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our improvisation workshops.
There are six masterclasses in a year.
Yes! Even better: The two individual lesson will be split up in two sessions of 20 minutes each. After the first individual lesson in the morning you will practice for 20 minutes. You will then get the second individual lesson of another 20 minutes, followed with another 20 minutes of practice. This scheme repeats in the afternoon with the other teacher. So you will have effectively 4 individual lessons and 2 group lessons with only four students and the two teachers.
It is very refreshing to hear commentary from a non-pianist and to look at piano playing from that perspective. What do you take into account when you play with another musician?
Our masterclasses are suitable for participants of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
We provide all necessary materials for our workshops, including lunch and drinks. Just bring yourself and your enthusiasm!
Just send Bert an email and he will send all details.
Because of the very exclusive character of the masterclasses it is important that there are four students. If you have to cancel and another student will sign up, you will be refunded. That also means you can transfer your registration to somebody else. If the masterclass ends up with only three students, unfortunately your payment can not be refunded.