Dr. Wilma Van Berkel

Biography

Wilma van Berkel, originally from The Hague, Netherlands, obtained her teacher's performer's degrees from the Rotterdam Conservatory. She studied under renowned instructors Hans van Goch and Jorge Oraison and was awarded consecutive Foreign Exchange Scholarships by the government of Czechoslovakia, along with grants from the Dutch Ministry of Culture to study at the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. Besides maintaining a busy private music studio, she has performed in various duos, including Duo Resonance with flutist Sibylle Marquardt. Wilma has recorded a disc titled 'From New Village' alongside violinist Corey Gemmell and soprano Sherry Steele. She has a keen interest in early music and regularly studies with Lucas Harris at the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute and the Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute. Currently, she is pursuing studies in lute building and has been involved in grant-funded residencies in Vancouver, BC, under master builder Travis Carey. Wilma is recognized for her expressive range and technical facility, with critics praising her duo's rapport with the audience. Their two-CD set of complete guitar duets by Fernando Sor has sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide and has received acclaim across various countries, including Canada, the U.S., Germany, France, and Spain. The duo has significantly contributed to the repertoire with new works and transcriptions of prominent compositions, underscoring their versatility and creativity in the guitar field.

Research Interests

Experience