Shelly Berg

Shelton Glen "Shelly" Berg (born August 18, 1955) is an American pianist, composer, arranger, orchestrator, and producer. He is the Dean and Patricia L. Frost Professor of Music at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

Shelly Berg was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of business entrepreneur and jazz trumpet player Jay Berg, and writer Lorraine Merle Joseph Berg. At the age of six he entered the Cleveland Institute of Music studying classical piano. At age 9 he composed his first work, for children's choir and orchestra, for the opening of a new synagogue. His father took him to sit in at jazz jam sessions beginning at age 12, and he was introduced to gospel piano by organist Ricky C. Watkins, son of Pentecostal Church Bishop Charles Watkins. In junior high he was the piano accompanist and played in orchestras for Heights Youth Theater, as well as summer stock musicals. He was also accompanist for the vocal group Happiness Unlimited.

At age 15 Shelly Berg moved with his family to Houston, Texas where he continued his classical piano studies with Lucien Lemieux. He performed at jam sessions with jazz saxophonist Arnette Cobb, and gigs with blues legend Gatemouth Brown. He was the student conductor for choirs at Clear Creek High School, and played French horn and trumpet in the band.

He earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (1977, summa cum laude) and a Master of Music in Piano Performance (Composition, Conducting, 1979, summa cum laude) from the University of Houston School of Music where he studied piano with Albert Hirsh, and was the student conductor for choir and orchestra. During his freshman year he subbed for a week with the Woody Herman Band, and performed throughout his college career with a variety of touring professional artists. He also served as a lecturer at the University of Houston, 1979-1981, and a teaching assistant in music theory, 1977-1979. The University of Houston named Shelly Berg a "Top Ten" Student (out of 40,000) in 1977, as well as a "Top-Five" Graduate in the College of Fine Arts.

Shelly Berg began his career at San Jacinto College North in Northshore, Texas, as Chair of Instrumental Music, 1979-1981. He then served as Chair of Instrumental Music and Commercial Music at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas from 1981-1991. He performed extensively in professional groups including Larry and Marilyn and the Brass Connection, featuring trumpeter Larry Martinez and singer Marilyn Savage. He learned to play Latin montunos from Kido Zapata during this time. He composed and arranged music for regional and national advertising campaigns, and maintained an active performing and recording career with artists ranging from Country music singer Mickey Gilley to jazz trombonist Bill Watrous.

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