Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Rhoda Bernard '94
Dr. Rhoda Bernard is the Founding Managing Director of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education and the Assistant Chair of the Music Education Department at Berklee College of Music. She holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in government from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Music with academic honors in jazz voice from New England Conservatory. She earned both her Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Bernard regularly presents keynote presentations and research at conferences throughout the U.S. and abroad, and she provides professional development workshops for educators in local, national, and international forums. Her book, Accessible Arts Education: Principles, Habits, and Strategies to Unleash Every Student's Creativity and Learning was published in September 2025. Her work has been published in several book chapters and in numerous journals. Bernard has been honored with the Irene Buck Service to Arts Education Award from Arts|Learning (2023), the Berklee Urban Service Award (2017), the Boston Conservatory Community Service Award (2011), the Boston Conservatory Faculty/Staff Spirit Award (2007), and the Outstanding Dissertation Award, Honorable Mention (Second Place) from the Arts and Learning Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association.
An active arts education advocate, she is the immediate past chair of the Arts Education Advisory Council of Americans for the Arts, and she serves on its speakers bureau. A vocalist and pianist who specializes in jazz music and Jewish music in Yiddish and Hebrew, she performs regularly with a number of klezmer bands and has recorded two CDs with the band Klezamir.
Why did you choose NEC?
I chose NEC because of the flexibility in the Jazz Department to study improvisation with teachers who play instruments other than voice—I worked with 2 pianists, a drummer, and a trumpet player.
What have you been up to since graduating from NEC? What projects have you been working on? Do you have any goals you are looking to accomplish?
I have become an international leader in the field of Accessible Arts Education, arts education for people with disabilities. I created an Institute at Berklee that is dedicated to increasing opportunities for people with disabilities in all aspects of visual and performing arts education.
I recently published a book, Accessible Arts Education: Principles, Habits, and Strategies to Unleash Every Student's Creativity and Learning. I did a Fulbright residency in Dublin, Ireland, and I regularly travel the world giving keynotes, presenting at conferences, and giving residencies.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time at NEC?
The opportunity to perform in Jordan Hall, particularly being the featured singer in the Kosher Koto Jewish Music Ensemble.
Share a story about one of your favorite faculty or studio instructors.
One would be Bevan Manson—an incredible flexible teacher who really figured out how I learn best. Another is Ran Blake—the teacher who meets every student where they are and gets to know them deeply.
How have your NEC experiences shaped your artistic approach?
At NEC, I learned how much impact a teacher can have, particularly when students feel seen, heard, and understood as individuals. I also learned how to concentrate deeply and focus my energy and attention—which has helped me immensely as a performer and public speaker.
Share any other stories about what has inspired you at NEC and beyond.
I was deeply inspired by the work of Hankus Netsky ’76, ’78 MM and others in the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and I have had the opportunity to perform with them at a bunch of concerts and functions. I was blown away by how Hankus, Ran, and Bevan all have heard so much music and can draw from so many influences when they create, compose, perform, and improvise.
Do you have any advice for young musicians/current NEC students?
Think about the music that you loved when you were a child—this music is what shaped you, and it might be the key to your musical journey at NEC and beyond.
Learn More About Rhoda:
Current Job: Founding Managing Director, Institute for Accessible Arts Education & Assistant Chair, Music Education Department, Berklee College of Music
Degree: Bachelor of Music
Class Year: 1994
Major: Jazz Studies
Instrument: Voice
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