Camerata Di Magdalena is a nonprofit 501C3 volunteer organization which raises money for feeding the homeless of South Florida through the Holy Grill of St. Nicholas. There is no cost or fee to join. It is by necessity a small ensemble and so space is limited. We are a unique student group under the guidance of Eric Berken with a focus on the practice and performance of music from the Baroque era. If you would like to experience the opportunity to make a real difference in this world through music, consider attending one of our performances or perhaps joining our ensemble!
Take a listen to our interview on WLRN!
OUR FOUNDER
Eric Berken
Eric Berken has been studying the violin since the age of five. His primary teachers are Wei Shu Co, Liane Bliss, Gary Kosloski, and Paul Mackerra. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance and Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Bowling Green State University where he studied conducting under Emily Freeman Brown. Mr.Berken has also studied conducting under Dwight Oltman, Kirk Trevor, Donald Portnoy, and Leonard Bernstein.
Mr.Berken has been a private violin and viola teacher throughout his lifetime. Many of his students have gone on to professional careers in music and have attended major international festivals and competitions. He is cofounder and past director of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra in Cleveland, Ohio and also Conductor Laureate of the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra Philharmonia in Oberlin,Ohio. He is a former director of the Heights Chamber Orchestra based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Today he is the founder and director of Camerata di Magdalena which is a small conductor-less group of young musicians (ages 9 through 18) who give seven performances each season to benefit the homeless of Broward county. Mr.Berken is also a composer having written numerous chamber works for all instruments and specializing recently in works for string ensemble which are often performed by Camerata di Magdalena.
Helping the Homeless One Concert at a Time