Berkman, Samuel_1981/06/22, Oral History, June 22, 1981

Dean of Hartt College of Music of the University of Hartford, Samuel Berkman is one of the original founders of Hartt College and the Julius Hartt School of Music. He is a life trustee of the Julius Hartt Musical Foundation. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College in Hartford, and studied piano at Hartt with Julius Hartt, Moshe Paranov and Harold Bauer. Dean Berkman has served on the faculties of St. Joseph College and Kingswood School in West Hartford. A member of several national and local professional music organizations, he is former chairman of the Eastern region of the National Association of Schools of Music and Is a member of the Connecticut State Advisory Committee on Music Education. His performing career has included many solo piano recitals and duo-piano programs with his wife, Irene Kahn, They reside in West Hartford, Connecticut. Their son, John, is also a musician and has been conductor for several hit Broadway shows. In 1964 Dean Berkman was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music by the University of Hartford, and in 1965 was honored at the University's first "Charter Day" observance for his 45 years of service at Hartt College.