Rolf Bertsch

Rolf Bertsch is a renowned conductor, pianist, and educator with a successful career spanning three decades. Born in British Columbia to Dutch immigrant parents, Bertsch was raised in the United States and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He studied in Salzburg, Oporto, and Essen before returning to Canada for musical studies at McGill University. Bertsch's successful career includes over 3700 concerts, 100 recordings, and numerous tours. He spent over two decades based in Montreal, primarily as pianist, and conductor in residence of the Orchestre symphonique de Montreal.

Bertsch has since settled in Calgary, where he now serves as Artistic Director & Conductor of the Calgary Civic Symphony, Canada's leading community orchestra, and the Instrumental Society of Calgary. He plays piano for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and directs the internationally recognized Academy Piano program at Mount Royal University Conservatory while overseeing a large private studio. Bertsch is well respected as a teacher on the world stage, regularly participating in faculties in China and Europe.

Bertsch believes in the power of the arts to move and enrich the lives of anyone and everyone and works hard to build bridges, reach out, and create conditions and collaborations that encourage magic to happen. He is a father to three and an avid skier and golfer who enjoys fine food and wine in his spare time.