MUSICIAN

Recognized as a founding member of triple-platinum selling group Rusted Root, Liz Berlin’s creativity has grown to be a viable force in any project she applies herself to. Over the course of 30 years Liz has toured the country with Santana, the Allman Brothers, Joan Osborne, Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow, Page and Plant, Jewel, The Wailers, The Grateful Dead and many more.  She has appeared with Rusted Root on numerous national television shows such as David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and VH-1’s Hard Rock Live, and their music has been featured in several films and TV shows such as Ice Age, Twister, and various MTV programs. Rusted Root’s large and loyal following has proven to be a significant draw on tour regardless of radio play, press or record sales. And their performances have come to be known as somewhat of a celebration. But that is only part of who she is.

Singing as a child with the Children’s Festival Chorus, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Opera was the beginning of Liz Berlin’s journey through the worlds of folk, pop, rock, and various ethnic influences, through which she has created her own unique artistic style. As a solo artist, Liz Berlin’s performances are highly anticipated. She is also a member of Drowning Clowns which is fast becoming a regional draw and gaining international attention, with songs featured in numerous skateboard videos by band member and professional skateboarder Evan Smith and others. And Liz has teamed up with one of Pittsburgh’s favorite jazz divas, Phat Man Dee, on a new project, “Social Justice Disco: Songs to Fight Fascists By”. But most recently, a new collaboration with Table Syndicate is taking Liz Berlin into a new realm of musical expression, merging her songwriting with their lush EDM soundscapes.

EDUCATOR

As the founder and director Creative.Life.Support, the non-profit offshoot of Mr. Smalls Theatre & Recording Studio, Liz Berlin has developed and taught a series of educational programs focusing on songwriting, production and artist career development to youth and young adults of a variety of ages and learning abilities over the last 20 years. Creative.Life.Support, provides positive recreational activities for the youth culture of the Pittsburgh area by bringing advanced technologies & opportunities in media arts to aspiring artists, athletes & creative professionals.  Among its activities are a non-profit record label, music camps, an on-going concert series, and a college internship program. Her longest-running and most impactful program, We Rock Workshop, provides free recording classes for current and former foster kids, and associated artist programs. For these efforts, Liz Berlin received the Jefferson Award for Public Service in 2013, which was created by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Samuel Beard to establish a Nobel Prize for public and community service. Most recently she has branched into the collegiate level, having taught a Live Music Touring class for Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College Masters of Entertainment Management program for five years.

ENTREPRENEUR

Liz Berlin has put her experience and success to good use in her many other ventures as part owner of Mr. Small’s Theatre and Mr. Smalls Recording and Mastering Studio in Pittsburgh, PA. National acts such as Interpol, Smashing Pumpkins, GWAR, Dierks Bentley, Pierce The Veil, Manchester Orchestra, They Might Be Giants, Anti-Flag, Arctic Monkeys, John Hiatt, My Chemical Romance, and Snoop Dogg have all drawn sold-out audiences to Mr. Smalls Theatre. And Mr. Smalls Recording Studio has hosted the likes of Roger Daltrey, Meatloaf, Anti-Flag, Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent/G-Unit, Keller Williams and Ryan Adams.

 

 

Button photographs by Erica Dilcer Photography