| David Berntson, Tulsa musician and educator was awarded the 2006 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) in Education Award by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee on January 28, 2006. Each year, the Blues Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to blues music. Berntson was honored for his continued work in blues education, both in Tulsa and throughout the country. A gifted harmonica player, Berntson has shared his passion for the blues with countless youth over the years. In 1987, Berntson founded the Tulsa Blues Club, Tulsa's original blues appreciation organization, and created his blues education program. As a Prevention Educator and Drug/Alcohol Counselor, Berntson found many opportunities to share his enthusiasm and knowledge of the blues with young people. Using his contacts in Tulsa area schools, he developed his unique "Blues in the Schools" program. His ongoing partnerships with the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, the Blues Society of Tulsa, and private funding has allowed him to reach thousands of students. Blending blues music with character education, Berntson presents his curriculum at alternative schools for at-risk youth, after-school programs, and in traditional classroom settings. Participants range in age from Kindergarten-12th grade. Most recently, Berntson has been using the harmonica to reach teenagers who are incarcerated at L.E. Rader Center, Oklahoma’s maximum security juvenile detention facility. Berntson has presented programs at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (formerly the King Biscuit Blues Festival) in Helena, Arkansas, the Bishopstock Blues Festival in Exeter, England, the Nothin’ But the Blues Festival in Bloomington, Illinois and at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa. In April, 2005, Berntson was the Artist-in-Residence for the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, funded, in part, by the Iowa Arts Council and corporate contributions. He has also been the keynote speaker for the Oklahoma Teen Conference and a presenter at the National Prevention Symposium, always using the harmonica as a means of connecting with the participants. In 2010, Berntson toured the Middle East with the Little Joe McLerran Quartet on The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. Organized by Jazz at Lincoln Center for the US Department of State, the tour included performances, workshops, jam sessions and master classes. |
| Crossroads Learning Experience |
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| Blues in the Schools |
"I am quite impressed with David's ability to relate with
students of all ages. His knowledge base is astounding and his
ability to captivate students while relaying information is quite
a gift"
Linda McCutchen, Counselor,
Lone Star School
students of all ages. His knowledge base is astounding and his
ability to captivate students while relaying information is quite
a gift"
Linda McCutchen, Counselor,
Lone Star School
| Blues Education at Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School, Manama, Bahrain |
| Helena, Arkansas |