Bernd Hendricks

German Language Consultant, tutor, writer

Berlin Metropolitan Area

About

Teacher of German as foreign language with a passion for intercultural communication who offers classes online & offline. Consultant of opera singers who seek to perfect their language skills. Blogger & writer who published two books about German for opera singers and the linguistics of German libretti. As a language tutor, I teach a wide range of clients: artists, scientists, musicians, and journalists, as well as employees and managers of various Internet start-up firms, a financial consulting firm, a renowned bank, and a global pharmaceutical company. As a language trainer, I collaborate with the British language institute Marcus Evans Linguarama. I am specialized in helping opera singers from around the world pursuing a career in German speaking countries to meet their language needs. I provide workshops about the linguistics of German operas with singers in Berlin, Vienna, and London. For the Berlin Opera Academy, I teach German to young singers and orchestra musicians, stage designers, and stage directors from more than thirty countries. My work is based on my books “Die Frist ist um—Navigate the Language of 10 German Operas,” published in 2021, USA, and “Ach ich fühl’s—German for Opera Singers in Three Acts: Studying, Speaking, Singing”, published in 2014, USA. Between 1996 and 2010, I aquired my international experience as a foreign correspondent for German media in New York City. After obtaining an International House teaching certificate (German as Foreign Language) in Berlin, I founded the Yorkville German Language Course, a series of German courses for foreign professionals in the German capital. Besides my language-related books, I have written and published books on labor issues and Internet technology, as well as two novels, titled “Menschen mit Flagge” and “Illegal.”

Experience

  • Language teacher for opera singers, conductors, musicians, and stage designers at Berlin Opera Academy
    Jul 2018 - Present · 8 yrs

    I teach German to the cast and other opera professionals at the summer program of the Berlin Opera Academy, including theater specific vocabulary and vocabulary of Fledermaus, Hänsel & Gretel, and Zauberflöte that were performed in Berlin.

  • Ach ich fühl's - German for Opera Singers (15 yrs 10 mos)
    • Founder Workshop Series "German for Opera Singers"
      Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

      Language workshops for opera singers from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Israel who pursue a singing career in German speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland): - Ich komme. Haben Sie Zeit? How to write an audition request to agencies in German - Seien wir wieder gut - The Linguistics of Ariadne auf Naxos - O namenlose Freude - The Linguistics of Fidelio - Schubert-Lieder - Various arias from Wagner operas. More information at https://achichfuehls.wordpress.com Watch the feedback video from my Ariadne workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awq5AkP--qg

    • Language Consultant for Opera Singers
      Sep 2010 - Present · 15 yrs 10 mos

      I teach and tutor German to opera singers, adressing their special language needs like pronunciation and deeper understanding of German arias and songs. I customize my language lessons to the needs of opera singers on an audition tour in Germany

  • Founder Yorkville German Language Course Berlin at Freelance language trainer, translator and editor
    Mar 2011 - Present · 15 yrs 4 mos

    I founded the Yorkville German Language Course, developed its curriculum and learning material, and teach courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced students from all around the world.

  • German Language Teacher at Self-employed
    Sep 2010 - Present · 15 yrs 10 mos

    - I provide online classes to groups and individuals from all around the world - I teach classes German as foreign language (DaF) to corporate clients at Linguarama Language Institute, Berlin - I founded the Yorkville German Language Course in Berlin, developed its curriculum and learning material

  • Writer, journalist at Corresponent
    Apr 1996 - Sep 2010 · 14 yrs 6 mos

    I worked as a New York correspondent for German business magazines (Wirtschaftswoche, Neue Energie)