Ben Carlson-Berne became enamored with music at the age of three when he began keeping time to radio music during car trips. This grew a passion, leading to piano lessons and a deep love for classical music.

By the time he was a teenager attending Wyoming High School, his father recalls asking him to turn down the music—opera music. 

"I often tell this story, you know how you have to yell at your kids to turn down the music, well, I had to scream at our son to turn down the opera music," said Phil Berne. "We thought it was funny, even at the time."

Inspired by a community service project, Ben decided to introduce classical music to children through the former nonprofit, the Arts Consortium, based in downtown Cincinnati. He was committed to the idea of introducing music to children who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. This effort grew into giving lessons and enlisting his parents’ help in finding pianos for the children he taught.

"He said, 'the kids want to learn how to play piano and they can’t practice because they don’t have a piano, so we need to get them pianos," recalls Ben’s mother, Susan Carlson. "We would get donated pianos from people, and I would rent a U-Haul, and we would push them into people’s apartments downtown."

Dealing with a tragic loss by helping others

Tragically, Ben died in hiking accident in 2002 at the age of 19. Two years later, Phil and Susan created a scholarship fund, honoring his musical legacy by offering private music lessons to children and teenagers through local nonprofits.

Recently, the scholarship has moved under the umbrella of CCM Prep at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, which will allow the scholarship to continue in perpetuity. Phil and Susan, along with Ben’s cousin, David Berne, have made a $1.7 million estate gift, creating the Ben Carlson-Berne Endowed Fund for CCM Prep.

Offering a wide variety of programs in music, dance and theatre arts for people of all ages and abilities, CCM Prep’s focus includes classes for adults, young children, teens and pre-professional students preparing for a future in the performing arts.

"It’s the perfect home for the scholarship," said Susan, explaining that CCM Prep aligns with the scholarship’s commitment to sharing classical music with youth with a demonstrated financial need.

What’s unique about the scholarship honoring Ben is it’s need-based, not talent-based. It also follows a student through their musical journey; they receive funding until they graduate high school.

"We’re helping kids appreciate beautiful music and art," said Phil, "showing them what it takes to be excellent in any field."

Maggie Perrino, assistant dean for CCM Prep and Community Engagement at CCM, worked with Phil and Susan in her previous role at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. She says the Ben Carlson-Berne Endowed Fund "will continue to put music in schools and provide private lessons to students as it has always done, in tandem with our other public-school programs."

Around 400 students in Cincinnati Public Schools have benefited from the scholarship, since its inception and as the fund’s endowment grows, so will its impact.

"I really think about Ben and how he thought music put good into the world," said Perrino. "He wanted to give that to the world and his parents have really lived that mission for more than 20 years. They’ve taken all the love and passion they had for Ben and given it to everyone else’s kids."

A connection between two families

Adolphus McCullum gravitated to percussion before the age of five. A rising senior at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, he is a long-time recipient of the Carlson Berne scholarship and began private lessons at age seven. His hard work and persistence have earned awards from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Ohio Music Education Association. He’s competed in solo and ensemble competitions with several local high schools.

"My plans for my future are to go to college for marching band and major in music and computer science," he said. "I want to be a head section leader for the drum line, and I want to become a music teacher and teach percussion to middle school and high school students."

His sister, Allyssa Early-McCullom, is a former scholarship recipient who earned degrees from UC Blue Ash and Full Sail University. She is now a working violist, collaborating with musicians and songwriters.

"It’s been a joy working with Phil and Susan," said Sharon Early-McCullom. "They have made sure my kids have private lessons so they can play for the rest of their lives. Ben’s life continues because of what his mother and father are doing for other students."

Ben Carlson-Berne: A living legacy

At the time of his death, Ben was a student at the University of Wisconsin, majoring in piano performance and international studies. His parents say he was handsome, had many friends and a deep love for art and beauty. Wyoming community neighbors and friends honored him with a memorial at Wyoming High School. His parents had it inscribed it with a quote that reflected a value important to their family: the Shakespeare quote, "This above all, to thy own self be true."

When Susan and Phil think about the 400 plus students that have benefited from Ben’s memory, it gives them great comfort.

"He would be so gratified," Susan said in relation to her son and the continuation of the important work he began as a teenager. "It’s a living legacy for Ben." "He would say, 'you go Mom, you go Dad,’" said Phil.

Featured image at top: CCM Village. Photo/UC Marketing + Brand.