William Berndt is a free-lance photographer, musician and consultant for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. He served as executive director of the Saint Joseph Symphony from 2004 - 2008, and he previously worked with the Kansas City Symphony for over five years as Artist and Audition Coordinator and Assistant to the General Manager.

Mr. Berndt graduated from Missouri Western State College, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. He has also done post-graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. As clarinetist, Mr. Berndt has performed with many ensembles, including the Missouri Chamber Orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony, and the St. Joseph Symphony; he is principal clarinetist with the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City and has been a cornetist in the Cameron Municipal Band for nearly 10 years, and is fourth trumpet in the Kansas City Civic Orchestra.

In addition a passion for classic music, his personal interests include nature and wildlife photography, vintage jazz, cooking, hiking and kayaking. His wife, Lora, is principal oboist of the Kansas City Symphony; their three “children” are basset hounds Watson and Sophy, and Elsie, a beagle.

www.tophatphotography.com