Liz Berlin

She’s 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, various MTV programs, and many more. Rusted Root's large and loyal following proved a significant draw on tour regardless of radio play, press, or record sales. Their performances have come to be known as somewhat of a celebration.

As a solo artist, Liz delivers a truly hypnotic live performance. Her collection of original songs—sometimes tranquil, sometimes funky, and sometimes raging—are written on a very personal level, and her life experiences unfold like chapters in a book. She explores her imagination thoroughly, projecting the fine lines and shadowy corners of her heart and mind with a sensitive intelligence, leaving audiences enchanted by her many voices.

As a child, Liz Berlin was a founding member of the Children’s Festival Chorus. Singing with CFC, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Opera was the beginning of her musical journey, which spans the worlds of folk, pop, rock, and various ethnic influences, through which she created her own unique artistic style. In addition to a long career as a solo artist, she’s a member of Social Justice Disco (a collaboration with Pittsburgh jazz diva, Phat Man Dee) and Drowning Clowns (internationally featured in skateboard videos by band member and professional skateboarder Evan Smith). She’s also collaborated with diverse artists, merging her songwriting with the lush EDM soundscapes of Table Syndicate and, most recently, exploring the early music of the Middle Ages.

Liz and her husband, Mike Speranzo, are co-owners of Mr. Smalls Recording Studio and Mr. Small's Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA. Here, many luminaries have recorded and drawn sold-out audiences, such as Black-Eyed Peas, 50Cent/G-Unit, Interpol, Smashing Pumpkins, GWAR, Manchester Orchestra, Arctic Monkeys, and Snoop Dogg.

As the founder and director of Creative Life Support (CLS), a not-for-profit offshoot of Mr. Smalls, Liz has developed and taught educational programs focusing on songwriting, production, and artist career development to youth and young adults. CLS’s activities include a not-for-profit record label, Real Life Music Camp, a college internship program, an ongoing concert series, and associated artist programs. Liz and Mike received a Jefferson Award for Public Service in 2013. Liz continues this legacy with We Rock Workshop, a year-round program providing free recording and performance opportunities to current and former foster youth since 2011. She has branched into collegiate-level education, originating and teaching a “Live Music: Touring & Revenue Streams” class for Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College/College of Fine Arts’ Master of Entertainment Industry Management program.