The Howard County Concert Odyssey’s October 3, 2021, concert with the Barclay Brass is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and former Board member, Nancy Berla, who passed away on May 10, 2020.
Nancy graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Oberlin College and worked for many years at the University of Michigan, as assistant director of the Institute for Public Policy Studies. In 1980, Nancy and her husband Mike moved to Columbia, Maryland. An avid musician, Nancy joined the Howard County Concert Odyssey Board in 2007.
Nancy performed on the piano and recorder. She enjoyed playing duets with her daughter Susan playing the violin and Nancy playing the piano when they visited. Ms. Berla organized and played and led a weekly sing along at Vantage House for many years. She was a member of Harvest Moon, a trio of women who performed at retirement and assisted living facilities in the Columbia area. She provided piano accompaniment for many friends and acquaintances.
She will be missed by the Odyssey and the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Michael, her children Tim Berla, Susan Moore, Julie Berla, and Toby Berla, and her grandchildren.