Mr. Berens started playing trumpet as a 5th grader at Canterbury Elementary School in Crystal Lake, IL, starting an adventure in music and performance that led him to become the band director at Parkland. He attended Illinois State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2007 and received his Master's Degree in Music Education from Vandercook College of Music in 2013. Before coming to Parkland, Mr. Berens taught band, chorus, and general music at North Prairie Junior High School in Winthrop Harbor, IL. He was awarded teacher of the year in 2011 just before accepting his current position at Parkland School. 

Mr. Berens has been active as a trumpet player since graduating high school. He spent time as an active-duty Army Bandsman and served with the 4th Infantry Division Band at Ft. Hood, Texas before he became an Army Reservist. He continues to serve with the 484th Army Band in Arlington Heights, runs operations for the unit, and is the leader of the Brass Quintet. He has also performed with the Northshore Concert Band, the North Suburban Wind Ensemble, the College of Lake County Wind Ensemble, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, the Illinois Brass Band, and the Brass Band of Central Illinois and performs on occasion as a free-lance trumpet player. Mr. Berens is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Illinois Music Educator's Association, Illinois Grade School Music Association, and Phi Mu Alpha men's music fraternity. 

When he's not at Parkland. Mr. Berens enjoys spending time with his wife, twin kindergartners boys, and their little brother, staying fit by taking Les Mills classes in his basement and becoming less fit by watching a good movie and eating a delicious, unhealthy meal.