After her piano training as a young student at the University of Music in Dortmund with Prof. J.M. Blome, Bettina Birkenkötter began her studies at the University of Music Würzburg in 1985. Among her teachers were Prof. Detlef Kraus and Prof. András Hamary. She finished her studies in 1994 with a master class diploma.

Bettina Birkenkötter has been awarded numerous prizes and scholarships and has performed as a soloist, lied accompanist and chamber music partner in Germany and other European countries. She also devotes herself intensively to contemporary music. She has worked with the "Ensemble für Neue Musik" Essen and the "Ensemble Kontraste" Nuremberg. Engagements led her to the "Schreyahner Herbst", "Bremer Podium" and "Warschauer Herbst", among others.

In 1996 Bettina Birkenkötter was appointed to replace Prof. Manfred Dietz at the University of Music Würzburg. Since 1997 she has held a teaching position for piano at the same university.