College Profile: Berklee College of Music

I recently had the opportunity to visit Berklee College of Music and enjoyed learning about this incredible school for aspiring music professionals. Located in the wonderful Back Bay area of Boston, the school is surrounded by amazing restaurants and shops, and is only a short walk to the Charles River and boundless opportunities all over the city. Boston is a town full of colleges, so this area of the city feels youthful, vibrant and full of diversity.

1. History and Innovation:

Berklee was founded in 1945 by Lawrence Berk with a vision to teach jazz and contemporary music, which was quite radical at the time. Over the years, it expanded its scope to include various styles such as rock, hip-hop, electronic, and film scoring, becoming one of the most diverse music schools in the world. It is now a world leader in contemporary music education. The Boston Conservatory merged with Berklee in 2016, adding a deep connection with classical music, theater, and dance​.

2. A Global Community:

Over 4,000 Berklee students hail from over 100 countries, making it a vibrant international hub for musicians. It offers a unique blend of cultural diversity and creativity. Fun fact: Berklee has more Grammy-winning alumni than any other music school!

3. Traditions:

Traditions include annual events like the Middle Eastern Festival and Singers Showcase, a must-see event where top student vocalists perform iconic songs. Berklee students can major in fields like performance, film scoring, or music production, with access to top-tier faculty and cutting-edge facilities.

4. Outcomes:

Berklee College of Music is renowned for producing many successful alumni who have significantly impacted the music and entertainment industries. Notable attendees include:

• John Mayer, Grammy-winning musician.

• Quincy Jones, producer and composer with 80 Grammy nominations.

• Esperanza Spalding, jazz bassist and singer, also a Grammy Award winner.

• Alex Lacamoire, Tony Award-winning orchestrator for Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen.

  
  

Graduates from Berklee often find job opportunities in music production, composition, sound design, performance, and music education, with strong networking connections through alumni and faculty.

If you are interested in a music-focused education for college, then Berklee might be the right place for you. I encourage you to visit in person, if you can, so you can see all that the area around the school has to offer. You can also check out the website here.