Berklee

College
of Music
 Contents
04 Who We Are

08 Berklee by the Numbers

10 What We Believe

12 The Beat of Boston

16 What You'll Learn

18 Standout Faculty

20 Specialized Programs

24 Campus Life, Community, and Support

26 Career and Alumni Connections

28 Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Transfer Credit

30 How to Apply

32 Other Ways to Engage with Berklee

34 Start Your Journey

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 Who We Are Berklee continually cultivates its own promise—stretching, expanding,
and reinventing itself in a rapidly changing world. In recent years, Berklee
has opened new campuses in New York City and Valencia, Spain, and
Dynamic. Influential. Wildly creative. grown Berklee Online into the world’s largest online music school. In
Berklee College of Music is the leading educational 2016, the Boston Conservatory—the oldest and one of the most prestigious
institution of contemporary music, located in one of the conservatories in the U.S. for dance, music, and theater—joined forces with
world’s great artistic cities. We give talented musicians Berklee College of Music, establishing a performing arts training institution
creative outlets and commercial skills. Since 1945, unparalleled in its breadth and depth. As a combined institution, Berklee is
generations of artists have broken the mold at Berklee. an education powerhouse with global reach and vast cultural impact.

We know that musical careers demand a blend of

nurturing, networking, and technology. We equip
students with cutting-edge knowledge to pursue timeless
dreams. We connect them with advantageous internships
Berklee College of Music
and professional connections. Long after graduation,

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Berklee is a hub for a generous, distinguished network
of alumni who inspire, mentor, and elevate.

Berklee NYC

Berklee Online

Berklee Summer Programs

Berklee Valencia

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 Each year, Berklee
is recognized as one
of the top music
colleges worldwide.

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Berklee by the Numbers “Berklee helped
me define myself
A Berklee degree has global influence. Our innovative curriculum, exceptional faculty, career
opportunities, and accomplished alumni set us apart. Each year, we’re recognized as one of the top
music colleges worldwide by publications such as Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Forbes. as a composer.”
- TAIJEE SHAVERS '23

5,000 undergraduate students

+

1,000 courses
+

1:6 undergraduate faculty-to-student ratio

$90M in scholarships awarded annually
+

100 countries represented in student body

+

87% of students employed in their field

of study within 18 months of graduation

330 alumni Grammy wins

+

350 ensemble opportunities,

+
the most of any college in the world
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 What We Believe
We believe in the value of contemporary music. Music is the
universal soundtrack of the human experience. We focus on today’s
music in all its forms—from songwriting and performance to music
therapy and video game sound design—and shape its future.

We believe in the power of diversity. Berklee draws students from

more than 100 countries. Different ideas, opinions, backgrounds,
cultures, identities, and histories amplify inspiration and innovation,
deepen the educational experience, and boost creativity and careers.
We care for each other and for the well-being of our community.

We believe that connections are crucial. This includes connections

between traditions, instruments, and art forms; institutions and artists;
and alumni, faculty, and students. We spark these interactions across
our campuses. We nurture a dynamic, inclusive, supportive, and
collaborative global arts community that opens doors and
unlocks dreams.

We believe in our ability to make a difference. Not only in music

education, but in the power of all creative expression—and in the
careers and lives of artists like you.

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 The Beat of Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, is home to our flagship Now, it’s still the city of choice for performers
campus. It’s the birthplace of the American who value our open-mindedness, creativity, and
Revolution, and the spirit of that revolution hasn’t expansiveness. From underground speakeasies to
stopped. This is a city of firsts, of rich history and historic jazz clubs to some of the world’s most
modern innovation. It’s reflected in our music prestigious concert halls, Boston buzzes.
scene: bohemian yet sophisticated, polished berklee.edu/boston-campus
but audacious.

This is where music critic Jon Landau watched

an unknown Bruce Springsteen perform,
declaring that he saw the future of rock and roll.
It’s where Joan Baez gave her first folk performance,
known only as “girl with a guitar.” It’s where Miles
Davis chose to stage his comeback; where
Aerosmith, The Cars, J. Geils, and Tracy Chapman
first electrified audiences; and where Leonard
Bernstein and James Taylor got started.

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 Exceptional Studios
Our Boston campus houses 16 professional production facilities on
par with major Hollywood studios and commercial enterprises. At
our custom-built facility at 160 Massachusetts Avenue, you’ll find a
10-studio music production complex, among the largest of its kind in
the United States. It’s also home to the Shames Family Scoring Stage, a
2,200-square-foot studio where up to 50 musicians can record at once.
berklee.edu/facilities

Professional Performance Venues

Berklee produces thousands of events every year. Some are major
events, staged in our 1,215-seat Berklee Performance Center, a nucleus
of the Boston artistic community. Others happen spontaneously, in
our 400-seat dining hall. Music echoes throughout campus, always. It’s
our philosophy and our language.

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 Bachelor of Music Majors Jazz Composition
Build on the rich history of jazz by

What You’ll Learn Black Music and Culture

Engage with and contextualize the
historical, social, artistic, and cultural
contributions of the global African
creating compositions and musical
scores for a variety of ensembles
and musical settings.

Berklee College of Music offers two undergraduate degree types: a diaspora at the intersection of arts Music Business/Management
and culture—namely music, dance, Learn the fundamentals of the music
Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts. Many of our Bachelor of Music and theater. business from a musician’s perspective.
majors are also available as a Professional Diploma program, which puts a Dive into the legal, financial, and artistic
nuances of the contemporary music
heavier emphasis on the study of music with fewer liberal arts courses. Composition business industry.
Gain inspiration and world-class
instruction in composition, conducting,
or related fields by studying a Music Education
variety of composition techniques, Realize your dream of teaching and
Bachelor of Music Majors Bachelor of Arts in Music instrumentation, and orchestration. mentoring the next generation of
musicians. Learn how to meet the needs
All first-year students take Berklee’s core Industry Leadership of diverse learners by using the latest
music curriculum, designed to solidify and Innovation Contemporary Writing and Production pedagogical practices.
musical understanding and technique before Develop your writing, arranging,
declaring a major. You’ll be matched with The Bachelor of Arts in music industry and producing acumen in a diverse
classes fitting your individual level of leadership and innovation program gives community of professional musicians, Music Production and Engineering
musicianship to study the following topics: students a foundation in design thinking with the necessary skills to work in a Develop expertise in engineering,
and strategic leadership in one of three studio environment. production, editing, mixing, and
specializations: marketing and product mastering. Master the latest tools
Arranging and techniques and gain essential
development, licensing and administration,
Ear Training or emerging technologies. No audition or Electronic Production and Design experience to meet the changing
Excel in a world where experimentation, demands of the recording industry.
Harmony instrument proficiency is required—this
artistry, and technology meet. Learn
program provides access and opportunity to use technology to create and
Tonal Harmony and Counterpoint for non-musicians/performers to pursue a produce compositions, sonic design, Music Therapy
Music Technology music industry career. and instruments. Use music’s power to connect people,
Ensembles berklee.edu/music-industry-leadership heal trauma, and improve quality of life.
Gain real-world experience through
Instrumental/Vocal Performance Labs Film and Media Scoring internships and clinical research.
Private Instruction Learn to compose, arrange, and
conduct music for film, television,
and video games. Performance
While completing your degree over eight Learn the skills, concepts, and
semesters, you’ll pursue the major (or methodology for your principal
possibly two) of your choice. Our curriculum Game and Interactive Media Scoring instrument to pursue the highest levels
blends creativity with practicality: You’ll have Develop modern approaches to of professional performance.
a full year to explore degree options and video-game-scoring in state-of-the-
identify your interests before declaring your art studios and scoring labs using
major. A few majors require a secondary compositional techniques, game and Professional Music
application for admission to that major. You media technology, and interactive Innovate and design your own musical
scoring methodologies. path through Berklee’s expansive
may change majors after declaring, but this
curriculum. Work with advisors to
could add time to your degree. curate an educational plan tailored to
berklee.edu/majors Independent Recording and Production your goals.
Develop skills to become an effective
music producer at the intersection of
art, aesthetics, and commercial viability. Songwriting
Using the personal DAW-based toolkit of Master melody, harmony, arranging,
the independent producer, record, mix, and lyric writing, and build a competitive
and master music at an advanced level. portfolio of original songs. Learn to write
16 artfully and gain essential skills to create 17
commercially viable material.
 Standout Faculty
Berklee faculty have thrilled audiences on world stages as musicians and orchestrated
stunning performances behind the scenes as producers, composers, managers, and
more. You’ll have a front-row seat in the classroom, thanks to a 1:6 faculty-to-student
ratio. These industry leaders will become your mentors, collaborators, and industry
connections. berklee.edu/faculty

Our faculty have:

• Produced albums for Prince, David Byrne, Mary J. Blige, Nine Inch Nails, Destiny's
Child, Radiohead, Tina Turner, Dave Matthews Band, Lou Reed, P. Diddy, Usher,
Warren Zevon, Hole, Los Amigos Invisibles, and more

• Performed with Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Lalah Hathaway,
Susan Tedeschi, Steven Tyler, John Mayer, Sting, Hank Jones, Yo-Yo Ma,
Dave Holland, Jill Scott, and more

• Scored and orchestrated award-winning movies, television shows, and video

games such as Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Grudge 3,
Bioshock Infinite, League of Legends, Strata, Pet Sematary, Ghost Rider, Wild Wild
Country, and more

• Won Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy awards

• Been published in research journals, and authored industry-leading books

“It was all or nothing, and

that's why I'm at Berklee.”
- MERCEDES ESCOBAR '25

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 Specialized Programs Study in Spain
Our campus in Valencia, Spain, brings the
Berklee trademarks—accomplished faculty,
Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program best-in-class studios and equipment, and
The Harvard–Berklee Joint Studies program allows students to engage in coursework at a dynamic, diverse student body—to the
Berklee while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Harvard University. The program benefits iconic City of Arts and Sciences. As an
musically and intellectually talented students who wish to pursue a contemporary music undergraduate, you can experience Valencia
education at Berklee and a rigorous liberal arts education at Harvard. Students receive alongside fellow Berklee musicians through
their Bachelor of Arts after four years, and have the option to pursue a master’s degree our First Year Abroad program or our
(either an M.M. or M.A.) at Berklee. berklee.edu/harvard-berklee semester-long Study Abroad program.
There are also several graduate and summer
programs offered on the Valencia campus.
berklee.edu/valencia

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 Berklee is your
launchpad, where
you’ll improve,
evolve, and advance
as a musician.

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 Campus Life,
Community, and Support
Connect Create
Your first year will be filled with music, From baroque synthesizer to Afro-pop,
exploration, and creative breakthroughs. Berklee offers over 350 ensembles—the
This is a community of more than 5,000 most of any school, anywhere. In your first
passionate musicians in the heart of a major semester as a Bachelor of Music student, we’ll
city—but rest assured you won’t be left to place you with an ensemble based on your
navigate it on your own. Specially chosen preferred genre and audition rating. After that,
Berklee student ambassadors show you the you choose. berklee.edu/ensembles
way. This advising service is available
to all students: Ask questions, get tips,
make friends.

Meanwhile, our Student Success team

offers numerous resources to ensure
you’re supported while on campus,
including one-on-one tutoring and new
student mentorship. They’ll help you find
your rhythm. berklee.edu/campus-life

Thrive with Berklee Bridge

Berklee Bridge is a network of student success services, support, and resources
that exists to guide you, from enrollment to graduation, on your unique journey to
achieve your academic and personal goals. Our cohesive support system brings you
the right people at the right time to provide guidance that is customized to help
you thrive at Berklee. berklee.edu/bridge

Academics Health and wellness

Accessibility International travel and visas
Careers Registration
Community Student employment
Diversity and inclusion Technology support
24 Enrollment Title IX 2525

Finances and tuition

 Career and
Alumni Connections
Career Center Career Jam
The Berklee name matters. The moment you Our signature day-long event introduces
join our community, you’ll gain access to students to exceptional career options every
personalized career advising and a multitude year. In the past, Pharrell Williams has
of resources to position you for a career that’s dropped in to offer advice; Donald Glover
artistically, financially, and personally fulfilling. joined us for a keynote interview; execs
Our Career Center provides one-on-one from Snapchat and Redbull have hosted
expert assistance with résumé and cover networking events; and music publishing
letter workshops, internship and job pros from Disney Music have screened songs.
guidance, networking events, and more. This is where ambition becomes reality.
berklee.edu/career-center berklee.edu/career-jam

Career Communities Internships

Explore career paths by industry, program, Berklee students are in demand. We place
and location—and discover how Berklee students with internships alongside industry
places you at the center of it all—on our professionals in music hubs such as Los Angeles,
Career Communities website. Nashville, and New York City. You’ll build
berklee.edu/careers marketable skills, establish professional
relationships and connections, and gain inside
perspectives crucial for keeping pace with
an evolving industry. Both for-credit and paid
opportunities are available—as well as a Berklee
fellowship to help fund related moving and
living expenses. berklee.edu/internships

Big Names, Big Reach, Big Possibilities

The Tony Award–winning musical director for Hamilton. The first
woman to score a superhero film. Selena Gomez’s co-writer. The vice
president at Interscope A&M. All of them graduated from Berklee.

Every year, such accomplished alumni return to speak, share, and

teach. They offer insights and enviable access that will open your
eyes and doors. Our reach is global, and our network is vast, both
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behind the scenes and in the spotlight. berklee.edu/alumni
 Apply for Financial Aid
Financial Aid, Scholarships, To be considered for need-based aid, we encourage
all U.S. citizens and permanent residents to fill out the
and Transfer Credit FAFSA and CSS Profile. International students should fill
out the CSS Profile.

Earn Scholarships
Your Path to Berklee
All applicants are considered for merit-based
We want to ensure you and your family have a sound financial plan to pay for a scholarships, which are offered based on the quality
of the applicant’s academics, audition, interview, and
Berklee education. From merit-based scholarships and transferable credits to supplemental information such as extracurricular
state, federal, and institutional aid, there are many options to consider. activities and test scores. Approximately 40 percent of
the entering class receives a partial tuition scholarship
each year. While the majority of scholarships offered
Attending Berklee is a long-term commitment, so it’s important to are partial tuition, Berklee does offer a limited number
develop a financial plan to support your goals. We view all sources of financial of full-tuition scholarships and presidential scholarships
aid as supplemental to your family’s resources for college. Many students covering tuition, room, and board.
berklee.edu/scholarships
utilize a combination of funding sources, including college savings plans,
federal aid, scholarships, grants, student employment, payment plans, Transfer Credits
and more. berklee.edu/student-financial-services If you have previously completed college-level
coursework, you are invited to submit an official
transcript from a regionally accredited online or
campus-based institution for transfer credit evaluation.
Requesting to apply transfer credit to your degree is a
cost-saving measure that can help make your time at
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Berklee more affordable.
berklee.edu/transfer-credit
 How to Apply The Audition
The audition is your chance to shine. You’ll
perform in front of accomplished musicians
The Interview
Your interview with an admissions
representative will touch on your goals,
who share your love for music and under- aspirations, and potential contributions
• Submit your application form.
stand your drive to succeed. to Berklee. Think about:
Complete your form online and pay
the nonrefundable application fee. We seek the most diverse and skilled musi- • How have you prepared for Berklee?
Standardized tests such as the ACT cians, which is why we hold audition tours
and SAT aren’t required. across the globe. Auditioning at our Boston • What are your professional/career goals?
campus offers a unique Berklee experience,
including campus tours and student perfor- • Why do you want to study at Berklee?
• Send your supporting materials. mances. Visit our website to see where you
Submit your official, up-to-date can find us next, learn about instrument-spe- • How will you contribute to our diverse
academic transcripts. For credits cific guidelines, and view practice questions community?
earned outside of the United States to help you get ready.
berklee.edu/audition-interview • Why is being a part of an inclusive
or Canada, you will need to submit a
environment important to you?
credit evaluation report to complete
your application. Preparing for
Your Audition While applicants to the Bachelor of
• Submit English language test Arts in music industry leadership
scores. If English is not your first The audition is your first chance to work and innovation are required to
directly with a Berklee faculty member. complete an interview as part of the
language, submit a PTE Academic,
The audition is just 15 minutes long, but
a TOEFL, or an IELTS score. application process, they are not
it covers a lot of ground, including:
required to audition.
•A prepared piece
• Complete your audition and/or
interview. We offer auditions both • Improvisation
in person and online.
• Sight-reading
berklee.edu/apply
• Ear training

International Applicants: More than

40 percent of Berklee students are
from outside of the U.S. We offer a
wealth of information on our website
to help international applicants
navigate their credential evaluation,
English language test, and, if admitted,
Form I-20 and F-1 student visa.
berklee.edu/international-applicant

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Other Ways to “There's nowhere
Engage with Berklee else like Berklee.”
- DANIEL RAMOS '23
Summer Programs Global Partner Schools
Experience Berklee before the school We partner with educational
year starts. Choose from precollege institutions around the world that
offerings in music, theater, or dance at our enable you to complete up to two full
campuses in Boston or Valencia, Spain, or years of study before coming to Berklee.
online. Play in a band, mix in our studios, Review each institution’s credit-transfer
and learn from the same world-class agreement to understand which courses
faculty and visiting artists who teach will easily transfer to Berklee College of
during the school year. Students who Music. After successful study at one of
attend our most comprehensive these institutions, you’ll be prepared to
program—Aspire: Five-Week Music apply to Berklee, and, once admitted,
Performance Intensive—have the arrive ready to join our community to
opportunity to earn college credit and complete your degree.
audition for an undergraduate program berklee.edu/global-partners
while they are on campus.
berklee.edu/summer

Berklee Online
Study with Berklee’s faculty and indus-
try experts at our award-winning online
school before you enter college, and
pursue your education wherever you are.
With four term starts each year, Berklee
Online provides individual 12-week
courses, multicourse certificate programs,
and fully accredited bachelor’s and
master’s degrees. It’s also a great way to
sharpen your foundational music skills
while sampling the Berklee educational
experience. berklee.edu/online

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Start Your Journey
If music is central to your life; if you want to actively build your
skills, knowledge, and network; if you want to place yourself among
a diverse, talented, and ambitious group of students, faculty, and
alumni in one of the world’s greatest music cities, then you belong
at Berklee College of Music.

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1140 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215 USA
[email protected]
+1 800-BERKLEE (+1-800-237-5533)

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