Meet Graduates from Berklees Class of 2024

Meet Graduates from Berklees Class of 2024 Members of this years graduating class reflect on their proudest moments at Berklee and look ahead to whats next.

By

John Mirisola

May 10, 2024

Image by Michael D. Spencer

This weekend Berklee celebrates its latest class of graduates from Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory, and Berklee Online.

On May 11, in ceremonies held at Agganis Arena and the Berklee Performance Center, 1,353 students-representing 64 countries, 49 US states, and ages ranging from 19 to 71-will receive their diplomas and enter into an exciting new phase in their artistic and professional lives.

In honor of this achievement, we asked a few of these students to reflect on their time at Berklee and look ahead to whats next for them. Here are their stories.

Violet Lewis

Image courtesy of Violet Lewis

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Principal Instrument: Voice

Major: Songwriting

What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you've learned here?These past two years as president of Berklee A&R Group have been incredibly exciting and rewarding. We have hosted executives from across the music industry for pitching sessions, Q&As, mentoring sessions, and panels; curated exciting showcases featuring our favorite Berklee talent; learned from each other through dynamic and engaging discussions; made amazing connections in the music industry; and built a really beautiful community here on Berklee's campus. Through my studies as a songwriting major, I've learned what makes a great song, and through my work with Berklee A&R Group, I've learned what makes a great A&R.

What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?I am incredibly excited to be moving back to Los Angeles as an A&R coordinator at Position Music. I look forward to diving in head first and learning from Mark Chipello [head of A&R at Position] and Position's killer A&R team, and I am eager to take the skills I've learned at Berklee and be a positive, uplifting force in the music industry.

Follow Violet on Instagram or visit her website.

Shantel Teixeira

Image courtesy of Shantel Teixeira

Hometown: Dorchester, Massachusetts

Principal Instrument: Voice

Major: Music Business/Management

What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you've learned here?As Ive been preparing to move into this next chapter of my story, it almost felt too intentional that I was blessed not only to receive this year's Career Jam Spotlight Award but also to bring my work in the music business realm to center stage in the concert. As much as this performance marked a new leaf turned in my identity and purpose, it was also a beautiful culmination of all the layers of my being that I've grown through and all the people who've left an imprint on me over the years. I'm ever grateful that Berklee brought me in close alignment with people who saw my soul and showed me true examples of the kind of leadership that is rooted in both community and individual truth.

What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?I will be continuing to pursue my career as an entrepreneur, developing my company ROOTD. Management and overseeing my roster of emerging artists, songwriters, and producers. As a native Bostonian, I have also decided to stay in the city to support local organizations/platforms and invest in building infrastructure to support the Boston market and creative local community. As my story unfolds further down the line, my brand will expand beyond the music industry into philanthropic and philosophical endeavors as my work in local communities as both a dot-connector and a glue-agent amplifies.

Follow Shantel on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Rory Wilson

Image courtesy of Rory Wilson

Hometown: Sheffield, England

Principal Instrument: Composition

Major: Composition (Master of Music)

What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you've learned here?The project I am most proud of during my time here is definitely my graduating composition recital. It represented not only the artistic growth I have gone through during my masters degree, but also the deep musical connections I have made. In one evening, I saw artistic relationships nurtured over the course of two years come to a wonderful fruition, as well as the germination of new ones that will last for years to come.

What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?After graduation I am moving to London, England, where I will be starting work as music director of a small church. I will be developing their choir program, as well as accompanying services and writing a new hymn book for the parish. I also will be overseeing the establishment of a concert series taking place in the parishs flagship, 900-year-old chapel building!

Follow Rory on Instagram.

Asher Stevens

Image courtesy of Asher Stevens

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Principal Instrument: Electronic Digital Instrument

Major: Electronic Production and Design

What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you've learned here?Without a doubt the project I am most proud of is Kidd Revel, a solo music project that has led to my most important career achievements thus far-one of which is my upcoming performance at the Governor's Ball Music Festival via the BPMI [Berklee Popular Music Institute] program, scheduled for June 8, and the other is the debut album that I have been constructing since I declared electronic production and design as my major in 2022, set to be completed as my capstone project in August 2024. As an artist-producer, both of these projects correlate direct

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/meet-graduates-from-berklees-...
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