
Student Spotlight: Mateo Londo o The producer talks about leaving Berklee to grieve the passing of a close friend and fellow student and then returning to finish his degree. He chronicles these emotions in his new song Pachanga.
By
Editorial Staff
September 6, 2024
Mateo Londo o
What's it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks students all about their Berklee experience-what they're learning in class, what kinds of projects they're involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they're listening to. In this edition, get to know Mateo Londo o, a percussionist and producer from Bogot , Colombia, who recently completed his degree in music production and engineering (MP&E).
Check out Londo os work on his website and follow him on Instagram.
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?Music has always been my true passion in life. I am the only musician in my family, and growing up, I was constantly immersed in some form of musical art, driving my parents crazy with all the noise in the garage. Berklee is a dream school for many contemporary musicians, and obviously it was a dream for me too. I knew I would regret not applying, even if it felt out-of-reach. So I prepared my absolute best work and focused all my effort on the potential opportunity of a Berklee acceptance letter. And you know what? It paid off!
My experience at Berklee has been everything and more than I could ever imagine. It wasn't easy, but I wouldn't trade a single moment for the world. In fact my experience was a bit unique, in that I took a seven-year hiatus before returning to finish my degree. In 2015, with only two semesters left before graduating, my close friend and Berklee peer Stacey Park passed away. Her death was extremely unexpected and traumatic. Transparently, my sadness was so consuming that I wasnt able to focus on my education; so I stepped away from Berklee for a little while. It took a long time (a lot of personal growth and healing) to be ready to return to a place that I associated with tremendous pain and joy.
I might not have gone the traditional route, but I accomplished something that I am so proud of.
- Mateo Londo o
Going back to school farther into adulthood meant working multiple full-time jobs, while also balancing classes and more responsibilities than I had my first time around. If I'm being honest, it was really hard. But here I am-a Berklee graduate! I might not have gone the traditional route, but I accomplished something that I am so proud of. I now think of each new opportunity and endeavor with a similar mindset-always give it your all; you never know unless you try.
Whats been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you? I have truly enjoyed so many of my classes. One that I found endlessly engaging and interesting was MTEC-420 Advanced Mastering, Editing, and Delivery with Jonathan Wyner.
Whats a project youve worked on since coming to Berklee that youve been especially excited about? Pachanga has been my biggest vision goal in all of my Berklee career since joining the MP&E Department. During my first orientation with MP&E in Studio 1 (Shames Family Scoring Stage), the department leaders explained the capability of recording all three Berklee studios simultaneously. It was at that very moment that I made it my mission to be the first student to make it happen. After months of organization, dedication, creative collaboration, and persistence, I received approval from the MP&E Department to move forward with my huge team to make this dream a reality.
Watch Londo os ambitious project come to life in the video for Pachanga, featuring vocalist and Berklee student Gaby Villamizar, who performs as Zesi:
How did the song Pachanga come about, and what does it mean to you?
The Pachanga artwork is an original design by Berklee student Pierangela Dozsa.
In Colombia, our culture is very rich in music, food, and community-but above all, we are joyful. We try to have the mentality that even when life is hard and brings you down, there is still a reason to celebrate. I wanted to write a song that encompassed the feeling of community, with a Latin twist that honored my Colombian heritage. The meaning of pachanga roughly translates to party in Spanish, and I wanted to create something that portrayed the importance of celebrating life regardless of life's ups and downs. Pachanga is meant to take the listener on a celebratory journey of emotions-where a melodic hornline is repeated throughout the song in variations, demonstrating a party through all seasons of life. In addition to pursuing a unique and never-done-before engineering challenge, this project provided the platform for representation and appreciation of Latin culture.
What's next for you? Any projects or opportunities you're looking forward to?I am currently packing up my life in Boston and preparing for a cross-country move to LA. I am mixing three albums, all to be released within the next few months, and I am trying to find a mastering assistant position out in LA.
5 Songs from Mateos Favorite ArtistsWe asked Mateo to pick five songs from some of his all-time favorite artists. Heres what he said:
1. PaMayte, Carlos VivesCarlos Vives is a Colombian artist that I grew up listening to. My parents would play his music while cleaning the house or driving to the store. Carlos Vives's Pa'Mayte is the epitome of happiness in my opinion and always lifts me up when Im feeling down.
2. Beat It, Michael JacksonNeed I say more? The king of pop will always hold the crown, and this song combines my two favorite genres: pop and rock.
3. Halleys Comet, Billie EilishHalley's Comet is an absolutely beautiful song that has had a choke hold on me since it was released. From the pro
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
07/08/2026
Berklee City Music Presents Nine Scholarships and Awards at Annual Concert Student recipients from seven states and Canada received scholarships, housing awar...
07/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/08/2026
Riedel Communications at IBC2026: Live Production Experience Showcasing Integrated IP Production Workflows
At IBC2026, Riedel Communications will bring modern ...
07/08/2026
Shotoku Showcases Expanding Aura PTZ Ecosystem and Award-Winning Swoop Robotic Crane at IBC2026
Shotoku Broadcast Systems will officially introduce its Aura fa...
07/08/2026
Highlights will include new Dante fiber connectivity, expanded IPMX capabilities and award-winning signal processing solutions
Cobalt Digital, the leading des...
07/08/2026
Bob Moses Concert at Red Rocks Captured with URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 6, 2026
0 Comments
PYXIS 12K and URSA Cine 12K LF enable cinematic c...
07/08/2026
Use It or Else Is Not an AI Implementation Strategy
Andy Marken August 6, 2026
0 Comments
Source - Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe, Touchstone Pi...
07/08/2026
On 6 August, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium concluded nego...
07/08/2026
The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked is also back with all the behind the scenes drama...
06/08/2026
The broadcaster's 14-race schedule begins in Iowa and ends in November with ...
06/08/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
06/08/2026
As media organizations consolidate teams, technology platforms, and content libr...
06/08/2026
Firmware updates introduce Dolby's next-generation picture engine, content-aware optimization, and new motion and ambient-light tools...
06/08/2026
TNT Sports will have wall-to-wall coverage of the upcoming FIBA Women's Bask...
06/08/2026
swXtch.io (Stand 5.MR13) has unveiled groundSwXtch for Audio over IP (AoIP), a software application that lets broadcasters and media organizations move audio in...
06/08/2026
At IBC2026, Riedel Communications (Stands: 10.A24, 10.A31, 10.A38) will bring modern media production to life with the Live Production Experience - a connected ...
06/08/2026
The first live-sports director to receive the prestigious honor, eight-time Emmy...
06/08/2026
NBC Sports will continue to present the Preakness Stakes on NBC and Peacock thro...
06/08/2026
Cobalt Digital (Stand 8.F90) continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering...
06/08/2026
Wave Central has promoted promotion Jeff Daubert to Director of Sales, Americas.
In his expanded role, Daubert will lead Wave Central's sales strategy and ...
06/08/2026
KMH Integration is expanding its ability to serve media, broadcast, and IT organizations by adding Keith Hanadel, an accomplished architect with decades of indu...
06/08/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has promoted Michele Ferreira from Vice President of its Systems Integration team to the newly created position of Chief Business O...
06/08/2026
Demonstrations will include new JPEG XS, Dolby audio, cloud-gateway, stream-processing, and distribution capabilities...
06/08/2026
The deal includes three premium mobile units, engineering personnel, existing br...
06/08/2026
Broadcast Management Group produced Amazon Prime's inaugural Obsessed Fest a...
06/08/2026
Exhibit will feature new variable-ND functionality, OLED viewfinders, remote-camera tools, and UHD production monitors...
06/08/2026
Compact full-frame E-mount lens targets sports, wildlife, and other long-range shooting applications...
06/08/2026
Live broadcast will honor Roger Federer and Mary Carillo on Aug. 29, with onsite...
06/08/2026
End-zone board receives higher-resolution LED technology and an updated Show Control system ahead of the 2026 football season...
06/08/2026
New 16- and 32-pad MIDI controllers now available
Fender have just announced that the two new performance-focused controllers that were unveiled at NAMM 202...
06/08/2026
Standalone version, performance improvements & more
Lewitt have just released a significant update for their speaker and room virtualisation software, intro...
06/08/2026
Combines celeste samples with synth engine
After launching earlier in 2026 with deFORM, ebbandflow have returned with their first sampled acoustic instrumen...
06/08/2026
SGL Carbon's consolidated sales in the first half of 2026 totaled 394.2 million, down 13.0% from the prior year (H1 2025: 453.2 million). On the one hand,...
06/08/2026
The BBC has announced casting for the forthcoming six-part series Hercule from Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited.
Joining Bluemel are Henry Ashton (A ...
06/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/08/2026
Proven offering builds on more than 20,000 live sporting events with greater automation, flexibility, and operational control
LTN , the industry leader in tran...
06/08/2026
Hornets Tech, a specialist in broadcast connectivity and IP video, is bringing a new range of encoders, decoders and an IPTV platform to IBC2026.
Broadcast in...
06/08/2026
Introducing Adobe for ChatGPT: Create, edit and get work done - all in ChatGPT
Deepti Pradeep August 6, 2026
0 Comments
The Adobe plugin in ChatGPT br...
06/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/08/2026
At IBC2026, MediaKind will make its first major appearance as a unified global powerhouse in video, showcasing one of the world's most comprehensive video i...
06/08/2026
Big Blue Marble (#5.A63) will demonstrate how its integrated technology and operational expertise help media companies scale premium services with less complexi...
06/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research has received more than $500,000 in first-year fund...