Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellows Bridge Worlds Through Music The fellowship provides opportunities to musicians from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions to grow as artists and bring their culture into the larger Berklee community.
By
Daniel Pesquera
September 20, 2024
Berklee Abu Dhabi Center
Berj Fazlian first heard about the then-nascent Berklee Abu Dhabi Center at the Dubai Culture Expo in 2021, and thought that the offerings were like nothing else he had seen.
Now a third-semester performance major at Berklee College of Music, Fazlian credits a scholarship from the Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellowship Fund, which allowed him to begin his studies in fall 2023, with transforming his life and musical journey for the better.
I'm in Boston right now, and I am still in denial that I got accepted for this scholarship, said Fazlian. Without the help of Berklee Abu Dhabi, it wouldn't have happened and I wouldn't be here. I'm very grateful for this opportunity.
Launched in March of 2023 by Abu Dhabis Department of Culture and Tourism, the fellowship fund offers scholarships to emerging artists from the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region, providing students with access to Berklee's state-of-the-art academic programs and creative spaces around the globe. In addition to Berklee Abu Dhabi and Berklee College of Music, prospective fellows can apply to study at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee Valencia, Berklee NYC, and Berklee Online.
I've been learning so much, and I imagine what I can give back to people in the Middle East. I'm so happy to share what I've experienced.
- Berj Fazlian
To date, the fund has received over 700 applications, with scholarships being awarded to 13 students representing eight countries.
For insight into how the fellowship fund has opened possibilities for these artists, we spoke with Fazlian and fellow scholars Nejma Alkoor and Ahed Alameri about their musical and cultural backgrounds, experience with the program, and future aspirations.
Nejma Alkoor, Third-Semester Professional Music Major Growing up in a family of musicians and educators, Nejma Alkoor, a native of Abu Dhabi, had her mind set on Berklee early on. Alkoor began singing and playing piano at six years old, and soon began competing in singing contests including two appearances on The Voice Kids. In 2021, her mother, an oud player and professor, connected her with Mayssa Karaa, artistic director of Berklee Abu Dhabi, to tour the center and learn more about the academic offerings. Alkoor was immediately struck by the rigor and quality of the coursework and decided to enroll in the Performance Artistry and Learning program (PEARL) as a grade 11 student. Despite juggling the demands of her secondary school and Berklee Abu Dhabi coursework, Alkoor rose to the challenge, becoming the youngest person to earn the PEARL certificate. It was more than I thought, in a good way, said Alkoor. Honestly, I came out of [Berklee Abu Dhabi] knowing so much already and I hadn't even gone [yet] to university.
Nejma Alkoor credits Berklee Abu Dhabi with helping deepen her skills before attending college.
Soon after, Gael Hedding, director of the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center, suggested that Alkoor apply to the fellowship for the chance to study at Berklee's campus in Boston. Alkoor noted the motivation and support from the Abu Dhabi team as a big reason why she applied, despite apprehension about leaving home. I've been in some competitions . . . and after you feel drained, overwhelmed. . . . But when I entered Berklee Abu Dhabi, I felt the support and love, and I was able to do more concerts with my name in the set list. When I saw people being impacted by what I'm singing and getting emotional, it kept pushing me to do what I'm doing, even when it's difficult.
Now in her third semester, Alkoor has found a renewed sense of confidence and purpose in her artistry, citing the musical and cultural diversity at the Boston campus as a major influence on her development. Her performance in the Signature Series concert celebrating the Middle Eastern Music Festival was particularly special, not only because she took the stage at the Berklee Performance Center as a first-semester student, but because she was able to honor her culture through that performance.
I have friends that have been in a position where they don't know if they should move abroad or if they should continue following their passion. I always say, you should go for it, even if you're at a low point in your life or think you're not good enough, because one person can change so much in this world.
Ahed Alameri, Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive AlumnaUnlike many other students pursuing careers in music, Ahed Alameri of the UAE was not born into a family of artists. Instead, she found her way to the piano on her own, magnetically drawn to the instrument at a young age. Alameri's mother, while not having a background in music, recognized her daughter's deep love and natural ability for performance. Alameri would come to earn recognition for her talent from various secondary schools throughout the Emirates, eventually participating in international competitions.
The Fellowship Fund allowed Ahed Alameri to attend the renowned Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive at Berklee.
Image courtesy of the artist
Along the way, Alameri fell in love with classical music and jazz, genres she says have become an integral part of my identity, and continue to inspire and captivate me every single day. Her search to expand her artistic palette would lead her to discover the fellowship fund, through which she applied for Berklee's Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive program. I wanted to experien
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
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...
30/09/2026
Schibsted Media, one of Norways largest and most influential digital media publishers and content producers, has invested in mixers and digital signal processor...
30/09/2026
Big Blue Marble announces the addition of live multiview channels to Cloud Video Kit, its broadcast-grade video processing platform. The feature is powered by A...
30/09/2026
Leading video software provider Synamedia today announced that Telekom Slovenije, Slovenia's largest provider of telecommunications and TV services, is open...
30/09/2026
PODCAST EXPO 2026 Recorded Using Blackmagic Design Workflow
Brie Clayton September 29, 2026
0 Comments
Conference featuring 24 sessions over two days ...
30/09/2026
IBC2026 Show Report
David Kirk September 29, 2026
0 Comments
The International Broadcasting Convention has long been Europe's equivalent of the US...
30/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/09/2026
Mavis has launched Mavis Camera 8.2, the latest release of its professional camera app for the iPhone and iPad. This update brings support for iPhone 18 Pro and...
29/09/2026
Oak View Group (OVG) has announced Cisco as an Official Technology Partner, with plans to standardize infrastructure across its venue network on Cisco solutions...
29/09/2026
SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) won three honors at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
Program awards went to Bucs BP in the Sports Program Live category (produced ...
29/09/2026
The Professional Women's Hockey League has announced home openers for all 12 teams for the 2026-27 season, along with a broadcast partnership with CBC under...
29/09/2026
Manifold technologies has been recognized as a contributor to the Media eXchange...
29/09/2026
FuboTV has announced My Local Sports, allowing subscribers in select markets to add their local regional sports network (RSN) as an add-on to a Fubo Sports subs...
29/09/2026
Asian News International (ANI), a wire agency and video news provider based in India, has deployed Grass Valley's AMPP Media Operating System and Framelight...
29/09/2026
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has deployed Ikegami UHK-X600 cameras as part of an upgrade to IP-based production infrastructure. The deployment ...
29/09/2026
REMI, REMCO models will drive the bulk of the broadcaster's NHL productions ...
29/09/2026
Three years in, the facility is supporting more centralized race production, com...
29/09/2026
NBC, Peacock, and NBSN are carrying all four Wild Card series with a production ...
29/09/2026
19 Nonfiction Projects Across All Stages of Production to Receive More Than $1 million in Support as Documentary Film Program Approaches 25th Anniversary
LOS ...
29/09/2026
Two new plug-ins launch alongside updated bundles
Zynaptiq have just announced the launch of two new plug-ins, alongside new and improved versions of two of...
29/09/2026
All-in-one bus processor revealed
Wes Audio's ng product range has come a long way since it was first introduced, and now includes a tasty selection of ...
29/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Ikegami announces that the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, has chosen Ikegami UHK-X600 camera systems as part of an advance to IP-based operation ...
29/09/2026
Blendkit Offers 20% Discount to Celebrate Crossing 150K Asset Milestone
Brie Clayton September 29, 2026
0 Comments
Blendkit, the largest 3D asset libr...
29/09/2026
Interactive streaming specialist Ease Live supported more than 76.5 million fan sessions across three major European media operators during this summers FIFA Wo...
29/09/2026
Ease Live has added support for VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) to its graphical overlay technology, opening up new ways for broadcasters, streamers and rights...
29/09/2026
Rise AV has announced the launch of the inaugural Rise AV Awards, a new global awards programme celebrating the women, advocates and organisations across the AV...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/09/2026
Clear-Com announced that First Baptist Nashville has upgraded its production communications with a Clear-Com intercom solution as part of a comprehensive sanct...
29/09/2026
Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Captured Action Shots for Sketch
Brie Clayton September 28, 2026
0 Comments
Camera's portable design and dynamic range...
29/09/2026
Kean Production Services Deploys AJA ColorBox to Deliver Consistent, Accurate Co...
29/09/2026
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards A total of 28 Berklee alumni and faculty earned nominations across 20 categories this ye...
29/09/2026
Berklee's K-Pop & Beyond Explores Connections Between K-Pop and Hip-Hop Now in its fifth year, the series brings together artists, industry leaders, and s...
29/09/2026
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, OR AT ANY ADDRESS IN, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITO...
29/09/2026
We tend to think we live in a digital world, with hopes and fears around artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data centres and the next big technolo...
Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellows Bridge Worlds Through Music The fellowship provides opportunities to musicians from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions to grow as artists and bring their culture into the larger Berklee community.
