Student Spotlight: Andrea Recalde The vocalist from Quito, Ecuador, talks about songwriting across language barriers, taking inspiration from family, and rediscovering dad-rock.
By
Editorial Staff
December 4, 2023
Andrea Recalde
Image by Raisa Akhtar
What's it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current 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. This week, meet vocalist Andrea Recalde, a fifth-semester songwriting and music business/management double-major from Quito, Ecuador, who performs under the artist name DREA.
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?I didnt plan on attending Berklee initially. In high school, I hesitated to pursue music due to self-doubt and my brothers success in the industry. One day, I saw a Berklee ad on Instagram, and my phone mysteriously led me to the application. Wearing a Berklee shirt at that moment, I took it as a sign and applied. I believe everything happens for a reason, and Im glad I found my passion for music.
Whats been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?My favorite class is conducting with Professor Kristo Kondak i. Conducting connects on an intimate level, and Professor Kondak is teaching style resonates with me. He uses visuals and real-life applications, making learning enjoyable. Conducting is about emotion, body placement, and connecting with peoples energy to shape music. Its been my favorite class this semester.
Whats a project youve worked on since coming to Berklee that youve been especially excited about?One of my favorite Berklee projects was performing an original song in Spanish that I cowrote with a friend/roommate. We performed it at an open mic, and the collaboration, despite the language barrier, was a memorable experience.
Andrea Recalde performs her original song, mientras tu te vas:
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?To recharge and find new ideas, I take walks, long showers, or naps. Sleep is essential for a clear mind. I also meditate, go on walks, read books, and journal to clear my thoughts and spark new ideas. Finding what works best for you is crucial for well-being.
When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most?My biggest inspiration is my brother, who has succeeded in the music industry. Hes taught me about the industry, the value of self-worth, and the power of connections. Collaborating with him has been a privilege, and I aspire to share my music and work with diverse artists like he does.
Whats one piece of advice youd give to your high school self?Advice to my high school self: High school is just a small part of life. Be true to yourself, never change for others, and trust that everything happens for a reason. Relax and let the universe guide your path.
Andrea's Top Five Songs Right NowWe asked Andrea to list her five favorite songs of the moment. Heres what she said:
1. Strawberry Bubblegum, Justin TimberlakeThis track is from one of my favorite albums of all time, and I love the way it switches in the middle, and it seems like its a completely different song, but its not. It's honestly just such a vibe all throughout, and it always makes me want to dance.
2. Cough Syrup, Young the GiantThis song just makes me feel good when listening to it, and it's really fun to listen to on bike rides, which I take every day so its definitely in my top favorites right now.
3. Carolina, Sebastian LlosaI met this artist at a showcase for Warner Music Latino, and I fell in love ever since. His songwriting is amazing, and I love the way his melodies mesh with his lyrics. I also just want to keep promoting him because he is a Latin artist who deserves to be much bigger than he currently is.
4. How You Remind Me, NickelbackI just started listening to this song again, and it's just a classic dad-rock vibe. I enjoy listening to it from time to time and it really is a kind of song that you listen to when you're in a specific mood.
5. The Bird & the Rifle, Lori McKennaI was shown this song by one of my songwriting teachers; she used it to describe third person narratives while telling a specific story, and I love the imagery that is shown.
Related Categories
News
Student Spotlight
Most Popular
15 of the Best Cover Songs (and Why They Work) From Fast Car to Ring of Fire, there's no formula to making a successful cover song. But the best covers answer two important questions.
Latest
Joel Ross
Image courtesy of the artist
Berklee Presents 2024 Spring Signature Series The series will celebrate the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, as well as pay tribute to the music of Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, and Michael Jackson.
Master Tour and the Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) have announced a partnership in which students will be granted access to the platform to manage events and concerts on campus
Berklee and Master Tour Announce Partnership Master Tour will equip up-and-coming tour professionals from the Berklee Popular Music Institute with its state-of-the-art tools.
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Announces Center Stage Performances for Spring 2024 The four spring performances will highlight student talent in dance, music, and theater.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
North America Stories
19/03/2026
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Stanley as Regional Sales Manager - UK & Northern Euro...
19/03/2026
The recently announced joint venture between Accedo One and Magine Pro has been officially launched as Leyra. The new company will combine the two complementary...
19/03/2026
Budapest, Hungary, March 2026 - Demand for traditional matrix switching remains strong across live events, rental and staging markets. With a reputation for rel...
19/03/2026
DPA Microphones adds to its CORE microphone selection with the 4097 CORE Micro Shotgun, which delivers a new level of clarity, headroom and sonic transparency...
19/03/2026
Starfish Technologies will present the latest releases of its TS Splicer (Win) and TS Splicer (K8) at NAB Show 2026, together with a new Monitoring Dashboard de...
19/03/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, has announced that TrueVisions NOW, a leading streaming platform in Thailand, and part of the TrueVis...
19/03/2026
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced significant enhancements to its XOS Advanced Media Processor that lower the cost of broadcast distribution while enablin...
19/03/2026
Cobalt Digital, the leading designer and manufacturer of award-winning signal processing products, and a founding partner in the openGear initiative has announ...
19/03/2026
Magewell a developer of innovative, high-performance video I/O and IP workflow solutions will be at the 2026 NAB Show on booth C6113. In addition to several...
19/03/2026
Triveni Digital, a trusted leader in ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 service delivery, data broadcasting and quality assurance solutions, today announced it will showcase...
19/03/2026
2026 NAB Show Exhibitor Preview
April 19 22
Las Vegas
Booth N.1328
Summary:
At the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Imagine Communications will showcase the lat...
19/03/2026
Broadcast playout leader highlights innovation and industry collaboration
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist...
19/03/2026
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking technologies, is highlighting remarkable advances in performance at NAB Show (booth N1...
19/03/2026
Intinor will showcase several new developments to the Direkt platform at NAB 2026, including enhanced SRT monitoring, expanded HDR transport capabilities and su...
19/03/2026
Broadcasters are rebuilding live operations workflows around IP delivery as satellite and dedicated fibre distribution decline, according to new research from C...
19/03/2026
Berklee Popular Music Institute's 24th Showcase Channels '80s Prom Nosta...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
19/03/2026
It's a double feature on GFN Thursday. This week, GeForce NOW offers smoother sights in virtual reality (VR) and a sprawling new land to conquer.
Streaming...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
Student Spotlight: Andrea Recalde The vocalist from Quito, Ecuador, talks about songwriting across language barriers, taking inspiration from family, and rediscovering dad-rock.
