Student Spotlight: Rachel McFarlane The Canadian composer talks about being drawn to the storytelling power of scoring for film and video games, working with sound libraries, and boosting visibility for composers of color.
By
Editorial Staff
March 14, 2025
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. In this installment, get to know violinist and composer Rachel McFarlane, an eighth-semester dual major in film and media scoring and games and interactive media scoring (GAIMS) from Canada.
Follow Rachel on Instagram, LinkedIn, and her website.
Rachel McFarlane
Image by Teddy Kent
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?I started writing for live ensembles when I was 16. After gaining some recognition in Canada, I realized I wanted to pursue composition after high school instead of my initial path, violin performance. I graduated in May 2020, and if there was one thing COVID gave me (and many others), it was time. I used that time to research schools around the world to figure out where I wanted to go.
That summer, I took two Berklee five-week programs online: the High School Composition Intensive and Film, TV, and Game Scoring Program in LA (though in reality, the latter took place in my living room). While the first program focused more on live concert music, I really connected with the film scoring course because it showed me just how much music can enhance storytelling. I learned so much about film technology, music, and emotional landscapes in such a short time that Berklee quickly became my top choice.
Whats been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?Audio Foundations for Interactive Media with Gina Zdanowicz was an absolute blast. As a composer, most of my classes focus on music, but this course showed me how much energy goes into sound design for video games. We explored how to add our own foley and sound effects using [software programs] FMOD and Unity, and even got the chance to create audio assets for game developers at USC. It was a really cool experience getting to see how music and sound design come together in interactive media.
Whats a project youve worked on since coming to Berklee that youve been especially excited about?It's not just one project, but I've really enjoyed collaborating with sample libraries like Orchestral Tools on social media. Their Berlin Orchestra Library that they developed with Berklee is a part of our school bundle, but beyond that, I've had the privilege of creating mockups for film and video game scenes using their other libraries. It's been an awesome experience, and I highly recommend their tools for anyone working in composition or sound design!
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?Fitness is a big one for me! it's a great way to reset after long stretches of work, and I tend to get the best ideas when I compose right after a workout. I also try my best to just enjoy video games without overanalyzing the horizontal sequencing or RTPCs [Real-Time Parameter Controls] (hahaha).
When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most?The people who inspire me most are musicians of color who have continued pursuing music while questioning whether it was a realistic career path for them. I'm on track to be the first Black student to graduate with the GAIMS major and the GAIMS/film double major, which is really exciting! I try to use my social media platforms to educate and be a source of visibility for my community, so others know that people like me exist in these spaces, and that we've always been here.
My first Black violin teacher was Tanya Charles, and before her, I had never seen anyone who looked like me in classical music. She, along with incredible composers like Chanda Dancy, Amanda Jones, EmmoLei Sankofa, and Kathryn Bostic, have been a huge inspiration. Having the privilege to meet and learn from artists like them reassures me that I'm on the right path.
Whats one piece of advice youd give to your high school self?I would tell them that at this point in your career, you've had the privilege of meeting so many musicians and composers that you look up to, and even they don't have it all figured out. So don't stress about trying to control everything! Uncertainty and curiosity are key parts of the creative process so learn to embrace the unknown.
Rachel McFarlanes Top Five Film and Game ScoresWe asked Rachel to give us five of her favorite media scores. Heres what she said:
1. Reborn, Colin Stetson, from the film Hereditary
2. All About Reggie, Kris Bowers, from the TV show Dear White People
3. Felixs Suite, Anthony Willis, from the film Saltburn
4. Mud and Blood, Johan S derqvist and Patrik Andr n, from the game Battlefield 1
5. Frostfall, Jeremy Soule, from the game Skyrim
Related Categories
News
Student Spotlight
Most Popular
Toto in the recording studio from Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary.
Photograph by Jim Hagopian/HBO
The Best Music Documentaries on Every Streaming Platform Explore groundbreaking music documentaries streaming across Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and more. From intimate artist portraits to legendary concert films, discover the stories behind your favorite artists and iconic moments.
Latest
Matanzas Sound Map on display at Tate Modern in 2025.
Tate / Reece Straw
Neil Leonard's Matanzas Sound Map Brings Immersive Sonic Cartography to Tate Modern's East Tank Blending field recordings, video projections, and glass sculptures, the installation immerses visitors in the sonic landscapes of Matanzas, Cuba.
B
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
05/03/2026
Clear-Com has provided Gen-IC virtual intercom, its cloud-based voice communications system for SaxaVord Spaceport, the first fully licensed vertical launch s...
05/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives and executi...
05/03/2026
LynTec, a leading manufacturer of electrical power control solutions for professional audio, video, and lighting systems, today announced that its new Dual DMX ...
05/03/2026
Snicket Labs is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with ES Broadcast for its award winning solutions, Match and Enrich.
Under the agreement, ES...
05/03/2026
LiveU today announced the first large-scale deployment of its AI-driven LiveU IQ (LIQ ) technology at a global, multi-venue sporting event, setting a new benchm...
05/03/2026
March is in full bloom, and that means a fresh wave of games heading to the cloud. 15 new titles are joining the GeForce NOW library this month.
Leading the Ma...
04/03/2026
Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the governing body for Italy's premier basketball...
04/03/2026
Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds will host a first-of-its-kind ...
04/03/2026
The countdown is underway and with just 100 days to go until the world's greatest sporting event begins on Thurs., June 11, FOX Sports, America's Englis...
04/03/2026
No matter where they are in the world, service members and veterans can stream N...
04/03/2026
Telemundo officially releases Somos M s, the anthem for the network's cove...
04/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives, and execut...
04/03/2026
Smith Entertainment Group transformed how local sports are consumed by creating ...
04/03/2026
The production method, which spans a distance of 36.2 miles, was designed and im...
04/03/2026
Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and...
04/03/2026
When Hugues Meyrath came out of retirement to take the helm as CEO of Quantum, i...
04/03/2026
Last week's launch of Banana Ball Championship League has spurred a significant upgrade of production facilities
The Savannah Bananas, arguably the hottest...
04/03/2026
sldkfjsdlfkjsldkfjsldkjfslkdjfslkdjfsl
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...
04/03/2026
For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...
04/03/2026
In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...
04/03/2026
Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we&#...
04/03/2026
Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...
04/03/2026
Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
04/03/2026
KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open...
04/03/2026
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage
Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recen...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities
Business
04 March 2026
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to clipboard
After launching the Netflix Ad...
04/03/2026
Scripps Research welcomes healthcare innovator Joe Kiani to the Board of Directors Kiani brings decades of experience in patient safety and public service.
Mar...
04/03/2026
Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus Scripps Research scientists reengineer critical proteins on the surface of HCV, paving th...
03/03/2026
Beyond Sports, a Sony group company, and LIV Golf, the world's golf league, ...
03/03/2026
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces the launch of Detroit SportsNet (DSN), a year-round broadcast home for two of Detroit's franchises. With flexible op...
03/03/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...
03/03/2026
The PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports extend their media rights agreemen...
03/03/2026
AI device ecosystem company HONOR enters into a strategic technical collaboratio...
03/03/2026
Cleveland's Telos Alliance, pioneers in broadcast technology for 30 years, l...
03/03/2026
The MD 9235 microphone head for wireless handhelds has been a firm favorite with many engineers and artists for its ability to cut through high on-stage levels ...
Student Spotlight: Rachel McFarlane The Canadian composer talks about being drawn to the storytelling power of scoring for film and video games, working with sound libraries, and boosting visibility for composers of color.
