An Inside Look into the Nashville Music Scene Student Angela Morano reflects on how Berklees spring break industry trip to Music City sharpened her songwriting and networking skills.
April 5, 2023
Image by michelangeloop/Envato Elements
Over spring break, Berklee students attended industry trips to L.A., Nashville, and New York City. Here, Angela Morano, a participant from the Nashville trip, shares highlights from the experience in her own words.
Angela Morano
From songwriting clinics with Gillian Welch '92 and Gary Burr to bluegrass jamming at the Station Inn, this year's Berklee's Nashville trip was an unforgettable experience that allowed me and my fellow students to peer into the lives of industry professionals, many of whom were also Berklee alumni.
Arriving in Nashville after a nearly 24-hour bus ride, students got right to work fostering their new friendships (courtesy of the bus ride) and exploring the city. On Saturday, we kicked off the trip with a mind-blowing clinic from songwriter Gary Burr who walked us through his song Can't Be Really Gone. Getting to hear the in-depth explanation of each line and melodic choice was inspirational to say the least. He closed out his clinic with his song A Thousand Wild Horses, which immediately brought tears to my eyes and has continued to make me emotional each time I listen to the song.
This intriguing clinic set the precedent for the rest of the trip-every speaker that came in had such a personal story regarding their climb to success, giving hope to the starry-eyed students that sat patiently in the audience. Not only did the daytime speakers provide useful information, but there were engaging events in the evening that allowed for students to participate and get a taste of life in Nashville.
Jamming at the Iconic Station Inn The Station Inn is an old-school, seated music venue that is so popular, it eventually becomes standing-room only. People of all ages come together to watch seasoned bluegrass musicians sing and play all into one microphone hanging from the ceiling. You have to really listen to understand the lyrics over all of the hooting and intense guitar fingerpicking, but lyrics aren't really the point, despite it being a Nashville venue; its more about the community that forms in the venue every single night. Berklee students got up and joined these skilled bluegrass musicians, adding layers of trombone, guitar, and flute.
Gary Burr performs for students at Warner Music Nashville.
Image by Stefanie Henning
Claude Kellys Hard-Won Career Wisdom The more time we spent in Nashville, the more all of our notebooks filled up with quotes, advice, and song lyrics that resonated with us. Another speaker that blew me away was Claude Kelly B.M. '12-singer, songwriter, and producer for artists such as Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and Miley Cyrus, to name a few. Kelly's path to success was not an easy one. I believe that learning about these hardships incurred from pursuing music as a career was a very insightful and realistic conversation to be had with the students. After hearing about his experiences, we listened to familiar songs such as Circus by Britney Spears, My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson, and Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus-all of which Kelly worked on. It was truly a delight witnessing such success from a Berklee alum as well as getting to see first-hand that many genres of music exist in Nashville, not just country music.
Years of Experience in Five Days The Berklee Nashville trip helps to highlight the importance of acknowledging the great legends of the music industry, while also encouraging students like myself to go to Nashville and contribute to the new wave that is crashing on the shore of the music industry. Being able to peer into the lives of professionals who started just as we are is an unreal experience, and I think that everybody should attend this trip-especially my fellow songwriters! I have gained what feels like years of experience from these action-packed five days. From bluegrass jams and emotional seminars to networking events and Berklee alumni concerts, the Nashville trip is a must for all aspiring musicians and industry professionals.
Follow Angela Morano on Spotify.
Berklee students and alumni at Warner Music Nashville
Image by Stefanie Henning
Related Categories
Berklee Blogs
Most Popular
Berklee President Erica Muhl
Image by Kelly Davidson
Berklee to Hold Inauguration of President Erica Muhl in April Muhl is the fourth-and first female-president of Berklee.
Latest
Next Jazz Legacys 2023 cohort of awardees
Image courtesy of New Music USA
Next Jazz Legacy Announces 2023 Cohort of Women and Nonbinary Awardees The program was created by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice to address gender and racial inequities in jazz.
ABLE Assembly Explores Arts Education for Individuals with Disabilities Hosted by the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education, this year's event will feature the first-ever ABLE Showcase concert.
Image by michelangeloop/Envato Elements
An Inside Look into the Nashville Music Scene Student Angela Morano reflects on how Berklees spring break industry trip to Music City sharpened her songwriting and networking skills.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
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...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
An Inside Look into the Nashville Music Scene Student Angela Morano reflects on how Berklees spring break industry trip to Music City sharpened her songwriting and networking skills.
