Student Spotlight: Joshua Griffin

Student Spotlight: Joshua Griffin The New Orleans native, who was named the 2026 student commencement speaker for Boston Conservatory at Berklee, talks about how dance has transformed him.

May 1, 2026

By

Editorial Staff

Image by Junia Morrow

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 Joshua Griffin, a choreographer from New Orleans majoring in musical theater with a dance emphasis.

Joshua was named the Boston Conservatory at Berklee student commencement speaker for the class of 2026. You can follow him on Instagram and his website.

Tell us about your path to Boston Conservatory at Berklee. What made you decide to come here?For me, picking a school was so hard. I had spent all of high school working on my craft, so I knew I wanted a place that really fit all aspects of who I am, not just one piece. Senior year, my parents took me on a college tour to visit my top choices, so I could figure out where home really was. I felt everything! I was excited, overwhelmed, and unsure, but then we got to Boston, and I fell in love instantly. Like, didn't even want to leave for the next school type of love.

My parents clocked it immediately and knew I had found my place. There was just something about the music and art at Berklee that felt like home. And listen, coming from the South, the East Coast was definitely a culture shock at first, but the moment I went to my first jam session and took my first tap class, I felt it. Little pieces of home woven into everything. It was a long journey but, honestly, exactly the one I needed.

What's been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?I could probably answer this with just one word: Dance.

My favorite classes at Boston Conservatory have, hands down, been my dance classes. I've taken jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, and tumbling, and I genuinely can't get enough. I've never seen myself transform as a performer the way I have through my dance training. It's been kind of wild (in the best way).

I have so much respect and gratitude for every teacher who's poured into me, because dance has given me this whole new way to communicate-one that feels really unique and really beautiful. I came into the Conservatory leading with my voice, and now I'm walking into dance classes all over the city with my head held high. These classes built my confidence, made me feel strong, and lit a whole new fire in me. Every time I stepped into a studio, I grew. And that's something I'll carry with me forever.

Shoutout to some of the incredible teachers who shaped that journey:

Jazz: Ramone Owens, Tommy Coye, Michelle Chass

Tap: Aaron Tolson, Derick Grant

Ballet: Rachel Miscenich-Catanzariti

Tumbling: Jacob Skeffington

Hip-hop: Heather Myers, Francois Noel

For Career Jam 2026, Joshua Griffin choreographed Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge.

Image by Brittany Queen

What's a project you've worked on since coming to Boston Conservatory at Berklee that you've been especially excited about?One of the biggest projects I've been working on since stepping onto Berklee's campus has been choreography and really finding my own voice through movement. I knew I wanted to be a choreographer the very first time I tried it back in high school, when I choreographed a number for my senior showcase. After that, I was hooked.

Since then, I've been given opportunities I honestly never imagined, and one of the biggest (and most meaningful) has been Career Jam. For the past two years, I've had the absolute pleasure of being both the choreography awardee and the musical theater awardee, which is kind of wild to even say out loud. And let me tell you it has taught me so much.

We actually just wrapped a huge number to Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge that I choreographed (video coming soon)! I'm really excited for people to see it. But even looking back at last year, the work I created as the choreography awardee is something I'm still incredibly proud of. It's been a journey of growth, risk, and a lot of trusting myself. And I'm just getting started.

Watch Joshua's choreography to Textbook at Career Jam 2025.

How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?I spend a lot of time with my friends. It's my favorite way to shake off the stress of school and career stuff. And honestly, it feeds my artistry too. As artists, we're constantly pulling from real life, and how can we recreate life if we're not actually living it? I love to travel and try new things, especially things that have nothing to do with being creative. It gives my brain and body space to just experience life, which always ends up circling back into my work in the best way.

Also, I'm a huge thrifter and fashion lover. I believe a solid 95% of my wardrobe is thrifted, and I take real pride in that. There's just something so satisfying about finding those little gems that feel so you. At the end of the day, I think it's so important to find the things that make you happy and nurture them outside of your craft, because that joy? It will show up in everything you do.

There was just something about the music and art at Berklee that felt like home.Joshua Griffin

When you think about your own future, who inspires you most?Thinking about the future definitely scares me sometimes, but I think it's because I feel a real responsibility to make the people who paved the way for me proud. I'm always drawn to people who look like me, who've lived through similar struggles, an

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/student-spotlight-joshua-grif...
	See more stories from berklee

North America Stories