Rodney Alejandro Named Dean of Professional Writing and Music Technology

13/09/2024

Rodney Alejandro Named Dean of Professional Writing and Music Technology Alejandro, Berklees current Songwriting Department chair and an alumnus of the college, is the first person of both Latino and African American heritage to serve in the role.

By

Media Relations Staff

September 13, 2024

Image by Kenneth Adams

Berklee College of Music has named Rodney Alejandro BM '97 the new dean of the Professional Writing and Music Technology Division, starting September 23. He will succeed Matthew Nicholl, who has led the division since 2019.

Alejandro has chaired the Songwriting Department at Berklee since 2022, following two years as an associate professor at the college. Under his leadership, the songwriting curriculum has evolved to keep pace with rapid shifts in the music industry. He has also emphasized expanding career paths for songwriting majors and developed writing camps that connect students with influential publishers and record labels.

At the age of 19, Alejandro launched his professional career, signing his first major label deal shortly after graduating high school. In the more than three decades since, he has worked in the studio and performed on stage with many of the biggest names in music, including Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones '51, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Luis Fonsi, Selena, will.i.am, Destiny's Child, and the Script, an Irish rock band with whom he toured internationally as keyboardist and musical director.

Alejandro has contributed as a songwriter, producer, composer, arranger, engineer, and instrumentalist to several Grammy- and Latin Grammy-nominated projects from artists such as the Temptations and Olga Ta on. He also worked on the Kumbia Kings album 4, which won Latin Pop Album of the Year at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards. He was the main title composer/producer for the Golden Globe-winning drama series The Shield, and his music can also be heard on Emmy-winning Smallville, as well as long-running programs like Extra and Access Hollywood.

I am excited to announce that Berklee alumnus Rodney Alejandro has been appointed as the new dean of the Professional Writing and Music Technology Division, said Ron Savage, vice president and executive director, Berklee College of Music. An accomplished songwriter and composer for TV and film, Rodney brings leadership and professional skills that have been honed by years of success in the music industry. His deep industry connections and innovative approach to music education will lead us into this new chapter for the division.

I am honored to have been chosen as the dean of the Professional Writing and Music Technology Division at Berklee College of Music, said Alejandro. As the first person of Latino and African American heritage to hold this position, I am excited to partner with the divisions chairs, faculty, staff, and student body. Our collective efforts will focus on furthering the convergence of music and technology, cultivating a culture of innovation and growth within this evolving field, and reinforcing Berklees position as a leader in contemporary music education.

Alejandro graduated with summa cum laude honors as a double major in contemporary writing and production and music production and engineering. He also holds a master's degree in entertainment business from Full Sail University, where he graduated as valedictorian.

As a professional educator, Alejandro has given speeches and master classes on performance, songwriting, and music production at various colleges worldwide, and he has served on the boards of nonprofit arts and education organizations in both the United States and Mexico. In 2006, Berklee honored him as the college's alumnus of the year, and in 2011, he was recognized as music education advocate of the year by the Recording Academy's Texas Chapter, where he continues to serve on the board and as the co-chair of the Songwriters and Composers Wing.

Related Categories

News

Most Popular

Jim Lucchese

Image by Kelly Davidson

Jim Lucchese Named Berklee's Fifth President A 20-year music industry veteran and a committed artist advocate with deep Berklee roots, Lucchese sets the tone for a new era at the institution.

Latest

Old Days: The Tribute to Chicago

Image courtesy of the artist

Chicago's Danny Seraphine to Perform with Berklee Student Ensemble The Grammy Award-winning drummer will also lead a drum clinic during his visit to the Boston campus.

Five Berklee alumni took home Emmy Awards this year.

Five Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards The recipients were recognized for their work on the acclaimed programs The Bear, Sho gun, and Billy Joel: The 100th-Live at Madison Square Garden.

Boston Conservatory at Berklee to Present Center Stage Production of Jesus Christ Superstar Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's acclaimed musical will run September 26 to 29 at Boston Conservatory Theater.

Read All

Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/rodney-alejandro-named-dean-o...
	See more stories from berklee

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

04/07/2026

Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in Dolby Cinemas Across Japan, Presented in Dolby Atmos and Dolby ...

April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 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 Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026