Celebrating Women's History Month with Berklee and Spelman College Students Idriemeka Bailey and Madyson S. McSwain open up about their experiences in the inaugural exchange program.
By
Colette Greenstein
March 29, 2024
Idriemeka Bailey
Image courtesy of the artist
Madyson S. McSwain
Image courtesy of the artist
Berklee and Spelman College have fairly different institutional identities, but, in the fall of 2023, the two schools did have one thing in common-together, they launched an inaugural domestic student exchange program to promote educational opportunities in music and liberal arts to female-identifying students of African descent.
The Berklee-Spelman exchange program was conceived several years ago by its founding director Tia Fuller, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, saxophonist, bandleader, and professor in Berklee's Ensemble Department. Fuller, a magna cum laude graduate with a bachelor's degree in music from Spelman College, collaborated with Paula Grissom-Broughton, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Spelman, to develop the program. Fuller's inspiration stemmed from a life-changing musical experience at the historically Black all-women's college in Atlanta, Georgia.
The two students selected were Berklee sophomore Idriemeka Bailey, who hails from New Orleans, and Spelman junior Madyson S. McSwain, who lives in Atlanta. Bailey was able to take political and music classes at Spelman as well as across the AUC [the HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) consortium Atlanta University Center]. I made the absolute most of the exchange program, says the sophomore. When I got to Spelman, I joined the Spelman NAACP chapter, Spelpreneur (an entrepreneurship program), and Spelmanites United for Justice.
While at Berklee, I learned so much about myself. I pushed myself as a student and artist, and I'm truly proud of my execution.
- Madyson S. McSwain
For McSwain, a singer concentrating in production and music technology, it would be her first time coming to Boston, and she intended to make the most of her experience at Berklee. I was able to take all the classes I wanted and I loved all of them, says the junior. I also got to attend workshops with two visiting artists, Rico Love and PJ Morton. Ms. Tia Fuller also made sure I was notified of things to be a part of and helped me get into the best ensemble with Ms. Mimi Jones.
Now, back at their respective colleges for the spring semester, they discussed why they participated in the exchange program, the adjustment to new cities, and what they learned about themselves.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Did you have any expectations about the exchange program between Berklee and Spelman, and if so, what were they?Idriemeka Bailey: My expectations for the exchange program were for Madyson and I to leave with a more enriched perspective on our culture and music. I knew that Spelman would offer an environment that catered to uplifting professional Black women in their choice of field, and I was eager to join.
Madyson McSwain: Honestly, my only expectation through this exchange was to grow my education in music. Having the opportunity to go to Berklee and having a candy store of courses to choose from, I knew and expected that I would have fun classes and learn so much.
Why did the two of you want to participate in the program?Bailey: I participated in the program because I grew up in a predominantly Black background. Growing up in New Orleans, I always felt like I was constantly being embraced by the warm weather, fantastic food, rich culture, best music, and powerful history. When I decided to come to Berklee, I traded my environment from the warm embrace to the fast-paced gush of wind I know as Boston. Spelman, to me, was another opportunity to feel that familiar embrace in a different context and learn about Atlanta's culture. Also, Spelman is and has been the. . .No. 1 HBCU for 17 years running. . .and it's an all-women's institution. Black excellence at its finest!
McSwain: I wanted to participate in this program for three main reasons. Reason number one is that it was a huge opportunity to attend a music school and live out my Victorious [an old Nickelodeon show] dreams. I also have never been satisfied with just being able to sing. I've always wanted to stretch my gift and learn more. Secondly, it was a huge honor to kick off this amazing program and go down in history for my school's music program. Finally, this was also an opportunity for me to attend school with my cousin, which we've always wanted to do. And it also allowed me to meet my social media friends in person for the first time.
Idrie, how was your overall experience attending Spelman? Did you experience any culture shock?I give my overall experience at Spelman a 9/10. I got to experience so many different things while in the AUC. There was no culture shock. I felt right at home because, in a way, it was like another home. Being surrounded by all that Blackness, talent, and inspiration was like I was right back in New Orleans.
Madyson, how was your overall experience attending Berklee? Coming from Atlanta did you experience any culture shock?My overall experience at Berklee was fun. I will say there was definitely culture shock coming from Atlanta and attending an HBCU. However, Berklee has a very tight-knit community with its Black students. Everyone knows each other and supports each other so that was nice to be a part of. I truly appreciated their BSI [Black Scholars Initiative] program during my first arrival. Without the BSI, I think navigating the school would've been difficult because when everyone is on campus, it's pretty hard to find other Black students. Other than that, I enjoyed being surrounded by so many creatives. I attended as many caf shows and
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...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
IPC Expands Brazilian Presence with New Channel Partner CCATech
Industry veterans Carlos Abrah o and Bruno Lopes strengthen local support and expand IPCs prese...
20/08/2026
Zixi Enters Mauritius Market Through Strategic Deployment with MTC Jockey Club
Worlds Oldest Horse Racing Club in the Southern Hemisphere Selects Zixis Softwar...
20/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research assistant professor Tiantian Liu has received a five-year NIAID DP2 award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Di...
20/08/2026
Audiences reveal appetite for multicultural Australia on-screen 20 August 2026
Dr Georgie McClean, Dr Rebecca Huntley (L-R)
By Dr Georgie McClean and Dr Rebec...
20/08/2026
How Mavis Studio Is Expanding Live Production Teaching at Sussex
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays a student about to mix be...
20/08/2026
Vertical Unscripted Series Legal Queens Captured with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Reality TV veteran Eric Gardner create...
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 ...
Celebrating Women's History Month with Berklee and Spelman College Students Idriemeka Bailey and Madyson S. McSwain open up about their experiences in the inaugural exchange program.
