Juanita Murcia

Pronouns Used: She/Her/Hers

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Principal Instrument: Voice

Majors: Contemporary Writing and Production and Music Business/Management

Minor: Musical Theater Performance

Languages Spoken (other than English): Spanish

Describe your favorite Berklee experience so far.

My favorite experience at Berklee so far has been my first semester in Valencia [Spain]. I was in a different city, surrounded by people from different cultures and great weather. The city was also great. Everything was a surprise and the musical environment was awesome and very rich. There was flamenco everywhere, and I got to learn from this genre that was unknown to me.

When you think about your favorite class so far, what is one example of why you enjoyed it?

My favorite class so far has been Principles of Music Business Management because I got to learn things that I had no idea about before—for example, how the industry works and how it can be managed. I also learned how to do a business plan and how to execute every part of it for a personal business (this business could be me or another colleague as an artist).

What is your favorite part about studying and living in Boston? 

My favorite part about studying and living in Boston is the wide variety of people I get to meet. Since Boston is such a multicultural place, because of the amount of schools there, you get to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds and cultures. This has made me grow musically and personally, and has expanded my perspective on how I see the world. This has improved my creativity and musicianship as well as my social skills. This is my favorite part of Boston so far.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone applying to Berklee College of Music or Boston Conservatory at Berklee?

Just be yourself. Don't try to fake being something else to fulfill the stereotype you're "expected" to fulfill. Just be yourself and enjoy the process. Do the music and the things you love. Berklee is the device for you to accomplish your dreams, not a place that wants you to follow a specific model.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place on campus are the studios because they're very quiet and also very clean. Also, it's a place where music (feelings) can be recorded and therefore are eternal. This gives me a sensation of peace.

Why did you choose Berklee?

I chose Berklee because of the huge variety of students it hosts. I wanted to learn from everybody around the world in order to have a clearer perspective in music and life. I also chose Berklee because of the people I know who have attended this school. The people I know who graduated from Berklee are always very professional and knowledgeable.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I would like to complete my OPT in Los Angeles at the Universal record label. Then I would like to move to Spain and work as an A&R agent for different artists signed to Sony Music. I would like to perform in different small venues in my free time as well. 

What have you enjoyed most about the live shows you’ve been involved in at Berklee?

I've enjoyed learning the most. In every live performance, I learn something from my colleagues, from teachers, from myself, from my boss, from technology, etc. Learning things by seeing and doing gives me experience...and a huge competitive advantage for the future. I love to feel like I know about a lot of things, even if it's a little.

Where do you hope to perform this coming year?

I hope to perform around Boston and at the Berklee Performance Center. I would also like to perform back in Bogotá [Colombia], my hometown, at different venues.