Minor in Creative Leadership for Performers
All Berklee students are performers—whether for an audience of one or 20,000. Every performer and artist carries the potential to lead creatively in any space, regardless of artistic discipline, major, or instrument. The Creative Leadership for Performers Minor empowers students to cultivate their artistic identities while developing the confidence, insight, and versatility essential for leadership in today’s collaborative arts landscape.
Through guided self-discovery grounded in experiential learning and cross-disciplinary project-based collaboration, students will deepen their understanding of themselves as performers, artists, and creators. As they take on a range of roles within group dynamics and the creative process, students will learn to honor their authentic perspectives, recognize the value of their contributions, and build confidence in both their artistic voices and their sense of self.
This minor prepares students to enter the evolving music and performing arts industries as adaptable, empathetic, and forward-thinking contributors—performers and artists who are ready to lead with clarity, creativity, and purpose.
MTEC-111 or MTEC-122
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- apply creative leadership skills in collaborative artistic settings using communication, shape creative direction, and support and build community within groups while also applying strategies for empathetic, inclusive, and adaptable leadership within various, diverse creative teams;
- articulate artistic identity and self-discovery, embracing a refined understanding of their artistic identities, values, and creative strengths;
- reflect critically on their growth as performers and creative leaders through self-assessment and guided inquiry;
- apply collaborative and cross-disciplinary practice, contributing effectively to cross-disciplinary, project-based collaborations by taking on multiple creative roles (e.g., performer, director, organizer, conceptual designer);
- integrate diverse artistic perspectives and disciplines into cohesive, innovative creative outcomes;
- implement creative process and problem-solving, using creative problem-solving methods to navigate challenges within group dynamics and artistic development to bring artistic ideas to fruition.
- communicate artistic voice and concepts, providing intentions and feedback clearly and constructively in collaborative environments;
- express distinct artistic voices through performance, creative decision-making, and leadership actions;
- demonstrate professional readiness, adaptability, and resilience in response to the evolving expectations of the music and performing arts industries; and
- present themselves as innovative, purpose-driven artists prepared to lead and contribute meaningfully in professional creative settings.
Required courses (8 credits):
PSPA-250: Experiential Learning Workshop for Performing Artists and Creative Leaders (2 credits)
PSPA-350: Experiential Learning in Artistic Collaboration (2 credits)
PSPA-450: The Performing Artist Career Seminar (2 credits)
PST-351: Stage Performance Techniques 1 (2 credits)
Electives (4 credits):
PST-352: Stage Performance Techniques 2 (2 credits)
ICE-125: The Mind: The Creative Entrepreneur Mindset (2 credits)
ILEL-115: EDI Performance Skills for Non-EDI Principals (1 credit)
SW-161: DAW for Songwriters: Pro-Tools (2 credits)
SW-181: DAW for Songwriters: Ableton Live (2 credits)
SW-191: DAW for Songwriters: Logic Pro X Live (2 credits
PSH-238: Awareness Training for Musicians (1 credit)
PSH-338: Awareness Training for Musicians 2 (1 credit)
PSH-240: Body Mapping for Musicians 1 (1 credit)
PSH-242: Body Mapping for Musicians 2 (1 credit)
PSH-260: Tai Chi Chuan for Musicians 1 (1 credit)
PSH-360: Tai Chi Chuan for Musicians 2 (1 credit)
PSH-250: Yoga for Musicians 1 (1 credit)
PSH-252: Yoga for Musicians 2 (1 credit)
PSH-263: Qigong, Musicianship, and the Mastery of Creativity (1 credit)
PSH-300: Meditation and the Creative Process (1 credit)
Additional Electives (only available to Performance Majors):
ILRE-375: Recital Workshop for Performance Majors (1 credit)