Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellows Bridge Worlds Through Music

Berj Fazlian first heard about the then-nascent Berklee Abu Dhabi Center at the Dubai Culture Expo in 2021, and thought that the offerings were like nothing else he had seen.

Now a third-semester performance major at Berklee College of Music, Fazlian credits a scholarship from the Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellowship Fund, which allowed him to begin his studies in fall 2023, with transforming his life and musical journey for the better.

“I’m in Boston right now, and I am still in denial that I got accepted for this scholarship,” said Fazlian. “Without the help of Berklee Abu Dhabi, it wouldn’t have happened and I wouldn’t be here. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”

Launched in March of 2023 by Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, the fellowship fund offers scholarships to emerging artists from the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region, providing students with access to Berklee’s state-of-the-art academic programs and creative spaces around the globe. In addition to Berklee Abu Dhabi and Berklee College of Music, prospective fellows can apply to study at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee Valencia, Berklee NYC, and Berklee Online.

I’ve been learning so much, and I imagine what I can give back to people in the Middle East. I’m so happy to share what I’ve experienced. 

— Berj Fazlian

To date, the fund has received over 700 applications, with scholarships being awarded to 13 students representing eight countries.

For insight into how the fellowship fund has opened possibilities for these artists, we spoke with Fazlian and fellow scholars Nejma Alkoor and Ahed Alameri about their musical and cultural backgrounds, experience with the program, and future aspirations.

Nejma Alkoor, Third-Semester Professional Music Major 

Growing up in a family of musicians and educators, Nejma Alkoor, a native of Abu Dhabi, had her mind set on Berklee early on. Alkoor began singing and playing piano at six years old, and soon began competing in singing contests including two appearances on The Voice Kids. In 2021, her mother, an oud player and professor, connected her with Mayssa Karaa, artistic director of Berklee Abu Dhabi, to tour the center and learn more about the academic offerings. Alkoor was immediately struck by the rigor and quality of the coursework and decided to enroll in the Performance Artistry and Learning program (PEARL) as a grade 11 student. Despite juggling the demands of her secondary school and Berklee Abu Dhabi coursework, Alkoor rose to the challenge, becoming the youngest person to earn the PEARL certificate. “It was more than I thought, in a good way,” said Alkoor. “Honestly, I came out of [Berklee Abu Dhabi] knowing so much already and I hadn’t even gone [yet] to university.”

Soon after, Gael Hedding, director of the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center, suggested that Alkoor apply to the fellowship for the chance to study at Berklee’s campus in Boston. Alkoor noted the motivation and support from the Abu Dhabi team as a big reason why she applied, despite apprehension about leaving home. “I’ve been in some competitions . . . and after you feel drained, overwhelmed. . . . But when I entered Berklee Abu Dhabi, I felt the support and love, and I was able to do more concerts with my name in the set list. When I saw people being impacted by what I’m singing and getting emotional, it kept pushing me to do what I’m doing, even when it’s difficult.”

Now in her third semester, Alkoor has found a renewed sense of confidence and purpose in her artistry, citing the musical and cultural diversity at the Boston campus as a major influence on her development. Her performance in the Signature Series concert celebrating the Middle Eastern Music Festival was particularly special, not only because she took the stage at the Berklee Performance Center as a first-semester student, but because she was able to honor her culture through that performance.

“I have friends that have been in a position where they don’t know if they should move abroad or if they should continue following their passion. I always say, you should go for it, even if you’re at a low point in your life or think you’re not good enough, because one person can change so much in this world.”

Ahed Alameri, Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive Alumna

Unlike many other students pursuing careers in music, Ahed Alameri of the UAE was not born into a family of artists. Instead, she found her way to the piano on her own, magnetically drawn to the instrument at a young age. Alameri’s mother, while not having a background in music, recognized her daughter’s deep love and natural ability for performance. Alameri would come to earn recognition for her talent from various secondary schools throughout the Emirates, eventually participating in international competitions.

Along the way, Alameri fell in love with classical music and jazz, genres she says have “become an integral part of my identity,” and “continue to inspire and captivate me every single day.” Her search to expand her artistic palette would lead her to discover the fellowship fund, through which she applied for Berklee’s Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive program. “I wanted to experience Berklee Boston, as there is truly nowhere quite like it when it comes to embracing a wide range of musical genres and welcoming a diverse community of artists and musicians,” said Ahed, who completed the program last summer. “The atmosphere, collaborations, and explorations were something I did not experience anywhere else.”

During her time in the program, Alameri aimed to connect with like-minded artists, deepen her understanding of jazz’s cultural roots, refine her improvisational skills, and engage with the Berklee community. “The fellowship experience was a transformative journey that not only helped me achieve my initial goals but also opened doors to new opportunities and expanded my perspective as a musician and artist,” said Alameri. “I would encourage anyone considering enrolling in Berklee Abu Dhabi or the fellowship program to seize the opportunity without hesitation, as you’ll have access to world-class resources and instruction.”

Since completing the Aspire program, Alameri has graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in intermedia art and received the Society of Scottish Artists' 2024 New Graduate Award. Her project “We Love the Country,” a multichannel audio installation that explores themes of identity and belonging, will be featured at the annual Society of Scottish Artists Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy starting this November.

Berj Fazlian, Third-Semester Performance Major 

Before he could walk, Berj Fazlian was setting up makeshift drum kits, banging pots, pans, and utensils on the kitchen floor. “Music was the way I communicated,” he said. “It was my escape.” His father, Harout Fazlian, was the conductor of the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra for many years, and the younger Fazlian says he “owes his love of music to him.” Now a rising artist with a dedicated audience and social media following, the drummer and a hip-hop producer blends his love for old-school rap with jazz and traditions from his Lebanese roots.

Falzian’s first experience with Berklee Abu Dhabi was through a master class with Brian Jantz, associate professor of music therapy, where he quickly recognized how rare and unique such a comprehensive program was in the region. When a newsletter came a few months later with information about the fellowship fund, he applied to the Boston campus. “When I got the email that I [was accepted], I went crazy,” recalled Fazlian. “It was a bit intimidating at first because of the amazing musicians here, but the great thing about Berklee is that we are not divided—we are one huge community.”

Since arriving in Boston, Fazlian has enjoyed countless memorable experiences, from late-night jam sessions that forged deep friendships to challenging assignments that expanded his artistic boundaries. “The people make this place incredible, and I am always learning not just from my professors but from my peers. People [here] want you to follow your dreams, and they want to push you to believe in what you’re doing.”

As he enters his third semester, Fazlian is already envisioning a life of performing and teaching in Abu Dhabi, bringing all of the lessons and knowledge of his time in Boston to the MENA region. “I’ve been learning so much, and I imagine what I can give back to people in the Middle East,” said Fazlian. “I’m so happy to share what I’ve experienced. I’ve said to my dad, ‘What would I do right now if I hadn’t gone to that Abu Dhabi master class?’ Boston and Abu Dhabi have truly become my second homes. If I could go back and do it again, I would do it blindly.”