Meet Students from Berklee’s Class of 2022
Image by Dave Green
On May 7, Berklee will celebrate its newest class of innovative artists and music professionals. More than a thousand students will receive their degrees in disciplines ranging from music business to dance to education.
At Agganis Arena, 938 Berklee College of Music students and 151 Berklee Online students will be presented with a bachelor’s degree or a professional diploma. Later that day, at the Berklee Performance Center, Boston Conservatory at Berklee will present 228 students with undergraduate or graduate degrees.
The class of 2022 is highly international, with more than 65 nationalities represented, and includes residents from more than 45 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Here are a few of their stories, in brief.
Harmeet Bhatia
Major: Guitar Performance and Music Business/Management
Hometown: Hong Kong, China
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
My private guitar instructor Scotty Johnson. He was the first professor I made a connection with at Berklee and is one of the people who showed me just how exciting a career in music could be, mentoring me with his decades of experience on the musical theater circuit. Whether nerding out on guitar effects or sharing advice applicable to anyone in the music industry, he is always a vibrant and inspiring person to be around. My favorite phrase from him is, "When you get the call for a gig, say yes first and figure out how to do it later." He's the reason I push myself to take on as many projects as I can at Berklee, to serve as many artists as I possibly can.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
The Berklee Beyoncé Ensemble was the highlight of my time at school. As the lead audio engineer for the ensemble, I was responsible for building and operating playback and Auto-Tune equipment and all related sound/production equipment (mics, mixers, monitors, etc.), in addition to recording and mixing audio for the ensemble's promotional covers. Being one of Berklee's largest-ever productions, honoring one of the biggest performers alive today, I had the challenge of ensuring we had a rock-solid foundation to run the show upon, as there are so many moving parts that follow audio (light programming, dancers, stagehands moving set pieces, and more). In addition to all that, I helped run monitors and in-ear mixes for the band. I got to work hands-on with some of the latest entertainment and live-sound technology to elevate our ensemble's performance to the next level. After two sold-out nights, with 1,200 in attendance each night and 1,500 watching online, I can safely say our show was a success!
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
I'm City Winery Boston's new concert/venue manager, starting next week, and I hope to get on the road with bands soon as a tour manager. I am also doing production/live-sound mixing work at venues around Boston. Live music has always been where I wanted to end up, whether behind the console or on the tour bus.
Follow Harmeet on Instagram at @harmeetbhatia76.
Karissa Bone
Major: Songwriting
Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
Bonnie Hayes. Bonnie has been my directed study professor for the past year and has taught me so much about owning my space and writing really bulletproof songs. She took a chance on me last spring and put me in her songwriter/producer practicum with Jason Petrin where we complete two cowrites a week with full production. It completely changed how I write, helped me gain confidence in my artist project, and let me meet some amazing writers and producers at Berklee.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
Headlining the Red Room this April for my directed study songwriting ensemble with Paula Gallitano! I got to work with my amazing band (Ludvig Broll, Nick Prato, JP Dewey, and Dean Andreades) every week this past semester to arrange 14 of my originals for the live show. It was the first time I was able to play an original set while running tracks and in-ears, and it was the best feeling to be able to present my songs the way they were meant to be heard. The audience was packed and they even knew the words to some of my songs. It was a really special night.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
This summer I'll be moving to L.A. to intern at Capitol Records in the A&R department! I'm hoping to move to L.A. officially in the fall and pursue my career as an artist and writer, while continuing to do consultant work on the business/A&R side. In the future, I'll be using my knowledge of A&R and songwriting to start my own publishing company.
Follow Karissa Bone on Instagram and TikTok @itskarissabone, or visit her website: karissabone.com.
Kayla Erhardt
Major: Music Business/Management
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
I've had a few Berklee professors who have truly impacted me, but I think the first one that comes to mind is Sarah Brindell. Having her for both my Songwriting and Lyric Writing courses really allowed me to revise my work to a standard that puts me in a more confident mindset to share my work with the world. She is kind, caring, passionate, supportive, and knowledgeable in her way of teaching. Through her, I've been able to turn my own art into something more meaningful, not only for myself but for people who have the chance to listen.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
In my three years at Berklee, I've always dreamed that I would release my first EP/album before my time here ends. My very last semester was spent doing many shows, enjoying my classes, and writing and recording my first EP. It's a project reflective of everything I've felt during this chapter in my life. My professors Mark Poniatowski and Sarah Brindell are also featured in one of the songs; it's truly an honor to have people that helped me carve my path in music to be a part of it as well. The EP, To Love & Be Loved, was released on all platforms today!
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
My short-term plan after graduation is to really enjoy my time with Coldplay for their 2022 Music of the Spheres World Tour as a backline technician and audio engineer. I will be with them through the U.S. leg of the tour, and I really hope to create meaningful relationships from those I have the chance to learn from. My long-term goal would be to continue writing and creating my own music. Being an artist is important to me, and as I navigate the music industry without the safety net of Berklee, I hope to really gain the ability to be confident, persistent, and continuously evolving as a musician—as someone who loves to learn, and as an artist.
Follow Kayla on Instagram at @kayla.erhardt or visit her website: kaylaerhardt.com.
Niccolò Pacella
Major: Film Scoring
Hometown: Milan, Italy
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
Every professor that I've had the opportunity to learn from ended up shaping me in a special way. All of them were essential in making me the artist I am today and I couldn't be more grateful to each and every one of them. They made it possible for me to expand my horizons and grow as a person before all else. I'll never forget them!
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
I remember my first in-person session with a live orchestra. I was so scared I couldn't hear anything while I was on the podium conducting! Even after doing it for an entire semester it keeps being scary, but hearing my music come to life in front of me is the most fulfilling experience I've had at Berklee.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
I'm planning on moving to Los Angeles this summer, where I hope to connect with more alumni and continue growing as a composer for film and video games. In the future, I hope I'll be able to share my successes and give back to the Berklee community that I'm proud to be a part of.
Follow Niccolò on Instagram and Twitter @nico_pacella, or visit his website: niccolopacella.com.
Lilly Patterson
Major: Contemporary Writing and Production, minor in Recording and Production for Musicians
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
That's a really hard question, but a few that come to mind are Chrissy Tignor, Jason Stokes, and Joe Carrier. I've been really lucky to have had professors that genuinely believe in me and my potential, and while they're obviously wonderful teachers technically speaking, they've impacted how I view myself and my capabilities. Imposter syndrome is real, but professors like this have helped me build a new found confidence that I am excited to take with me as I embark on my career.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
Curtain Up is easily one of my proudest achievements since being here. I came to Berklee entirely self taught and basically unable to read music. Fast-forward to this semester and I orchestrated three pretty successful original musical theater compositions for the Curtain Up showcase at the Berklee Performance Center. I've never done anything like that before, especially compared to my fellow, incredibly talented orchestrators, so I'm excited to potentially explore orchestrating post-grad. By the same token, I also composed and conducted my first symphony this semester!
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Under the guidance of Liza Levy, I was brought onto her talent relations team to function as an onsite A&R rep and talent scout. Through this experience, I've fallen in love with music business and A&R, so I intend to explore this field a bit post-grad (in addition to my compositional/production pursuits)! I'm super excited and open to really anything, but I feel pretty equipped for whatever the future may bring!
Follow Lilly on Instagram at @lillian.wav.
Abby Rain
Major: Professional Music
Hometown: Orange County, California
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
Darcel Wilson is hands-down the best professor I had here at the college. From the moment I started, in 2018, she instantly became an inspiration and a support system for me. Her energy, the way she cares for her students, is an absolute blessing. I learned so much from her, whether it be from our vocal lessons or from our long conversations about life after graduation.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
I have worked on almost every major performance there ever has been here at Berklee since I started in 2018. But working at the Berklee Performance Center for the Tina Turner Singers Showcase in fall of 2021, as the show's production manager, was probably the most rewarding experience. Working for months behind the scenes and to see the show come to life was just inspiring. It definitely confirmed that the concert industry is where I want to be.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
After a long time searching, I have officially accepted a job offer with my dream company, Live Nation Entertainment. I will be taking my one-way flight to Beverly Hills to start my career in the live entertainment industry. Long-term, I see myself being the senior vice president of global touring at Live Nation Entertainment, or working as the event producer for the world's major artists. I wouldn't be where I am without God. It takes a lot of prayer and patience, especially in this industry. I want to let whoever's reading this know that it will be hard. It is going to take a lot of perseverance and drive to do what you want in this industry. But if you love it, do it—and do it with everything in your being. I want to help anyone who is about to graduate; we need to be for each other, not against.
Follow Abby on Instagram at @_abbyrain.
Trinity Reyes-Escobar
Major: Music Business/Management
Hometown: Cathedral City, California
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
The Berklee professor(s) that had the greatest impact on me were Tonya Butler and Paula Gallitano. The first internship I had was with Tonya Butler and her music business podcast. Knowing she chose me gave me the confidence I needed to continue to grow and she taught me skills I needed to earn extra cash on the side (she calls them gas money skills). I took many songwriting classes at Berklee, but Paula Gallitano truly inspired me to be true and honest with the music I write. Both Tonya and Paula gave me the push I needed to be where I am right now, and so it's been great being able to look up to two strong women in different parts of the industry.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
I didn't perform too much throughout my time at Berklee, but I just recently had my Finding the Artist Within Ensemble Recital, where I got to perform two originals! I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this ensemble, particularly because my professors, Ana Guigui and Nichelle Mungo, were so wonderful as well as visiting artist Paula Cole. I gained confidence in my songwriting skills through their constructive feedback and reassurance.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Right after graduation, I will be moving to L.A. to work at Kobalt [Music Group] as the writer and publisher relations team coordinator, where I will be working very closely with our west coast songwriters and Latin American roster. Eventually, I hope to start a nonprofit in the Coachella Valley (where I grew up) to make sure our low-income communities have access to the arts. Throughout this, I want to continue to write my own music and keep playing my baritone saxophone.
Follow Trinity on Instagram and LinkedIn @trinityreyescobar.
Sydney Roslin
Major: Musical Theater Performance
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
I think my voice teacher, Jared Trudeau, had the biggest impact on me. He taught me so many different new ways to use my unique instrument, and most importantly, how to better listen to my instrument so I can be self aware of what is going wrong and how I can fix it. He is also such a positive voice in regards to embracing individual artistry without worrying about what anyone else’s journey looks like and always reminds me that I should be singing because I love to sing and that is always enough.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
I’m very proud of my M.F.A. thesis, which was a 35-minute one-woman show about Irving Berlin and his assimilation as a Jewish immigrant into American culture. It was a really difficult project, but I got to work with amazing advisors (shout-out to Fran Charnas and Gina Fiore!) and craft a piece I’m proud of, and a piece that I feel has something to say about how we as a country often value assimilation over the embracing of each other’s cultures.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
This summer, I’m going to be an assistant director apprentice artist at Opera Neo in San Diego. I will be assistant directing their two main stage operas and directing scenes for their cabaret showcase. But before San Diego, I’m traveling with Opera Neo to Budapest for a month and a half as one of the operas is first being staged in partnership with the Hungarian State Opera. I will be an administrative assistant on the production in Budapest so I can help with the transfer to San Diego. After that, I’m planning to move to New York and keep creating art!
Follow Sydney on Instagram at @sydneyroslin or visit her website: sydneyroslin.com.
Marlon Atari Solomon
Major: Music Business/Management and Music Production and Engineering
Hometown: East Orange, New Jersey
Which Berklee professor had the greatest impact on you, and what did you learn from them?
This is a hard question because I’ve had many life-impacting professors at Berklee, but if I had to choose one it would probably be Ralph Jaccodine. I had Ralph for Music Intermediaries and Professional Development Seminar. What’s amazing about Ralph is that so much of what I learn is applicable to post-Berklee. Ralph goes out of his way to provide opportunities for his students and to share his connects in a way I haven’t seen before. He brings in the most amazing guest speakers that share his level of wisdom. I’m so grateful for every gem I’ve received from his class, and will hold on to them forever.
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and why?
I am most proud of executive producing the Berklee Beyoncé Ensemble's Homecoming concert. This yearlong ensemble took so much preparation, sleepless nights, and tears, but it came out to be one of the best Berklee shows. It was so diverse in class representation, which gave my younger peers a chance to experience a show of that magnitude early in their Berklee career and learn how to make a show bigger and better. Most importantly, I gained more than a great show; I gained a family that I want to stay connected to forever (#BBEForLife).
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
After graduation, I will be moving to L.A. to start my career at Creative Arts Agency (CAA) as a floater in their music department. While in L.A., I hope to establish cross-industry connections and develop a brand for myself built on kindness, hard work, and discipline. Ultimately, my goal is to help artists in the industry protect their legacy, their music, and their mental health.
Follow Marlon on Instagram at @marlonatari.