Student Spotlight: Daniel Ramos

What’s it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience—what they’re learning in class, what kinds of projects they’re involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they’re listening to. This week, we hear from Daniel Ramos, a seventh-semester flutist and music business/management major from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?

I always knew I wanted to study music in some capacity. I wasn’t sure which field until my junior year of high school when I started getting more involved in extracurriculars specializing in business and marketing, and I thought to myself, why not combine both passions, music and business. After doing some research, and also having some family attend Berklee, I knew that this was the school for me.

What's been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?

The Berklee Popular Music Institute is a three-semester program in which selected students act as managers/A&Rs and scout Berklee talent with the intent of taking them to a live music festival stage. Some of the festivals include Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Osheaga, and Bourbon & Beyond. Jeff Dorenfeld, Morgan Milardo, and Oompa Williams have all been tremendous professors and mentors in preparing the students and artists to take on a live festival stage.

What's a project you've worked on since coming to Berklee that you've been especially excited about?

I personally have been extremely proud of the work the talent relations ambassadors team has done pitching Berklee students for real-world opportunities outside of the Berklee community. Our team has been successful in getting opener placements for touring artists performing in Boston and Providence, such as Evan Giia, Alec Benjamin, Clairo, and Alexander 23, to name a few. And we have had success working with film and TV as well, securing castings on the Whitney Houston biopic [I Wanna Dance with Somebody], The Voice, American Idol, and America’s Got Talent.

How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?

I love getting to spend time with my friends and decompress, or I will hit the gym before or after my classes to de-stress.

When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most?

My parents, my brother, and my sister have all been pillars of motivation and inspiration in anything and everything I do, whether it be in my personal or professional life. Without my family I would not be where I am today, and I couldn’t have asked for better role models than them.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to your high school self?

Everything happens for a reason and all in due time. Be patient. There will be an app known as TikTok in the future; post dancing videos there before anyone else does. You will thank me later.

Daniel's Current Favorite Artists

We asked Daniel to share some music that he's recently been into. Here's his list of five artists, along with song selections chosen by him.

1. Luz

She’s an absolutely phenomenal lyricist. It’s insanely poetic how she intertwines her lyricism with the lush harmonies and melodic line.

Listen to:

2. Lizzy McAlpine

An amazing songwriter who knows how to tug at the heartstrings. What really intrigued me with Lizzy is how she features other artists and chooses to narrate the songs by adding another voice.

Listen to:

3. Tiny Habits

These Berklee students are absolutely captivating and have mastered the art of compressed vocal layering and intricate harmonies.

Listen to:

4. Vivienne Artur

A Berklee student who writes purely from the heart. Vivienne’s raw delivery of her original music is breathtaking and so vulnerable, leaving you always wanting more.

Listen to:

5. Duncan Laurence

The winner of Eurovision 2019, Duncan Laurence is a master storyteller who writes from his personal experiences and always keeps it authentic and true to who he is at his core.

Listen to: