Berklee Valencia's Publishing and Music Supervision Course Offers Mentorship from Active Industry Professionals

Students in Berklee Valencia's Publishing and Music Supervision course were granted the unique opportunity to be mentored by active music supervisors, in collaboration with the newly established Spanish Speaking Music Supervision Association (ASM). For two months, students worked alongside 14 music supervisors who volunteered their time and expertise to guide mentees through real-world projects and industry practices.

“We are thrilled with this partnership. It's been an incredibly rewarding experience for both students and mentors,” said Patricia Carrera, president of ASM. “Sharing my knowledge with the next generation of music supervisors is one of the most fulfilling parts of my career, and doing so in collaboration with Berklee is truly a pleasure.”

The mentoring experience consisted of three personalized sessions for each student through which they were able to explore their individual strengths, refine their skills, and better understand the ever-evolving music supervision field. In the first meeting, mentors shared their background and experience in music supervision. The second session focused on an in-depth relevant case study, accompanied by a Q&A and an assignment tailored to real industry scenarios. In the final session, students presented their own work and received individualized feedback from their mentors.

Sara Burpeau, head of sync at Disrupción Records, who was mentored by music supervisor Sam Parvin, shared her thoughts on the experience. “I’ve loved having the opportunity to learn from Sam! The job of a music supervisor can feel somewhat nebulous at times—you know they place music and deal with clearing rights, but everyone has such a unique process. Being able to see how Sam handles a project from start to finish was incredibly helpful. I also really appreciated how encouraging she was in helping me figure out where I fit in this field and what I am qualified for,” Burpeau said.

This year, students also had the chance to meet and learn from additional industry professionals, including Mark Garfield, founder and co-director of Pop-Up Music, freelance music supervisor Paulina Marquez, Frederic Shindler, founder and CEO of Too Young, and GEMB alumnus Lamberto Sanchez MA ’21, A&R at Peer Music Spain. 

The publishing and music supervision course, designed by Grace Puluczek, offers a detailed study of the clearance process of synchronization and the language and terms included in licensing agreements for film, television, video games, and other digital media. It provides students with a comprehensive look at music licensing from the point of view of the various departments within a music publisher, as well as from a music supervisor's perspective.

With real-world scenarios at the course’s core, Puluczek has created a hands-on learning environment that prepares students to take on industry challenges and earn new professional opportunities early on. In previous years, student work has even led to placements in major productions, including a recent feature in Netflix’s hit show, Elite. 

As the course continues to expand its practical approach to music supervision, this first mentorship initiative with ASM signals the start of a lasting collaboration that will be renewed for upcoming academic years. “We’re excited to continue shaping the future of our industry alongside such a talented group of students,” said Carrera. “A huge thank you to the team at the ASM and all 14 mentors for being so generous with their time and supporting the students,” Puluczek added.