Updates from the Dean of Academic Affairs
Dear Berklee Valencia Family,
When I last wrote, I commented that autumn had yet to arrive in Valencia. However, the weather knew we turned back our clocks at the end of October, and with that change, the cooler weather finally came. We are now enjoying brisk mornings and evenings and warm sunny days.
As always, it has been a busy time at Berklee Valencia. The master’s programs hosted a variety of events, including a celebration of the International Day of Flamenco by the Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) program (CPPD), featuring guest artists Alicia Carrasco (voice), Jose Manuel Moreno (guitar), and faculty member Sergio Martinez (percussion). Global Entertainment and Music Business (GEMB) held a series of events as part of their Innovation Week. Music Production, Technology, and Innovation (MPTI) hosted producer Emilio Miler. Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games (SFTV), students recorded pieces for brass quintet. In addition, a few students from CPPD and MPTI also traveled to Haarlem, Netherlands, to participate in a Songwriting Camp.
Meanwhile, the undergraduate students participated in our annual Industry Day Trip to Madrid, a chance to visit relevant music companies that operate in the city. From labels to promoters, recording studios, and more, this was a unique chance to meet some leadership and staff and to learn about the ongoing day-to-day tasks that the different departments undertake. In the spring, we will offer a similar program in Barcelona. Lastly, undergraduate students also had their final Open Mic of the semester.

We also had some fun with a Pet a Pooch event featuring three of our staff member’s pups: Cosmo, a young mutt recently adopted by Academic Affairs staff member Laura Blasco; Lana, a Schnoodle that belongs to Diana Prieto from Student Affairs, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Romulo, a French bulldog owned by Martina Naretto in our Academic Records and Services Office. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to relax, spend social time together, and bond with amazing and loving dogs.
While Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Spain, we were fortunate to have a community Friendsgiving dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Valencia. Eighty faculty, staff, and students came together to celebrate our community and partake in a traditional Thanksgiving meal (including a vegetarian/vegan option).
I look forward to giving you one more update before 2024!