Berklee Valencia Students Head Out On Tour to Prestigious Festivals with BPMI Abroad
GEMB students participating in the Live Practicum
Chloe Curtis
Berklee Valencia graduate students specializing in the live entertainment practicum are entering the global music industry through an expanded international partnership with the Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI).
Last year’s successful program sent three students on tour across the United Kingdom with Park National, the selected indie band from the BPMI Live program. The 2026 edition of BPMI Abroad marks a significant expansion in both scale and scope. Students specializing in live entertainment from the Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business program are gaining hands-on experience in tour management, production and digital strategy, working behind the scenes on two artist tours spanning multiple countries. Their work takes them from the UK’s The Great Escape Festival and France’s Oberkampf Festival to Germany’s Southside Festival and Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands, offering a firsthand look at the complexities of international touring.
This year’s collaboration includes support for two emerging artists studying in Boston: Jazz Cuti, whose tour will run from May 14 to 21; and Leila Lamb, whose performances will take place from June 18 to 23.
Across both tours, Berklee Valencia students have been entrusted with essential operational roles, contributing to the planning and execution of live performances in real-world industry settings both in venues and on reputable festival stages.
For Jazz Cuti’s tour, Berklee Valencia student Marie Subrtova will serve as tour manager, overseeing logistics, scheduling, and on-the ground-coordination. Keisha Sanchez will take on a dual role as production manager and content/digital lead, managing the technical execution of live performances while shaping digital storytelling and audience engagement.
The Leila Lamb tour, given two slots at leading European festivals, requires a larger team of Berklee Valencia students in specialized roles. Cameron Newton will lead as tour manager, guiding overall coordination and execution. Jean Santana Morales and Han Bi Zhao will support production, assisting with show advancement and technical logistics, while Adriana Navarro Meléndez will oversee content, digital strategy, and public relations.
Bridging the Classroom and the Industry
Together, these roles reflect the increasingly multifaceted nature of today’s music industry, where production, marketing, and artist management intersect in fast-paced global environments. Beyond supporting live performances, students are also contributing to how artists connect with audiences across platforms and markets. The BPMI Abroad initiative functions as a live practicum, allowing students in the GEMB program to apply academic theory to professional practice.
“The best way to learn in the live entertainment industry is by doing,” says faculty member Grace Puluczek. “Through course content, assignments, and now this amazing opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the BPMI team, students get hands-on experience to find their ideal career path.”
“We are thrilled to expand the partnership between the Berklee Popular Music Institute and Valencia's Global Entertainment Music Business,” says Morgan Milardo, artistic and managing director for BPMI. “This expansion allows more students to develop their careers in the live entertainment business, and for Boston-based undergraduate artists to better understand the complexities of global touring as an independent artist. We are incredibly grateful to our donors and industry partners who make this program possible.”
As the partnership between Berklee Valencia and BPMI continues to grow, both campuses remain committed to creating international opportunities that prepare students for the evolving live music landscape.
About the Berklee Popular Music Institute
The Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) at Berklee College of Music is the world's premier institute for practical application of music industry knowledge and skills, with a focus on live events.
Through the BPMI Live program, the Institute provides practical access to high levels of the music industry with a focus on the thriving concert festival circuit. Students learn how to navigate careers in the music industry as they hone their skills in communication, marketing, promotion, and live music. Curriculum activities are designed in collaboration with today's top industry figures to reflect contemporary trends and practices in the music industry.
Read more about the full international tour the Berklee artists will be performing at this year.
About the Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business
Berklee's one-year Master of Arts in Global Entertainment and Music Business is an experiential program that equips students with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving music industry. Designed for those passionate about both music and business, the program features networking opportunities, guest speakers, and a strong global perspective. Students develop key skills in global business models, artistic management, and digital media, while enhancing their leadership, communication, and analytical abilities to become future leaders in the international music industry.