From Berklee Valencia to the World: Meet the Class of 2025
Laura Larenas
Program: Global Entertainment and Music Business
Country: Mexico
Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what were your proudest achievement or project and your most memorable experience?
I would say all the live projects I was involved in: from participating in Berklee a Les Arts, to blending technology and performance in the Metaverse, to being part of the team that produced INOCON and brought the amazing Suzie Collier to Valencia. I also helped manage the outstanding Maryna Krut’s shows in Spain and wrapped up the spring semester co-tour managing Park National’s UK tour, including their performance at The Great Escape Festival.
Seeing how meaningful all these events were, not only for us but for the artists and the hundreds of people who attended, is something I will carry in my heart forever.
As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?
I’ve realized I’m passionate about different areas within the music industry: live entertainment, music supervision, and storytelling through music. My biggest goal is to contribute to building an industry driven by kindness, empathy, and inclusion, no matter what path I take.
Learning directly from top professionals has given me insights I could not have found elsewhere. I am especially grateful to my professors and program director, who guided not only our academic growth but also our personal development. I also want to highlight the amazing guest speakers who generously shared their time and knowledge with us.
Outside the classroom, I was fortunate to be mentored by Yvette Noel-Schure, Patricia Carrera, and Blythe Schulte. Their wisdom and guidance will always be a part of my personal journey and professional path. They are outstanding women driving real change, and I hope one day to be a source of encouragement and opportunity for more women, just as they were for me.
Finally, what advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduates now that you have lived the experience?
Networking will be a word you hear often, but the most valuable networking you must do is with your classmates. My class is full of extraordinary people, and I’m excited to see where we all go from here and how we continue to witness each other’s growth.
One more thing I would say is that the year goes by incredibly fast. There are so many opportunities at Berklee, and most of them are not tied to one specific program. Try things out, get involved, and make the most of what the campus and the city have to offer. This experience really is what you make of it!
Follow Laura on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Drew Keeve
Program: Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration)
Country: United States
Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what were your proudest achievement or project and your most memorable experience?
Simply put, I’m proud to be considered among a group of exceptional humans and musicians. It’s rare to witness such diverse artistry at an impeccably high level; everyone is outstanding in their own unique musical identity. I’m very proud to call these people my friends, colleagues, and collaborators, and look forward to working with them throughout my career.
I will fondly remember each time I was able to hear my music played for the first time, by world-class musicians. It’s indescribable to hear your own voice shared between artists and audience and it’s a feeling I continue to cherish.
As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?
Upon graduation, I will return to the United States, playing shows and festivals in preparation for the October release of A Blur of Color, a powerful EP recorded here in Valencia. Other upcoming work includes a reimagined American string band, solo projects, and a jazz string quartet.
As a crossover artist from the world of classical music, the Contemporary Performance program provided the academic support I needed to fully realize my non-classical artistry. I graduate with a body of work, industry knowledge, and a strong network of talented artists.
Finally, what advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduates now that you have lived the experience?
The program is compressed into a short time period. My best advice would be to prepare as much as possible: get very solid with your instrument and/or voice, and have compositions ready for collaboration before arriving in Valencia.
Follow Drew on Instagram or visit his official website.
Jeries Babish
Program: Music Production, Technology, and Innovation
Country: Palestine
Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what were your proudest achievement or project and your most memorable experience?
My proudest achievement was finishing my electronic oriental album, a project that represents so much of who I am musically and culturally. But beyond the music, what truly made this year special were the people, the laughter, and the fun we had during our classes.
As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?
I want to keep creating music that bridges cultures, mixing electronic sounds with Middle Eastern instruments and microtonal melodies. Berklee Valencia gave me not just the technical tools to do that, but also the community and confidence to take risks, experiment, and stay true to my artistic voice. Working with people from all over the world helped me understand different musical languages and share mine, too!
Finally, what advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduates now that you have lived the experience?
Use every moment. Dive into collaborations, talk to people outside your circle, spend those extra hours in the studio, and don’t be afraid to make weird stuff. This place gives you space to try, fail, and grow. Also: take breaks, sit under the Valencian sun, and remember that sometimes your best ideas come when you're not trying too hard.
Visit Jeries’ official website.
Natalia Chatzopoulou
Program: Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games
Country: Greece
Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what were your proudest achievement or project and your most memorable experience?
The most memorable moment for many of us was recording at Air Studios in London. Stepping into the hall where many of our favorite soundtracks were made and hearing our music performed by some of the best musicians in the world was not only a dream come true but a culmination of all of our hard work this year.
From writing our pieces, polishing the scores, printing the parts, and preparing the sessions to finally stepping onto the podium and hearing the first note of our music being played, the journey as a whole was enlightening and an experience to remember for years to come.
Throughout the year, we also had the opportunity to record with local musicians in Valencia and complete remote recordings in Budapest with East Connection Orchestra. As a performer and composer, meeting new players and making music with them created some of the highlights of my year.
As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?
My goal for the future is to work as a media composer, orchestrator, and cellist while also writing concert music.
During this program, I gained many valuable insights into the world of film and video game scoring. I also learned many things about orchestration, music technology, and mixing a recording session. The program offers a variety of scoring projects that prepared me for a fast-paced working environment and thriving under tight deadlines.
Throughout the year, we also had the opportunity to partake in numerous projects inside and outside of Berklee that emulated professional life. Through these collaborations, I gained knowledge about how to make connections, communicate my ideas with teammates, and develop a good work ethic.
Finally, what advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduates now that you have lived the experience?
My advice for future students is to be open to collaboration and receiving feedback. Some of my most valuable memories this year included working with other classmates, sharing knowledge, and helping each other achieve our goals. The connections we made led to exciting opportunities, but also lasting friendships.
Most importantly, the feedback we received, not only from faculty but from each other, proved instrumental in propelling us forward and elevating the quality of our work.
As composers, we tend to work in isolation and the workload can seem overwhelming at first. Being present for each other, however, made the process easier and it reminded us what making music is all about: to resonate with others in a creative way.
Follow Natalia on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, SoundCloud, or visit her official website.