Berklee Valencia Students Work Behind the Scenes at Major UK Festival
BPMI and GEMB students with Park National at The Great Escape Festival
Image courtesy of Sophie Johan
Under the iconic neon sign of Komedia Studio Bar in Brighton, England, three Berklee Valencia graduate students found themselves not in the audience, but working behind the scenes in one of Europe’s leading new music festivals, The Great Escape.
In a new cross-campus initiative, Berklee Valencia and the Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) joined forces to support the European tour of rising Berklee band Park National. The tour included four shows across the UK, with a standout performance at The Great Escape, a renowned conference and music festival, held annually, showcasing 500 emerging artists from around the globe
“We are thrilled to see the partnership between the Berklee Popular Music Institute and Valencia's Global Entertainment Music Business (GEMB) program come to life,” said Morgan Milardo, BPMI artistic and managing director.
BPMI enlisted three students from Berklee Valencia’s GEMB program to take on core responsibilities in managing the tour. This was a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field, providing invaluable insights into the inner workings of an international festival and tour management.
The three students selected to join Park National on tour were Laura Larenas, co-tour manager, Hannah Lucchesi, co-production manager, and Sophie Johan, marketing and PR manager.
"It was a fast-paced and exciting experience that confirmed my passion for working behind the scenes in live music."Hannah Lucchesi
As co-tour manager, Larenas was responsible for the coordination and planning of the entire UK tour, organizing scheduling and travel plans and managing operations during the performances. “We started preparing months in advance and seeing everything come together on the ground was super rewarding,” said Larenas.
Managing production, Lucchesi oversaw all technical and logistical aspects of the band’s performance. “It was a fast-paced and exciting experience that confirmed my passion for working behind the scenes in live music,” commented Lucchesi, who handled everything from advancing the show and coordinating with festival staff to ensuring the smooth setup and breakdown of gear.
Johan led marketing and PR, creating social media content, coordinating interviews, and connecting with industry professionals to refine her communication and strategy skills. Reflecting upon the experience, Johan commented, “It prepared me to take on future challenges in the music industry with greater confidence and clarity.”
Park National performing at The Great Escape Festival
Image courtesy of Sophie Johan
This experience served as the culmination of a year of studying at Berklee Valencia, bringing the GEMB students closer to meaningful careers in an industry that once felt out of reach.
Following the success of this collaboration and the valuable experience it brought to students from Berklee Valencia and the Berklee Popular Music Institute, both campuses are looking forward to future collaborations as more opportunities arise in the European music scene.
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.
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.