Ananya Sharma MM ‘23: From Mumbai to Berklee Valencia and Beyond

Ananya Sharma MM ’23 is a singer-songwriter/producer/engineer whose work blends Western styles with the Indian music she grew up hearing in Mumbai, India. 

As an artist composing in English, she sought a program that embraced genre fluidity and global perspectives. She found that openness at Berklee’s campus in Valencia, Spain. Enrolling in the Master of Music in contemporary performance (production concentration), she discovered a space where her Mumbai-rooted identity could intersect with artists from around the world—and where recording and engineering reshaped her creative process.

“Berklee Valencia was the first environment where I could fully experiment and where my own artistic vision—rooted in who I am and where I come from—could meet the perspectives of people from completely different backgrounds to create something new at that intersection.” she said. 

Although she entered the program primarily as a songwriter, production quickly became central to her artistic development. Discovering recording and engineering gave her the tools and confidence to move beyond melodies and lyrics and into shaping the full sonic world of a song.

While developing her debut album in Berklee’s studios, she began thinking not only about harmony and structure, but also about texture, mood, and arrangement. Whether incorporating electronic layers, strings, or genre-blending elements, she now approaches songwriting as both composer and producer—crafting each element from the earliest stages.

Sharma credits assistant professor Lucas Martín and Grammy Award–winning mixing engineer and producer Nic Hard as key mentors. Hard, in particular, played an influential role in her growth. Though his time on campus was limited, their collaboration continued beyond the classroom.

“My community, my mentors, teachers, and friends were crucial in helping me feel supported throughout the master’s program, and long after,” she said.

Since 2023, Sharma has worked as an assistant engineer to Hard on multigenre projects. Most recently, she assisted him on Somni, a recording by Snarky Puppy featuring the Metropole Orchestra. Recording the 70-piece ensemble in Utrecht, Netherlands, marked a defining moment in her artistic journey.

As an assistant recording and mixing engineer, she has also contributed to Aurea by Imola Vida Veres and IN.SIGHT by the Fabia Mantwill Orchestra, led by Berlin-based composer, saxophonist, and vocalist Fabia Mantwill. She also produced “Colony” by Mumbai-based vocal trio Queendom.

Two courses proved especially transformative during her time at Berklee. The first, Production Concepts for the Contemporary Performer, introduced her to recording and engineering as creative tools.

“I loved how recording wasn’t taught as just a technical process," she said. "The way you mic an instrument can change the emotional feel. It was all about storytelling through sound."

The second was Contemporary Ensemble with Albert Palau and Lucas Martín, where she wrote full scores for multiple instruments for the first time. Together, these experiences strengthened her confidence not only as a performer and songwriter, but also as a composer and producer shaping every layer of her music.

Now back home in India, Sharma is developing her next album with Hard. The project reflects her growth—from delicate, “sweet-sounding” work to a more assertive and mature sound shaped by her time at Berklee and her experience living in Spain.

Looking ahead, Sharma hopes to champion more women in production and recording environments, particularly in India, where access and representation remain limited. To current Berklee students and alumni, she offers simple advice: 

“Be open. Try the things you think you won’t be good at. The most unexpected spaces may end up becoming the foundation of your artistry.”