BOSTON, December 11, 2002 — Berklee College of Music Board of Trustees Chair Allan T. McLean has announced the appointment of Neil Diercks '93 to the Berklee College of Music Board of Trustees.

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Diercks attended Miramonte & Las Lomas High Schools. In 1989, Diercks moved to Boston and began his studies as a vocal principle at Berklee. He graduated Magna cum Laude in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music degree. A Professional Music major, his focus was songwriting and music business. After graduation, Diercks moved back to the Bay Area, taught voice, wrote songs, and performed in local bands.

Press: to inquire about photo availability and usage, please e-mail us. Berklee Board of Trustees Chair Allan T. McLean, new Trustee Neil Diercks '93, and President Lee Eliot Berk

Diercks returned to Boston and from 1998 to 1999 worked as the house manager and events coordinator of the Berklee Performance Center, under the direction and guidance of Rob Rose, Mike Marchetti and Brad Berger. He credits these three mentors with providing "invaluable professional experience and wisdom."

During a March 1999 Berklee trip to Nashville, led by Songwriting Professor Pat Pattison, Diercks realized that Music City was where he needed to be.

Now a resident of Nashville, Diercks is employed with Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., where he has worked since 1999 under the direction of GM / Executive VP Tim Wipperman; VP Dale Bobo; and VP Production, Michael Knox. This past year, Diercks has served as Manager, A&R Activities, generating publishing revenue, discovering writer and artist talent, and finding songs for major label artists to record. His previous positions included Production Department Intern, Associate Production Manager, and Associate Manager, Creative.

Since April, Diercks has been President of the Nashville Berklee Alumni Chapter, helping to strengthen ties between the college and the growing number of Berklee alumni in the Nashville area, from new transplants, to those who have been in Nashville for over 20 years.

"It's vital that the perspective of our alumni is represented among the college's trustees, our top policy-setting body," said Berklee President Lee Eliot Berk. "Neil Diercks has been assisting our alumni with the transitions of moving from Boston to Nashville, and has been active in the annual Berklee Trip to Nashville, which provides Berklee students and area alumni an intimate view of the music industry in the city. His work with Warner/Chappell has given him an important, real-world 'take' on what is useful for the careers of both alumni and students, and we're thrilled to have his voice added to the Board."

"My years at Berklee have had a profound impact on my life and professional career," said Diercks. "Berklee provided me with solid music fundamentals and taught me methods for their application in contemporary music. The Berklee institution and education is one of a kind. I credit this to three main areas of the college: the visionaries of the institution, like President Berk and Executive VP Gary Burton, along with the unparalleled faculty. There were a number of professors that literally shaped my life and future career: Charles Sorrento (voice), Henry Tate (art history) and Pat Pattison (songwriting), who encouraged me to move to Nashville; and finally, the talented students the college attracts."

Diercks continued, "Berklee occupies a pivotal place in the music industry. It provides an environment for students to develop their talents and skills. As a student grows, the college then becomes a springboard for the student to launch a career in the industry. My time in Nashville has shown me that nurturing and strengthening the relationship between Berklee and the music industry is invaluable to both entities. Thus, I look forward to continuing to increase my involvement with the college, alumni chapter, and Nashville music industry."

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For over half a century, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With over a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing 70 plus countries, and a music industry "who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today — and tomorrow.

For more information, please contact:

Toni Ballard
Publicist
Berklee College of Music
(617) 747-2247 or tballard@berklee.edu