Pop Ambassador, Berklee Student Alicia Vermaele Sings R&B for the Future King and Queen of Belgium

BOSTON, September 16, 2005 — Berklee College of Music student Alicia Vermaele returned to her native country of Belgium for two weeks this summer to sing for Belgium's Prince Filip and Princess Mathilde, and other members of the nation's elite. It was the first time in history that R&B and pop, rather than classical, was formally performed in front of Belgium's royal family.

Vermaele, a major in Music Business/Management and Performance, adds the honor to an impressive list of musical achievements. In 2002, she won first place – out of 30 total contestants – on Una Voce Particolare, a popular music-themed television show broadcast in Holland, Belgium, and other parts of Europe. She is the recipient of the Rotary Club's Studax Scholarship, the Berklee World Scholarship, the Music Business/Management Scholarship, as well as the Student Achievement Award.

Press: to inquire about photo availability and usage, please e-mail us. Berklee Student Alicia Vermaele (left) is congratulated by Prince Filip of Belgium after her performance.

"The princes told me she was touched by my performance," said Vermaele, who performed Lara Fabian's "Broken Vow," and Mariah Carey's "Hero," at the concert. "We talked about Berklee for a while; she found it amazing that there was a college with over 3,000 students that taught solely contemporary music studies. She also congratulated me for my good grades, which were announced before my performance."

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 over 70 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 editorial information or digital photos, the media may contact:

Nick Balkin
Office of Public Information
(617) 747-2247
nbalkin@berklee.edu