Applications Open for Berklee in Santo Domingo 2024

Berklee in Santo Domingo is now accepting applications for its 2024 session, to be held January 8–13, at the National Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo. 

Presented by Berklee College of Music, the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic, the National Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo, the AES Dominicana Foundation, and Itabo, Berklee in Santo Domingo is open only to residents of the island who are at least 15 years of age by the start of the program, and who have been playing an instrument or singing for a minimum of six months. Candidates who are accepted into the program will attend at no cost. 

“We are grateful for the continued support of our partners at the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic, the National Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo, AES Dominicana Foundation, and Itabo,” said Berklee Interim President and Provost David Bogen. “We believe strongly in the importance of this program that offers students not only access to high-quality music education but also the opportunity to imagine and create a future through the arts.”  

Leading the program and Berklee faculty will be Fernando Huergo ’92, the program’s academic director and a professor in the Bass Department, and the program’s administrative director, Jason Camelio, assistant vice president for global enrollment initiatives.

“This program is a golden opportunity for local talent, and we encourage musicians to submit their applications to participate in this new edition of the program,” said Milagros Germán, minister of culture, Dominican Republic. “We are committed to supporting and promoting musical education, as well as endorsing educational programs of this kind. Berklee in Santo Domingo will thus always have the full support from our ministry.” 

The program will include six days of intensive study from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with lectures and classes encompassing theory, ear training, improvisation, ensemble performance, and instrumental instruction. A series of master classes from Berklee faculty and special guest artists in composition, arranging, and songwriting will be conducted as part of the cohort as well ensemble groups. A final concert will be presented by students on the last day to mark the end of the program. The Berklee faculty members will also perform a concert for program participants and the general public.

“We invite our young artists to participate in Berklee in Santo Domingo in January 2024, where a dedicated team is preparing to make a lasting impact on the lives of our young artists,” said Edwin De los Santos, president of AES Dominicana. “The AES Dominican Foundation and Itabo are thrilled to contribute to the success of this program once again in support of Dominican talent and the creative economy, providing the best platforms and tools to stimulate our creative and innovation industries in the Dominican Republic.” 

In addition, Berklee’s admissions team will hold auditions and interviews for selected students who are interested in being admitted to the college’s full-time undergraduate program, while other selected students may qualify for merit-based scholarships to attend the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive summer program.

Applications for Berklee in Santo Domingo, together with supporting materials demonstrating musical experience and talents, must be submitted via the online form by November 24, 2023. Accepted musicians will be announced on December 1, 2023.

About AES Dominicana Foundation

The AES Dominicana Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works for the protection of the Earth and the well-being of its inhabitants. Since 2015, AES has supported more than 40 outstanding young musicians from the National Conservatory of Music, providing them scholarships to Berklee summer programs.