Meet Graduates from Berklee's Class of 2025
Image by Kelly Davidson
This weekend Berklee celebrates its latest class of graduates from Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory, and Berklee Online.
On May 10, in ceremonies held at Agganis Arena and the Berklee Performance Center, more than 1,500 graduates from 75 countries and all 50 US states will receive their diplomas and enter into an exciting new phase in their artistic and professional lives.
In honor of this achievement, we asked a few of these students to reflect on their time at Berklee and look ahead to what's next for them. Here are their stories.
Image courtesy of Yulia Maeda
Yulia Maeda
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Major: Commercial Dance
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
A performance that I am most proud of during my time at Berklee is opening the mainstage performances at KCON LA at the Crypto.com Arena in 2023 and 2024! I was sponsored by the Boston Conservatory and CJ ENM, and received the opportunity to choreograph 88rising-signed artist and Berklee alum Piao BM ’20's set at KCON LA in 2023.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
After graduation, I plan on moving to LA, where I will continue to perform and choreograph! Eventually, I plan to sign bicoastally and internationally as well and begin working in South Korea, China, and Japan. My ultimate goal as an artist is to choreograph for tours, films, and music videos!
Follow Yulia on Instagram or visit her website.
Image courtesy of Dillon Brady
Dillon Brady
Hometown: Delaware
Principal Instrument: Drums
Major: Music Production and Engineering
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
My capstone for MP-461 was the project I am the most proud of that I've done during my time at Berklee. What I learned is how to become a better producer and expand my creativity. Being able to work with others and help bring their vision to life brings me so much happiness, and it also helps to know I'm getting better and improving on my craft in the process.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
After graduation, I'm going back home for a little bit, and I will be interning with Adam Blackstone's company BBE (BASSic Black Entertainment). I plan on seeing how that goes and just finding consistent work and making a living off music any way I can.
Follow Dillon on Instagram.
Image courtesy of Maya Phelan
Maya Phelan
Hometown: Burlington, Vermont
Principal Instrument: Voice
Major: Music Therapy
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
Without a doubt, it would have to be my directed study that I completed during my seventh semester here at Berklee. I researched and studied the multi-layered roles of music therapy in pediatric intensive care units. I had the opportunity to interview both a registered nurse working at the University of Vermont in the ICU, as well as a former critical care music therapist who is now working in hospice care. This project truly helped set me up for success when applying to critical care internship programs. Outside of music therapy, playing gigs around Boston with my insanely talented best friends has been extremely fulfilling.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Following graduation, I will be moving to San Francisco to complete my six-month internship at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital as a critical care music therapy intern. I will be working with critically ill children and their families, as well as running a group for adolescents in the oncology unit. Long term, I plan to return to school to receive both my master's and doctoral degrees. Once I have completed those degrees, I will open my private practice for creative therapies, providing holistic care by integrating various forms of therapeutic interventions to address the physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of each child. The approach will combine music therapy with other complementary therapeutic techniques to create a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.
Follow Maya on LinkedIn.
Image courtesy of Renato Siebert
Renato Siebert
Hometown: Concepción, Chile
Principal Instrument: Voice
Major: Music Business/Management
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
Being part of the organizational committee for Career Jam 2025 as a student ambassador was one of the most fulfilling experiences I've had at Berklee. It really aligned with the leadership and teamwork skills I've developed here. I had the chance to get deeply involved and help organize an amazing panel. A lot of good things came out of that Career Jam, and it’s been incredible to see the impact. I'm also proud to be on the founding board of the Latin Management Club, launching next fall. Even though I won’t be on campus, I’m super excited to help bring this club to life and support its growth.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Right now, I'm staying in Boston to finish a few remaining credits. Once I complete them, I’ll be moving to Miami. My goal is to work in A&R within the Latin market. Currently, I’m working remotely with a music licensing company based in Miami, and I hope to continue with them full-time once I relocate. Long-term, I plan to start my own artist development company and help strengthen the bridge between Latin American talent and the global market.
Follow Renato on LinkedIn.
Image by Teddy Kent
Rachel "Ray" McFarlane
Hometown: Canada
Principal Instrument: Violin
Major: Dual major in Film and Media Scoring and Games and Interactive Media Scoring (GAIMS)
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
The EA Charting Change Scholarship allowed me to be a part of so many cool video game projects and learn techniques from industry professionals which I was able to later translate onto my own recording projects for my film and video game classes. I was also an arranger for the Micheal Jackson Ensemble, which strengthened my programming skills and my ability to arrange only using my ear.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Thanks to the Berklee Screen Scoring Department, I'll be heading out to Vienna to work with Red Bull Media House to compose cinematic music for their upcoming music library album. I'll also be moving to LA to become a composer's assistant and music editor on various projects.
Follow Rachel on Instagram and her website, and read her student spotlight.
