Student Spotlight: Joel Quatrocchi

What’s it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience—what they’re learning in class, what kinds of projects they’re involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they’re listening to. This week, get to know music production and engineering major Joel Quatrocchi, an eighth-semester guitarist and producer from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

Follow Joel on Instagram.

Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?

While watching Rock Discipline by John Petrucci [’86], I learned about Berklee College of Music for the first time and how John was a student here. I did my research and became obsessed with finally receiving the type of education I had desired for so long. I could not believe a place like Berklee existed. I prepared myself for the audition and dramatically improved. Unfortunately, financial constraints prevented me from attending my audition in Boston. I decided to study computer engineering until I could find a way of making it to Berklee. After a few years, at the age of 20, I gradually gave up on music as a career, landed a job working for my government defense and aerospace agency on satellite and radar software development, had a stable economy, traveled the world, graduated, had everything I could desire but was lacking regardless. In December of 2016, in Guatemala City, while tracking guitars with a professional producer for the first time, it suddenly struck me: "I could enjoy doing this nonstop, even at 77." Music is one of those things you never really retire from. That little snippet of studio life reminded me of how happy I was when writing my first songs while preparing for the auditions. From that moment on, I tried everything I could to get here. In 2018, I applied to Berklee, auditioned in March 2019 in Buenos Aires at EMC [Escuela de Música Contemporánea], got accepted and awarded the Berklee World Tour scholarship, and finally started my dream studies at my dream school in the summer of 2020.

What's been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?

Choosing just one class from the 52 I took is no easy task. I had numerous professors who expanded my horizons and imparted the knowledge that shaped me into the person and musician I am today. I wish I could mention them all. One of them is Prince Charles Alexander, and his MP-460 Advanced Commercial Record Production Projects course played a pivotal role in my growth as a producer. The course challenged me to produce professionally crafted commercial songs every two weeks, covering songwriting, recording, production, and mixing. Pushing it even further project to project while keeping up with my other classes and student employment positions was a much-needed challenge. This experience set the bar high, exposing me to the industry's expected standards. It honed my ability to deliver exceptional results within strict time constraints. I learned to be resourceful and adaptable, as projects sometimes encounter setbacks with studio availability, artist schedules, and technical issues. Nevertheless, deadlines and expectations remain the same. When you respect your teacher and classmates, dropping the ball is never an option, so you get creative on command!

What's a project you've worked on since coming to Berklee that you've been especially excited about?

I am particularly thrilled about two current projects for international artists. However, I cannot disclose any details at this time, but hopefully, I will be able soon. There is a project that holds a special place as it grew and resonated within the industry. During Berklee's 2022 Industry Bootcamp for the Billboard Hot 100 Club, I produced a track called "Devil in the Details" for Asia James. This song got selected by Mathew Flores, the A&R [representative from] Elektra Records (Warner Music Group), and received recent praise from Tate McRae during Asia's Protégé sessions!

Watch: Tate McRae reacts to "Devil in the Details," produced by Joel Quatrocchi:

How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?

Lots of YouTube, Twitch, and Tidal. Watching other producers' livestreams (shout-out to Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa's producer) or critically listening to the music I love; deconstructing it in moments or "strategic moves"; and analyzing its writing, arranging, sound design, harmonic choices, and note choices helps me understand why certain music elements resonate with me. In the end, that's how I develop my sound. I like to share my findings with my teachers and colleagues, eagerly listening to their thoughts and feedback. I get outside of my box this way.

What careers are you interested in pursuing in the future?

I love music production and every single task that comes with it. I also love writing, mixing, and engineering records. Being a music producer enables me to merge all of them under one roof.

When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most?

I think Zedd is amazing. Zedd has pushed the boundaries of electronic and pop music. What I love about Zedd is his ability to fuse different music styles and create hooky songs while remaining extremely musical. He is always striving for perfection, and I am the same way. His sound design is just mesmerizing. He is also a generous and kind person. He supported charities, upcoming musicians, and fans. I hope to one day be able to say that I followed in his footsteps, pursuing my passion and making a positive difference in the world.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to your high school self?

Just keep going, keep trying. Things might not happen the way or at the time you anticipated. Just hold on a little longer, and do not give in.

Joel Quatrocchi’s Five Favorite Tracks of the Moment

We asked Joel to pick five of his favorite songs right now, and tell us a bit about why he selected each. Here’s what he said:

1. “Mourning,” Post Malone

Reason: The chords' beauty, the bittersweet conveyance, the lush ambiance of delays and reverbs, the infectious melody, and the showcase of conveying complex feelings without complexity.

2. “Lavender Haze,” Taylor Swift

The gnarly bass, unconventional vocal chops, and formant-shifted vocal loop create a uniquely crafted song. The cohesiveness and laidback beat enhance a captivating spaciousness, allowing the vocals to shine.

3. “Make You Say,” Zedd, Maren Morris, BEAUZ

Zedd's signature sound takes a fresh spin in a new collaboration with Maren Morris, reminiscent of [Zedd’s] "The Middle." The drops showcase a flawless balance between engagement and musicality. Zedd's production demonstrates pure mastery.

4. “Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny

The synths in this song are stunningly beautiful. The topline melody undergoes a captivating development, featuring strong moments that amplify the lyrics with unconventional note choices for a pop song.

5. “Move Me,” Charli XCX

Reason: Everything. The vocal production, track production, layers, sound design, mix, energy development, transitions, fillers, vocal chops, and loops. Ian [Kirkpartick's] best productions are like a masterful game of Tetris, where seemingly unrelated sounds come together to form a cohesive unit. Each element serves a purpose in the song, creating clear and identifiable units that contribute to its overall impact.