Melissa Howe Named Chief of Staff

Melissa Howe was recently appointed the chief of staff to Berklee President Roger H. Brown. Howe comes to the Office of the President after serving for five years as the chair of the String Department and for 21 years as a faculty member.

A violinist and violist, Howe has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Ballet, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and others. Her work has also given her opportunities to perform with Björk, Aerosmith, Branford Marsalis, Rascal Flatts, Paul Simon, Harry Connick Jr., Aretha Franklin, and many more.

She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from Oberlin College and a master of music degree and a Ph.D. from Boston University. As the chief of staff, Howe will ensure that the goals of the Office of the President, Berklee’s Board of Trustees, and the college as a whole are aligned and achieved.

“The aperture of my Berklee lens has gotten wider and wider with each of my moves from part-time faculty to full-time faculty to chair to chief of staff,” Howe says. “It’s an honor to serve in this new role. I look forward to working my hardest and giving my best to help Berklee thrive.”