The Berklee at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival program is a music intensive for professional and semi-professional musicians that provides a unique opportunity to enhance your artistic proficiency and expand your musical vocabulary. The program will take place from Monday, June 16, to Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Essaouira, Morocco.
The program is held over five days at one of the most culturally vibrant musical crossroads in the world – Essaouira, Morocco. You will engage in performances with musicians from diverse corners of the world, exposing you to various grooves, rhythms, and harmonic and improvisational concepts. Renowned Berklee faculty members will guide you on approaches to merge multicultural musical elements in both music composition and performance experiences with peers from around the world. Academic director Leo Blanco has designed the pedagogical approach for this program so that is inclusive and enriching and goes beyond technical skills to encompass cultural understanding and appreciation.
The program takes place in Essaouira, Morocco, in partnership with the Gnaoua and World Music Festival. The workshop is open to all musicians (see eligibility guidelines), from classical to Gnaoua, from pop and rock to jazz, and more! During the program, you will have the opportunity to absorb the atmosphere of historic Essaouira, immerse yourself in Gnaoua musical traditions, and attend mainstage performances at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival.
All candidates must submit an online application and links to three (3) videos that demonstrate their technical and musical skills on their principal instrument.
Applications will be reviewed, and decisions will be made on an ongoing basis. The application deadline is Friday, May 2, 2025.
Space in the program is limited. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Am I eligible?
Eligible candidates will be 18 years old or older at the start of the program and will have at least two (2) years of performance experience on their principal instrument. This program is designed for actively performing musicians seeking to advance their skills as improvisers.
What are the program costs?
The Tuition for the five-day program will be $420 USD/4200 MAD.
What is the program like?
Program Topics will include the following:
The Improviser as Composer
Where composition and improvisation meet
Survey of great composers and improvisers (from classical to contemporary)
Melody, harmony, and rhythm
Building Your Creative Vocabulary
Chords scales and using them to create melodies and harmonies
Survey of styles, rhythmic feel, and groove
Approaches for practicing improvisation
Styles, Grooves, and Accompaniment Labs
Survey of popular styles and how to play them
Stylistic interpretation and musical expression
Groove playing: how to listen, lock in, and support
Accompaniment skills-building
Performance classrooms are equipped with rhythm section instruments; large lectures are supported by audio, visual, and digital presentations; a dedicated outdoor stage is available for daily jam sessions; and practice rooms, support staff, and administrators meet students' individual needs. Additionally, all students will receive free passes to the main stage at the 2025 Gnaoua and World Music Festival concerts.
The program will be taught in English with Arabic Translation.
What is the program schedule?
The workshop will take place over five consecutive days, and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Additional evening activities and events will occur at the discretion of the program organizers and Berklee.
Who are the program instructors?
Leo Blanco (`97), Professor of Piano, Academic Director of the Berklee at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival Program
Jason Camelio, (MM`01) Assistant Vice President, Berklee Global
Bri Tagliaferro (MM`19), Associate Director of Berklee Global Partners and Programs
Where is the program located?
The program will be held in Essaouira, Morocco.
Where will I stay?
Participants are required to make their own housing arrangements.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact: Berklee Global Programs and Partnerships Berklee College of Music 1140 Boylston Street, MS-855 GI Boston, MA 02215-3693 U.S.A. Telephone: 617-747-2700, or toll-free: 877-Berklee (U.S. and Canada) Email: globalprograms@berklee.edu
