Berklee in Puerto Rico

You can apply here now.

This program is open to residents of Puerto Rico only. You must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program, and have been playing your instrument (or singing) for a minimum of six months to attend the program. You will need to submit supporting material demonstrating your musical experience and abilities. The preferred format is links to videos or audio demonstrating your musical abilities.

The Berklee in Puerto Rico program includes:

• Harmony and Chord Scales: This lecture will demonstrate how to use contemporary harmony and chord scales to enhance your performance, improvisation, comping, and writing skills.
• Instrumental Technique: You will participate in classes covering techniques specific to their instrument. Insights into practicing and improvisation will be presented.
• Ensembles: You will be assigned an ensemble in order to apply the skills you learned in lecture classes. You will perform in a final concert at the end of the program.
• Special Lectures: Faculty and special guest artists will present master classes on the topics of composition, arranging, and songwriting. You will work in a helpful, noncritical environment with faculty who are world-renowned for their knowledge, teaching skills, and empathy with students.

Berklee in Puerto Rico is made possible with generous support from Berklee alumnus and trustee Luis Alvarez '83, vice president of Mendez & Company, Inc. and executive producer of the Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest. In addition to helping coordinate the program, Alvarez and his corporation will donate $20,000 for the Mendez & Co. Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest Scholarship, which will be awarded at the end of the Berklee in Puerto Rico program.

For more details about the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival, please visit prheinekenjazz.com

A limited number of places are available in a program track that would allow eligible applicants to take this program for one (1) college credit, at a tuition fee of $200 USD. 

Participants who are accepted into the for-credit track, in addition to taking the standard schedule of classes, will have an additional requirement for a final presentation to the special lecture group as part of their afternoon classwork. This will include an evaluation of both their performance in the final concert with their ensemble and an their final presentation. 

Applicants who are accepted to this track will receive complete details after receiving their program decision. 

All candidates will receive the same evaluation process, regardless of your preference for program track, so please select the option that is most appealing for you. Applicants who are not accepted to the for-credit program may still be accepted to the standard program.

Escuela Belles Artes Carolina
Ave. Manuel Fernández Juncos
Carolina, Puerto Rico

Berklee in Puerto Rico faculty will include:

• Fernando Huergo (academic director, bass), professor, Bass Department
• Eguie Castrillo (hand percussion), associate professor, Percussion Department

Classes will generally run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

You are required to make your own housing arrangements.

General program tuition is $65. For-credit tuition is $200.

Early decisions for applicants who apply by April 7 will be sent on April 14. Applicants who apply after April 7 will be issued decisions on May 5. Further information about the decision process will be provided when the application opens on February 1, 2017.

For more information, please contact:

Office of Global Initiatives
Berklee College of Music
1140 Boylston Street, MS-855 GI
Boston, MA 02215-3693 U.S.A.
Telephone: + 1-617-747-2700 or
Toll-free at 877-Berklee (U.S. and Canada)
Email: bor@berklee.edu