Boston Conservatory Student Finds Unexpected Path to Dream Career at the BIRN

A student majoring in musical theater at the Boston Conservatory finds an outlet for her love of pop music and broadcasting at the Berklee Internet Radio Network.

April 7, 2016

Sarah Brown, a Boston Conservatory student majoring in musical theater, found the missing piece on Berklee’s campus that has allowed her to explore and pursue one of her major interests in addition to musical theater: broadcasting. Brown is hosting a weekly pop music program on the Berklee Internet Radio Network (the BIRN), while pursuing her bachelor of fine arts degree and auditioning for professional theater.   

The Torrance, California, native learned about the BIRN at a student government association meeting at the Conservatory and that students there were welcome to apply. Brown had once considered a career in broadcasting. Now studying musical theater on one campus, and broadcasting at another, she’s found the perfect fit for her goals.

“At first, I was intimidated to join,” she said. “Berklee students have such distinct tastes in music. I love pop tunes and Top 40 radio.”

After five weeks of training in the BIRN studios, Brown debuted her show, How to Pop, which airs on Thursdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. While she finds the challenge to build playlists for her show each week has expanded her musical tastes, she still makes time for songs by her favorite pop artists like Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, and Sara Bareilles. She also works in songs from musical theater productions like Hamilton.

In addition to her show, Brown also manages social media and communications for the BIRN. Her work has given her the confidence to consider spending the summer in New York interning at a radio station and auditioning for musicals. Brown has performed in West Side Story, Godspell, and Beauty and the Beast both on and off campus.