Berklee Summer Programs Help Student Launch Career

When Gray Robinson first came to Berklee’s summer programs, she was a shy 13-year-old who found it difficult to sing in front of others. But after one class in which she played a song for Jon Aldrich, an associate professor of songwriting, she changed.

“He was blown away,” Robinson, now 15, says of Aldrich’s reaction. Encouraged, Robinson—who recently wrapped up a third summer at Berklee—dashed off another song in 45 minutes that night.

“It was apparent that she had the knack to create a well-written song,” Aldrich says.     

His vote of confidence has altered the course of Robinson’s young life. “I could give all the credit to Jon,” she says. “He’s the one who told me I was amazing. From then on I’ve been singing and doing as much as I can, and writing …. I’d say he basically started my career.”

That budding career now includes a YouTube channel with tens of thousands of views, recording sessions in New York City and Australia, and original songs available on iTunes.

Over the course of her three summers at Berklee, Robinson has attended the Guitar Sessions, the Songwriting Workshop, and two Five-Week Summer Performance programs. While here, she’s performed in the cafe series and the sidewalk series, made the country ensemble, and appeared in the singer-songwriter showcase.

“I love the Five-Week programs because you’re surrounded by everyone with music. I know it’s a short time, but the classes and everything—you get it all in five weeks,” she says. “Everything kind of takes your music to the next level.”

Five-Week Summer Performance classes include private instruction, instrumental labs, ensembles, performance lessons, and several hours each week devoted to studying the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic elements of music as well as developing a musical ear and improving reading skills. They are designed for young musicians who have been playing their instrument or singing for a minimum of six months.

One of the biggest things Robinson has gotten from Five-Week is the courage to overcome her stage fright. “Now it’s so easy. I can just sing whenever and perform whenever. And I think that the faculty members and the students have really supported me and encouraged me to do so,” she says.

Aldrich says Robinson’s progress over the past three summers at Berklee has been remarkable. “I have been witness to her astounding leap in ability year after year,” he says. “She began as a relative novice and has since escalated to a first-rate songwriter in that short time. Her knowledge of music theory has skyrocketed to that of a seasoned pro.”

Robinson is quickly becoming that pro. Her third iTunes song, recorded in Australia just days before starting at Berklee this year, was just released this month.