Meet Graduates from Berklee's Class of 2026
Image by Dave Green
This weekend Berklee celebrates its latest class of graduates from Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Berklee Online.
On May 9, in ceremonies held at Agganis Arena and the Berklee Performance Center, more than 1,400 graduates from 60 countries and all 50 US states will walk across the stage and enter into an exciting new phase in their artistic and professional lives.
In honor of this achievement, we asked a few of these students to reflect on their time at Berklee and look ahead to what's next for them. Here are their stories.
Image courtesy of Audrey Curdo
Audrey Curdo
Hometown: Wilmington, Massachusetts
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Major: Musical Theater, Dance Emphasis
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
I was an active member of Boston Conservatory’s Tap Club, where I found both a strong sense of community and meaningful creative growth. One of my most memorable experiences was performing in the annual Tap Showcase, which was also my very first performance at the Conservatory as a freshman. That moment connected me with an incredible network of peers across all class years and varying majors, including amazing collaborations with Berklee College of Music musicians, and it inspired me to become more deeply involved in the club.
In the years that followed, I took on increasing leadership within the club. As a sophomore, I served as social media and marketing manager while also choreographing and performing. In my junior year, I stepped into the role of head choreographer, continuing to perform while helping shape the overall production.
As a senior, I was honored to take on the role of copresident alongside my best friend, Sophie Shaw. I’ve had the opportunity to direct, produce, choreograph, and perform in this spectacular showcase. Bringing this year’s production to life was both ambitious and demanding, but ultimately one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Berklee.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
This summer, I’m thrilled to be working at The Muny in their production of Hairspray, where I’ll be playing Lou Ann. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I'm so excited to be part of such a joyful and iconic show.
In the fall, I’ll be moving to New York City to pursue a career in musical theater. I plan to audition for national tours, regional theaters, and Broadway, and to give this next chapter everything I have. While performing on Broadway is my ultimate goal, I’m just as excited to see where this path leads. I’m deeply grateful to the faculty at Boston Conservatory for their guidance and training, which has prepared me so well for what's ahead.
Follow Audrey on Instagram or visit her website.
Image by Emily Adie
Jonathan Motes
Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Major: Voice Performance
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
My performance as Goloud in Debussy’s Impressions de Pelléas sticks out to me because at the beginning of the learning process, it felt like an impossible project to conquer. Not only was it tons of music in my least comfortable language (French), it was a completely unique style to anything else I’d ever performed. The reason I’m so proud of my performance was that I put in the work every single day to make it happen, and it paid off. It’s an incredible feeling to overcome something that you once thought was impossible. I learned that I can do anything that I set my mind to, and that French isn’t so bad.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
In the short term, I’ll be teaching voice lessons at Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s Vocal/Choral Intensive summer program for the second year in a row, as well as auditioning for local opera and musical theater companies, and professional choirs. My long-term plan is to apply for and earn a Doctor of Musical Arts, the ultimate dream being a dual career of teaching voice and performing.
Follow Jonathan on Instagram.
Image courtesy of Beno Garcia
Beno Garcia
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Berklee College of Music Major: Independent Recording and Production
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
My most recent performance at Roadrunner opening up for Malcom Todd. It felt very full circle for my team and me. From playing at the Church Park rooftop our first year in Boston to a sold-out Roadrunner two years later. Very rewarding to see the progress.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
I am very exited to have been selected by the Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) to play Lollapalooza this summer in Chicago. I will be moving to New York to begin working on my first project.
Visit Beno's website.
Image courtesy of Carson Zuck
Carson Zuck
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Major: Composition
Minor: Screen Scoring
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
I am most proud of the Crossroads Collaboration between the College and Conservatory at Power Station at Berklee NYC. As both a composition student at the Conservatory and a screen scoring student at the College, this opportunity was the pinnacle of every aspect of my craft I have studied: score preparation, theory, orchestration, session management, rehearsal etiquette, and, of course, composition. Positioned uniquely at the intersection of the College and Conservatory, it was special to me to have an opportunity that amplified both aspects of my academic identity.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
I am happy to say that I will be accepting a full-tuition scholarship at the newly created Master of Arts in Film Scoring in Atlanta, led by Andrew Hill, as the Harry Gregson-Williams Scholar. After this incredible opportunity, I will be moving to Los Angeles to continue my career in the film music industry.
Follow Carson on Instagram and visit his website.
Image courtesy of Sarah Suarez
Sarah Suarez
Hometown: Colombia and Orlando, Florida
Berklee College of Music Majors: Songwriting and Music Therapy
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
In collaboration with the Berklee Music and Health Institute, I helped develop a music therapy program for adolescents in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a predominantly Latin American community. I also cocreated Nuestra Medicina, a women-focused community music program also in Chelsea, alongside a collaborator from Harvard Medical School, bringing together music, healing, and cultural identity in a way that feels deeply personal to me.
Being able to use music as a resource to give back to my community has been one of the greatest privileges of my time at Berklee, and it has pushed me to grow in ways I never anticipated. Alongside that work, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with incredible songwriters, producers, and engineers in writer's rooms and studios during my time, developing my craft in both English and Spanish and releasing music as an independent artist.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
This fall, I'll be moving to New York City to begin a music therapy internship at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, where I'll work with diverse communities across all five boroughs, as well as look for other opportunities in the industry. From there, I plan to continue expanding Nuestra Medicina, deepen my work as a music therapist, and establish myself as a sought-after songwriter for other artists, all while continuing to release and perform my own music in both English and Spanish.
Follow Sarah on Instagram and visit her website.
Image courtesy of Tarra Ruchee Ajwani
Tarra Ruchee Ajwani
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Berklee College of Music Major: Music Industry Leadership and Innovation
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
Getting to act as founding president of Berklee's first-ever Marketing Club has been one of my most gratifying projects as a student here. Under my six semesters of leadership, the club has scaled from an idea to a budding student group to now a prominent organization for music business students on campus. In this time, we've collaborated on semester-long projects with industry partners including Park Avenue Artists, ATC Management (New York), Sony Music Nashville, and BPMI.
As a music industry leadership and innovation major, my entire degree has been about identifying gaps and solving needs in the industry. When I first got to Berklee, there wasn't a dedicated space for aspiring marketing professionals, so I'm excited to be leaving Berklee having formed and scaled a student organization for music marketing, one that will hopefully continue to flourish long after my time here!
More recently, I got to be a TEDx Berklee Boston speaker. That was a special moment; my talk felt like a culmination and reflection of how my confidence and vision has grown as a global marketing professional in the music industry.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
I'm so excited to spend the summer with the Berklee Popular Music Institute, acting as tour manager for the band Good Sleepy as they play Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach, California and Montreal, Quebec. I'm simultaneously also going to be interning with the management of some artists I really admire, developing their digital fan engagement strategy. By the end of the summer semester, I'll be preparing to step into the industry as a music marketing professional with a focus on global strategy, fandom engagement, licensing, and partnerships. I'm especially looking forward to pursuing opportunities in the label world. I can't wait to see what lies ahead!
Follow Tarra on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Image courtesy of Rose Lao
Rose Lao
Hometown: Beijing, China
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Major: Clarinet Performance
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
Playing in the Celebration Concert of the United Nations General Assembly at Carnegie Hall was one of my most honored experiences at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. In this concert, I had the opportunity to perform works such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, which was both an exciting and deeply meaningful experience. I was able to apply both my individual technique and ensemble playing skills. It deepened my appreciation for the level of collaboration and musical awareness required in large ensembles, where listening, responding, and individual performance are all crucial. More importantly, this experience reinforced my belief that music can transcend cultural and national boundaries, highlighting its unique power to communicate and connect.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Post-graduation, I will join the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra as second clarinet. In the future, I hope to continue growing as a clarinetist and musician. I hope that my music can communicate and inspire, creating meaningful experiences and connections.
Follow Rose on Instagram.
Image courtesy of Carolina Ramos Fontoura
Carolina Ramos Fontoura
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
Berklee College of Music Major: Games and Interactive Media Scoring
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
The Berklee Crossroads Collaboration was the most life-changing event for me. I was able to record my original composition at Power Station, where artists like Lady Gaga, Lin-Manuel Maranda, and Keith Jarrett recorded. Not only that, but I built an everlasting community with my fellow colleagues, mentors, and engineers. This was the largest real-world experience I've had in the music scene as an interactive media composer, and it has strengthened my ability as a composer and collaborator.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Thanks to Berklee's Screen Scoring Department, I have gained a position as the sole composer for indie game company Timeless Toucan, where we are currently in production creating a new co-op game. As for location, I hope to move to either LA or Vienna to purse a master's degree in film scoring while continuing to create educational content for aspiring media and interactive media composers.
Follow Carolina on Instagram and LinkedIn, and visit her website.
Image courtesy of Nigel Clifford
Nigel Clifford
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Major: Contemporary Dance
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
Performing and being a part of the creation process of Aszure Barton’s “Ellipsis” during my
freshman year at Boston Conservatory at Berklee is something I’m most proud of during my time here. It took a great deal of vulnerability and openness, because we weren’t just learning choreography, we were helping bring a vision to life through the creative process. Being a part of that process has helped shape the way I approach both creation and performance and taught me the importance of collaboration, trust in the process, and showing up to the studio as my true authentic self every day.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
My short-term goal is to gain as much performing and creating experience as possible, whether through company work or project-based opportunities. I have a deep passion for the creative process and for being in environments where collaboration, experimentation, and individuality are at the center of the work. My long-term goal is to take the hands-on experience I gain through these opportunities and apply it to a career as an educator in Canada, passing on what I’ve learned throughout my career to the next generation of artists.
Follow Nigel on Instagram and visit his website.
Image courtesy of Sydney Sanaa
Sydney Sanaa
Hometown: Gary and Crown Point, Indiana
Berklee College of Music Major: Professional Music
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
The project I am most proud of during my time at Berklee is my capstone EP and caf show, Soliloquy by Sydney Sanaa. The project became a testimony of my growth not only as an artist, but as a person navigating adulthood, creativity, and perseverance while graduating from Berklee at just 19 years old after graduating high school early at 16.
What made the experience so meaningful was that many of the songs were written during different stages of my life, so performing them years later gave the music an entirely new meaning. The show itself was a fully immersive experience that combined live arrangements, a mix of genres (R&B, alternative, pop, jazz, hip-hop, and country), both original music and covers, choreography, costume changes, and projected film excerpts from my documentary that included poetry and visuals that gave the show a whimsical, musical theater flare.
Through Soliloquy, I learned how to blossom creatively, collaborate with others, and turn deeply personal experiences into something others can see themselves in. Creating at this level has been a dream and I am so inspired to create even larger shows like this.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
Over the summer, I plan to continue working on music and finish my debut EP that is set to release this season. I also will be out in Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles writing, recording, performing, working, and further developing my career and artistry.
My long-term plans are to continuing to pursue my music career, not only as an artist, but as a songwriter, creative director, actress, and arranger. I have many creative influences that dive into things like food, activism, and fashion; so the biggest goal of mine is to continue evolving and becoming as diverse as possible. I will always strive to build worlds around what I do; being so immersed to the point where your art becomes your voice, I see it as a vessel to give back to the communities that supported me. An additional fun goal of mine is to return back to school to complete a degree in neuropsychology. I think it would be so intriguing to study the impact of music in this field and to pour that passion into my own craft.
Follow Sydney on Instagram and TikTok, and visit her website.
Image courtesy of Rianne Thomas
Rianne Thomas
Hometown: Thibodaux, Louisiana
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Major: Commercial Dance
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
One of the performances I’m most proud of was the Michael Jackson Ensemble during my freshman year (2024). As my first major production, I had the opportunity to serve as cochoreographer and dance captain alongside Anthony Burrell and Tia Fuller, which pushed me beyond my comfort zone in both leadership and artistry. The long rehearsal process strengthened my discipline, professionalism, and ability to collaborate at a high level. Performing again at the Amplify Berklee Gala with DJ Jazzy Jeff made the experience even more full-circle. It shaped me not only as a dancer, but as a confident and intentional artist.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
After graduation, I plan to move to New York City to pursue opportunities in Broadway and musical theater, while remaining open to opportunities in Atlanta or Los Angeles and continuing my work with Clear Talent Group Agency. Long term, I aspire to choreograph, perform, and tour with Christian artists, while also exploring acting, singing, modeling, and dance. Ultimately, I want to walk in the purpose God has for my life—using my artistry to inspire others and bring them closer to Jesus.
Follow Rianne on Instagram, and visit her website.
Image by Ryan Nava
Anwen Borgo
Hometown: Montrose, Colorado
Berklee College of Music Major: Film and Media Scoring
What project or performance during your time at Berklee are you most proud of, and how does it connect to what you’ve learned here?
Without a doubt, it would be recording at Power Station with six of my fellow film composers and the fantastic Boston Conservatory players. Not only was recording in one of the most famous and beautiful studios an experience of a lifetime, but being able to do it with my friends, faculty, and fellow musicians was incredibly special. The level of musicianship and professionalism mixed with genuine care and collaboration allowed us to create something bigger than what any one of us could do. It was an incredible experience, and I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and the Screen Scoring Department faculty.
What are your short- and long-term plans, post-graduation?
My short-term plans are to attend Thornton School of Music at University of Southern California to complete a master's degree in screen scoring. After USC, I plan to become a composer's assistant and continue scoring my own projects, including a feature-length film for award–winning director Emilie Lowe.
Follow Anwen on Instagram, LinkedIn, and IMDB, and visit her website.
