From Berklee Valencia to the World: Meet the Class of 2026 | Part 2

Liana Polanco 

Program: Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) 

Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what would be your proudest achievement or project, and your most memorable experience?

One of my proudest achievements was having the opportunity to collaborate on approximately 80 projects during my master’s degree. About half of them were guitar recording sessions, and the other half were live performances where I had the privilege of playing alongside my classmates. Without a doubt, there is more joy in giving than in receiving, and being able to contribute to so many projects was incredibly rewarding.

One of my most memorable experiences was when one of my classmates, Pablo Turlo, invited me to perform with him and his brother in Greece. It was a very special moment because I realized how meaningful the relationships we build at Berklee can become. It reminded me that the connections we make here extend far beyond the classroom, the campus, or even the year we spend together. They have the potential to last much longer than we can imagine.

As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?

I have several goals for the future. One of them is to continue performing live music that glorifies God. I also want to expand my music production services by offering not only guitar recording and arranging, but also professional mixing. Mixing is a skill I developed at Berklee, and I’m excited to begin offering it as part of my professional work.

Another aspiration is to continue composing and releasing my own instrumental music. Berklee has given me the confidence to believe that the music I create has value and that there is an audience who can genuinely connect with it. That realization has encouraged me to keep creating and sharing my own artistic voice.

What advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduate students now that you have lived experience?

My advice is to come ready to give your very best, to collaborate generously with others, and to work hard. This year is an incredibly enriching experience, but it becomes even more meaningful when everyone is willing to go the extra mile for one another.

I would also encourage future students to arrive with an open mind and to be flexible as they adapt their expectations to the academic journey. Some of the most valuable opportunities are the ones you never planned for.

As the saying goes, it’s not about the destination—it’s about the journey.

Alice O’Conor

Program: Music Production, Technology, and Innovation

Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what would be your proudest achievement or project, and your most memorable experience?

My proudest accomplishment at Berklee Valencia would be my Culminating Experience project. The project consists of an album of nine songs that I wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed all myself. I am particularly proud of it because at the beginning of the year I intended on doing an EP of six songs, but I had more material for a longer project and I went for it. This project was possible thanks to all I have learned during the year in terms of producing music, mixing, collaborating with artists, and more. It was such a fun project to work on and I got to bring so many amazing and talented people to help me with it, from musicians to engineers. I really poured all my heart and soul into this and it has a really special meaning for me because it is so personal.

As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?

I want to work more as a music producer/sound engineer and keep collaborating with various musicians and artists. I also am going to continue developing my personal artistic project and hopefully get to do concerts and gigs. I think Berklee was a great place to connect with people who are interested in the exact same things as you. This is an invaluable experience, as being surrounded by people like this helps you get the best from your creativity. Also, in terms of hands-on experiences, Berklee has a lot of facilities and very experienced teachers who give you all the tools to pursue a career in music.

What advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduate students now that you have lived experience?

I think the most important thing would be to connect and collaborate with as many people as you can. There are so many talented people at Berklee and you will always find someone who has the same interests as you. The most valuable thing that I take from my time at Berklee are the connections I made and the fact that I know I can trust these people with my eyes closed.

Harvey Morland

Program: Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games

Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what would be your proudest achievement or project, and your most memorable experience?

The highlight of my year would definitely be the recording session at AIR Studios, where I conducted my final project. This recording represented the culmination of everything I have learned throughout the program, and hearing the music I had spent so long laboring over performed by a world-class orchestra in such a beautiful space was one of the most rewarding musical experiences of my life. It is something I will remember for a very long time.

As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?

My aspirations are to pursue a career in composing for visual media. Berklee Valencia has not only helped me develop my abilities to a professional standard, but has also provided guidance on the potential paths I can take to reach my goal. Throughout the year, I have strengthened my skills across a range of areas that are essential to a career in film composition. Classes such as Narrative Analysis developed my understanding of storytelling and the ways in which music can support it. Orchestration classes expanded my ability to write for a wide range of ensembles, and classes in Music Technology enhanced my technical skills in production, recording, and creating professional-quality mock-ups. All of this has given me a more complete understanding of the role of a composer for visual media.

Beyond the academic aspects of the program, Berklee Valencia has provided invaluable insight into the realities of building a career in the industry. The Careers Summit, SFTV alumni talks, mentorship program, and continuous guidance from professors have all helped make my potential next steps clearer. Hearing from professionals has given me a greater understanding of the industry, the importance of collaboration and networking, and what is required to pursue a career as a composer.

Finally, what advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduate students now that you have lived experience?

My advice would be to utilize this unique opportunity to write music across such a wide range of styles, and use it as a chance to explore yourself as a composer. For me, this year has been a period of experimentation, where I was able to express myself without the usual pressures that come with professional work. Through this process, I feel I have developed a clearer understanding of my own aesthetic ideals as a composer, as well as the wide variety of styles through which I can express my voice in the service of a story. Furthermore, I have built a diverse portfolio of cues that reflects my abilities as I enter the professional space. 

Isabella Venna Lembo

Program: Global Entertainment and Music Business

Reflecting on your time at Berklee Valencia, what would be your proudest achievement or project, and your most memorable experience?

I had so many incredible opportunities and experiences during my time at Berklee Valencia. But one of the most rewarding parts of my time here was working on real-world projects while collaborating with artists, classmates, and industry professionals from all over the world.

In Music Marketing, for example, I developed an album release campaign for Idille, an independent band from Latvia, which challenged me to think strategically about audience development, storytelling, and positioning in an international, highly diverse context. Also, participating in class initiatives such as Transversal Week and Innovation Week pushed me to think creatively, solve problems in new ways, and work with people who approached challenges from very different perspectives.

Most of all, working at Disrupción Records as Head of Marketing & Branding was probably my proudest achievement. It gave me the chance to help shape the marketing direction of the label while supporting seven culturally diverse imprints and their artists. 

My most memorable experience, however, was meeting the people here. Berklee brings together talented musicians, entrepreneurs, and creatives from all over the world, and being able to learn, create, and build relationships with them every day gave me a truly global perspective on the music industry that I will carry with me long after graduation.

As you graduate, what are your aspirations and how do you believe Berklee Valencia has prepared you for the future?

Being at Berklee Valencia taught me so much about myself, both as a human being and as a professional. It helped me understand what my "superpowers" are and how I can bring the most value to the music industry.

In the future, I see myself working closely with people, helping artists grow their careers, and connecting ideas and opportunities. I've realized that what I enjoy most is working at the intersection of creativity, storytelling, and human connection.

Looking back, every project, class, challenge, and collaboration helped shape that vision. Throughout my time at Berklee, I always felt like my professors and the Berklee Valencia staff genuinely cared about my growth and success.

One especially meaningful experience was the six-month mentoring program through the ICC, where I was mentored by Stef Pascual. Having a music industry professional take the time to listen and help me reflect on where I wanted to go professionally was incredibly valuable, and it helped me better understand not only where I want to go but also what I have to offer as a professional.

Finally, what advice would you like to share with future Berklee Valencia graduate students now that you have lived experience?

I would say: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. I know it sounds cliché, but this is the moment to meet new people, try things, make mistakes, and learn from them.

Berklee is full of people who are willing to collaborate, create, and help each other, so don't be afraid to raise your hand, ask questions, and get involved. You don't need to have everything figured out. And whenever you're in doubt, your professors and classmates are just one conversation away.

Some of my best experiences here happened because I simply decided to be bold, get out of my comfort zone, and give something a try.