Lisa Murray: From Music Production to Finding Her Own Voice as an Independent Pop Artist

When Lisa Murray MM ’20 arrived at Berklee Valencia, her ambitions were centered on music production and audio engineering. Becoming an independent singer-songwriter was not necessarily the path she had envisioned. Yet, her time at Berklee would not only strengthen her technical abilities but also encourage her to explore an artistic identity she had yet to fully recognize.

Originally from rural Ireland, Murray had limited opportunities to engage directly with the professional music industry before enrolling in Berklee Valencia's Master of Music in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation (MPTI) program. She arrived determined to develop the skills needed to pursue a career in production and engineering. Beyond the technical training, however, it was the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with established industry professionals that broadened her perspective on what a career in music could look like. 

“Being face-to-face and being in that ecosystem, it makes you see what's possible," Murray said. "Being surrounded by people so successful in the music industry makes you believe that, well, you will get there eventually, too.” 

Among those who encouraged her to look beyond her initial ambitions was her advisor and MPTI program director Pablo Munguía, who saw her potential as an artist before she had fully recognized it herself. “Munguía telling me that I was an artist when I really didn't see it myself was a huge part of becoming the artist I am today,” she said. “I went into Berklee and came out a different person in terms of my skill and my technical ability.”

Although Murray's professional journey initially followed the technical path she had pursued at Berklee, her interests gradually expanded. Following graduation, she joined Sony Music, working in audio engineering and production before moving into freelance work across production, engineering, and songwriting.

As she gained experience in different areas of the industry, Murray began dedicating more time to her own music. Her transition toward independent artistry brought her closer to her Irish roots, as she increasingly incorporated the Irish language into her songwriting. In 2026, she released her debut album, Abhaile, a 12-track collection that reflects on her experiences of living abroad and returning to Ireland, and explores themes of home, belonging, and cultural identity in both English and Gaelic.

Looking back, Murray connects this creative evolution to an important lesson from her time in Valencia: “What I loved about my time at Berklee is that all forms of creative expression were celebrated,” she said. “That was a really important part of the experience that I think really shaped me as a creative as well.”

Murray now returns to Berklee Valencia as a mentor for MPTI’s annual songwriting camp. Her experience building a career as an independent artist has given her insight into many responsibilities that extend beyond the creative process. From managing royalties to music marketing, she aims to help students better understand the practical realities of pursuing their own projects.

Her journey has reinforced the importance of remaining open to different opportunities and allowing creative ambitions to develop over time. It's a perspective she hopes to pass on to students who, like her when she first arrived at Berklee, may still be discovering where their interests and abilities can take them.

“There is no one path. That's the biggest myth ever in the music industry,” she said.