Student Spotlight: Joshua Griffin

What’s it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience—what they’re learning in class, what kinds of projects they’re involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they’re listening to. In this installment, get to know Joshua Griffin, a choreographer from New Orleans majoring in musical theater with a dance emphasis. 

Joshua was named the Boston Conservatory at Berklee student commencement speaker for the class of 2026. You can follow him on Instagram and his website.

Tell us about your path to Boston Conservatory at Berklee. What made you decide to come here?

For me, picking a school was so hard. I had spent all of high school working on my craft, so I knew I wanted a place that really fit all aspects of who I am, not just one piece. Senior year, my parents took me on a college tour to visit my top choices, so I could figure out where home really was. I felt everything! I was excited, overwhelmed, and unsure, but then we got to Boston, and I fell in love instantly. Like, didn’t even want to leave for the next school type of love. 

My parents clocked it immediately and knew I had found my place. There was just something about the music and art at Berklee that felt like home. And listen, coming from the South, the East Coast was definitely a culture shock at first, but the moment I went to my first jam session and took my first tap class, I felt it. Little pieces of home woven into everything. It was a long journey but, honestly, exactly the one I needed.

What’s been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?

I could probably answer this with just one word: Dance.

My favorite classes at Boston Conservatory have, hands down, been my dance classes. I’ve taken jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, and tumbling, and I genuinely can’t get enough. I’ve never seen myself transform as a performer the way I have through my dance training. It’s been kind of wild (in the best way). 

I have so much respect and gratitude for every teacher who’s poured into me, because dance has given me this whole new way to communicate—one that feels really unique and really beautiful. I came into the Conservatory leading with my voice, and now I’m walking into dance classes all over the city with my head held high. These classes built my confidence, made me feel strong, and lit a whole new fire in me. Every time I stepped into a studio, I grew. And that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.

Shoutout to some of the incredible teachers who shaped that journey:

• Jazz: Ramone Owens, Tommy Coye, Michelle Chassé
• Tap: Aaron Tolson, Derick Grant
• Ballet: Rachel Miscenich-Catanzariti
• Tumbling: Jacob Skeffington
• Hip-hop: Heather Myers, Francois Noel

What’s a project you’ve worked on since coming to Boston Conservatory at Berklee that you’ve been especially excited about?

One of the biggest projects I’ve been working on since stepping onto Berklee’s campus has been choreography and really finding my own voice through movement. I knew I wanted to be a choreographer the very first time I tried it back in high school, when I choreographed a number for my senior showcase. After that, I was hooked.

Since then, I’ve been given opportunities I honestly never imagined, and one of the biggest (and most meaningful) has been Career Jam. For the past two years, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of being both the choreography awardee and the musical theater awardee, which is kind of wild to even say out loud. And let me tell you … it has taught me so much.

We actually just wrapped a huge number to “Backstage Romance” from Moulin Rouge that I choreographed (video coming soon)! I’m really excited for people to see it. But even looking back at last year, the work I created as the choreography awardee is something I’m still incredibly proud of. It’s been a journey of growth, risk, and a lot of trusting myself. And I’m just getting started.

Watch Joshua’s choreography to “Textbook” at Career Jam 2025.

How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?

I spend a lot of time with my friends. It’s my favorite way to shake off the stress of school and career stuff. And honestly, it feeds my artistry too. As artists, we’re constantly pulling from real life, and how can we recreate life if we’re not actually living it? I love to travel and try new things, especially things that have nothing to do with being “creative.” It gives my brain and body space to just experience life, which always ends up circling back into my work in the best way. 

Also, I’m a huge thrifter and fashion lover. I believe a solid 95% of my wardrobe is thrifted, and I take real pride in that. There’s just something so satisfying about finding those little gems that feel so you. At the end of the day, I think it’s so important to find the things that make you happy and nurture them outside of your craft, because that joy? It will show up in everything you do.

There was just something about the music and art at Berklee that felt like home.

Joshua Griffin

When you think about your own future, who inspires you most?

Thinking about the future definitely scares me sometimes, but I think it’s because I feel a real responsibility to make the people who paved the way for me proud. I’m always drawn to people who look like me, who’ve lived through similar struggles, and still found a way through. 

In the choreography world, I really look up to Sean Bankhead and Parris Goebel, not just for their insane talent but for their journeys and what it took for them to get where they are, especially as a Black creator and as a female creator in this industry. I take so much inspiration from my parents, too. Their work ethic, their consistency, and the way they move through life with such ease and grace has taught me so much about life inside and outside of being who I am. 

And then there are performers like Joshua Henry, DeMarius Copes, Myles Frost, Jeremy Pope, and Nic Ashe—Black, queer artists who saw the odds and still said, “I’m doing it anyway.” That kind of energy stays with me. And one of my biggest inspirations is someone I’ve had the privilege of learning from directly, Ramone Owens. He was one of my first teachers at the Conservatory, and after an incredible career, he came back to where it all started to pour into the next generation. Watching him throughout my time here showed me exactly the kind of performer—and leader—I want to be. All of these people have shaped me in such a real way, and I carry that with me every single day.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your high school self?

Relax … you’re stronger than you think. I spent so much time stressing, overthinking, and trying to control every little outcome when, in reality, everything was already falling into place. The strength and resilience you’re building? It’s working. It’s carrying you, even on the days you don’t feel it. I’d remind myself to actually live in the moment a little more and to enjoy where I am instead of constantly worrying about what’s next. Because, spoiler alert: it does work out. You already worked hard and built the track. Now it’s time to throw your hands up, trust yourself, and enjoy the ride.

Joshua Griffin’s Top Five Songs

We asked Joshua to give us five of his favorite songs. Here’s what he said:

1. “Pose,” Rihanna

Anything Rihanna honestly will get me on my feet immediately, but this song right here! As a dancer, this is my dream. The production and different rhythms are so pleasing to me, and one of her most fun songs off one of my favorite albums.

2. “Attention,” Doja Cat

Lyrically, Doja Cat is unreal. Her flow is insane on this song, and I feel like it’s such a pivotal moment for her as an artist to finally speak her mind. Big fan of her career, her live performances, and her personas. A true artist with a true artistry.

3. “Getting Older,” Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish has been one of my favorite artists since I was in high school, and I tend to always come back to this song in different stages of my life, and it has never meant the same thing to me. The song is produced perfectly, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

4. “Colors Change,” Tank and the Bangas

The way this song makes me feel is like no other. There is something so ethereal and raw about it, and I have definitely cried to it more times than I’d like to admit. Also, I HEART TANK AND THE BANGAS!

5. “Super Rich Kids,” Frank Ocean

This song is literally how I learned how to harmonize. Frank Ocean is a genius, and his word play in this song makes me want to scream out the lyrics every single time it comes on. Mad love for this man and this song.