August Performers in Berklee’s Two Track Series Take Listeners on a Journey

Berklee’s Two Track music video series features some of the Berklee community’s most talented artists performing in a stripped-down recording session filmed in continuous camera shots with just a single microphone. Launched in September 2021, the performances, which have collected over 400,000 views to date, premiere every Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. ET on the Berklee YouTube channel.

Each installment of Two Track revolves around a monthly theme that the artist engages with, either through their choice of songs and/or through a short storytelling segment recorded as part of the session. In August, performers explored the theme of “Journey,” discussing how their music has shaped their life path both personally and artistically.

Kely and Ian

On August 3, the Brazilian duo of Kely Pinheiro and Ian Coury opened the month with their bandolim-cello pairing in a session that featured a high-energy rendition of "Ponteio" by Edu Lobo and a cover of "Carinhoso" by Pixinguinha.

At 20 years old, Coury is already one of the most accomplished bandolim players in the world. Born in Brasília, his musical journey began at age 7, and by age 12 he had shared the stage with Brazilian choro legends Armandinho and Hamilton de Holanda. He went on to perform with many renowned Latin American jazz musicians such as Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, and Toninho Horta. Pinheiro is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and arranger based in Boston. She moved to the U.S. after receiving a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee. 

Watch Kely and Ian perform "Ponteio" and "Carinhoso":

Natalia Toache

Natalia Toache took the spotlight on August 10, performing a cover of “Todo Cambió” by Camila and her original pop-rock track “Is this what it feels like?,” backed by a chorus of fellow Berklee students.

Growing up in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Toache became interested in writing songs at a very young age, mixing genres and experimenting with elements from many disparate styles. The singer-songwriter incorporates themes of mental health, growing up, and self-love into her music, which she hopes will resonate with others grappling with these issues and provide a safe space to those who need it.

Watch Natalia Toache perform “Todo Cambió” and “Is this what it feels like?”:

Bahar Badieitabar

August 17 introduced Two Track viewers to oud artist Bahar Badieitabar, who performed her original song “Blossom” as well as a cover of “Reng-e Afshari” by Qolamhossein Bigjekhani. Her band consists of Berklee students Mahya Hamedi on the dayereh, Devon Gates on vocals and double bass, and Nikolai Mishchenko B.M. ’22 on keys.

A recipient of Berklee's Presidential Scholarship, Badieitabar is an Iranian musician double majoring in performance and composition at the college. Her musical journey began at age 12 when she enrolled at the Tehran Music School, and her diverse experiences have since helped her develop an approach to music that borrows from Iranian classical music, contemporary concert music, and jazz. Bahar won the first place at the Iranian Youth National Music Festival for two consecutive years, at the ages of 16 and 17, and she has appeared at various music festivals and venues in Iran and the U.S.

Watch Bahir Badieitabar perform “Blossom” and “Reng-e Afshari”:

Emme Cannon

Emme Cannon took the mic on August 24, sharing her original song “Bruises” as well as a cover of Alabama Shakes' “Gimme All Your Love” arranged by Berklee student Kamoru Joan Gonzalez Martinez.

Cannon is a singer-songwriter and producer who writes flowing ballads about unpopular beauty with mystical lyricism, blending chamber pop with the sounds of indie-folk. She recently released her first self-written and produced EP, Home Planet, which explores aspects of life beyond this realm and finding love despite life’s uncertainties. Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, she draws inspiration from nature as well as from her foundation in classical voice training and musical theater.

Watch Emme Cannon perform “Bruises” and “Gimme All Your Love”:

Car’dell

Closing out the month on August 31, Car’dell performed his song “One” as well as his original arrangement of “Exclusively” by Tiana Major.

Car'dell is an R&B singer, songwriter, and vocal arranger from Atlanta, Georgia. Drawing from an eclectic array of musical influences, such as Jill Scott, CeCe Winans, and Jhene Aiko, his style merges neo-soul, new school R&B, and contemporary gospel to offer a distinct sound to listeners. In a monologue between songs, Car’dell talks about how his music reflects the many difficult yet essential lessons he’s learned while living, loving, and developing his artistic and personal identity.

Watch Car’dell perform “One” and “Exclusively”: