Student Spotlight: Rafael Heredia

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 percussionist Rafael Heredia, a sixth-semester electronic production and design (EPD) and composition major from Hiroshima, Japan. His rich flamenco heritage and an inherently curious and explorative mind have led to some exciting new projects, including his trio Intersync, which creates a unique blend of traditional sounds and electronic music.

Follow Rafael on Instagram. 

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

The Spanish side of my family, including my father, grandfather, uncle, and aunt, are all professional flamenco artists—percussionists, singers, and dancers. My mother, who is Japanese, is also a dancer. So, it was natural for me to learn flamenco growing up, and I performed on stage for the first time at age three.
I started working as a flamenco percussionist when I turned 15 in Japan. At age 18, I was fortunate enough to be asked to work with a popular flamenco company in Spain and tour with them. The work came to a standstill during COVID-19, so I acted upon my desire to formally learn music and applied to Berklee. 

Although I had originally applied to Berklee Valencia, Fernando Huergo, the professor who auditioned me, encouraged me to apply to Boston instead, and somehow things panned out.

Given Berklee's vibrant international community, how do you think that your roots and cultural origins have played a part in your Berklee journey so far?

Berklee boasts a uniquely curious and open-minded community of students. My Spanish heritage deeply connects me to the Latin culture at Berklee, while my Japanese heritage connects me to the Japanese students.

Despite the stark differences between both cultures, I have been met with a lot of interest from all my peers here. Feeling so welcomed has greatly helped in my musical growth and has allowed me to remain open-minded while honoring my flamenco culture.

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

My favorite classes were Conducting 1 and Conducting 2 with Kristo Kondakçi, who is a wonderful conductor and teacher. His class is full of inspiration and changed me as a musician. Through conducting, he taught us how to work on anxieties and insecurities and become confident and empowered musicians.

What's a project you've worked on since coming to Berklee that you've been especially excited about?

Recently, I founded a trio called Intersync, with Arman Wali on keys and Dexter Callender III on saxophone, born out of the necessity to experiment. We create a unique blend of traditional sounds and electronic music. We’re seeking newness from this experiment and nothing else, which is personally an exciting direction in music exploration.

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

I prioritize good sleep and set aside time to do nothing; these are essential for me to recharge and come up with new ideas. Conversing with people whom I admire, about music and beyond, also helps inspire me a lot.

When you think towards your future, who inspires you most?

I have been working on deepening my connection with myself. Nothing is more important than my relationship with myself, and when I focus on this, it helps propel me along my journey and inspires me to pursue a future in music.

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

I would tell my high school self to trust the process and know that I will meet incredible people along the way. But I would also advise myself to start ear training earlier on.

Rafael's Top Five Songs Right Now

We asked Rafael to tell us his favorite songs of the moment. Here's what he said:

1. “The Wind,” Keith Jarrett ’67

I heard this tune when I was about 15 and it blew my mind. It is one of the primary reasons I wanted to study music.

2. “Hikoutei (飛行艇),” King Gnu

This one is just a blast and hypes me up. The lyrics are great!

3. “Antonia,” Paco de Lucia

When I was five, my dad encouraged me to play this tune on percussion. It was challenging but it is such a beautiful piece and I fondly remember it.

4. “The Way Up,” Pat Metheny

The entire album tells a compositional story. It's a masterclass in composition, illustrating how to connect pieces seamlessly. This album is a must-study in jazz popular music, as it's both written and improvised within a contextual narrative.

5. “Huelva City,” Sandra Carrasco

She is one of my favorite singers in the world and is a great example of traditional flamenco-style singing. I've had the honor of performing live with her; she is one of the best!