Berklee and NAMM: A Perfect Duo
By Emmett G. Price III, PhD
In 1945, when Lawrence Berk founded what would become Berklee—then known as the Schillinger House, named for his teacher Joseph Schillinger—the school had three students. Today, Berklee is an unparalleled institution of higher learning with a global reach that has immeasurable impact.
With 8,448 students (7,608 undergraduate and 840 graduate) across five learning environments (Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee Online, Berklee Valencia, and Berklee NYC), Berklee promotes an experiential, practice-oriented educational philosophy that is focused on training leaders for all facets of the creative industries.
From its early days, when Berklee was known primarily for jazz and popular music, the institution has evolved into a premier training ground for creative expression spanning the African diaspora and so much more. Whether in music, theater, or dance—on stage, building the stage, or behind the stage—our students are cultivating diverse skill sets while simultaneously developing their own tools to shape the future of artistry, industry, and culture.
Across all genres and modes of performance, our faculty are the thought leaders shaping the next cohort of futuristic visionaries. These emerging creators are not only technically and expressively intelligent, but they are also culturally competent, culturally responsive, and culturally relevant.
Beyond our 332 Grammys, 118 Latin Grammys, 77 Emmys, 28 Tonys and 8 Oscars, Berklee is a bold, courageous community leading the pack. We believe in the human touch, exemplified through our fundamental values. We remain grounded in local communities while simultaneously engaging on a global scale.
This year, we are proud to return to NAMM with an increased presence and purpose as we forge a new partnership with the world’s foremost trade association dedicated to expanding the music industry by convening leaders, educating all, and advocating on behalf of music making. Since 1901, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has consistently engaged, celebrated, and inspired the next generation of creative industries—focusing on technology, business, education, and culture.
In this new season of partnership, we are proud to sponsor the Arena Plaza Stage, where a number of Berklee students and alumni will perform. Equally important is our commitment to ensuring our students have access to industry leaders, top manufacturers, and the movers and shakers behind today’s most significant technological innovations. We are also excited to partner with the NAMM Foundation so that 20 of our current students can attend the NAMM Show as Lamond GenNext Award scholars.
As two global institutions centering music and learning, Berklee and NAMM form a perfect duo—both have dynamic legacies, bold visions, and the opportunity to do meaningful work together.
Emmett G. Price III, PhD, is founding dean of Berklee’s Africana Studies Division.
