Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
Living learning communities (LLC) are specialized residential communities within our halls that foster connections between a student's experiences inside and outside the classroom, prioritizing shared interests, academic pursuits, or lifestyles. While each on-campus residence hall maintains its unique identity, LLCs have a deliberate focus on specific topics or courses, facilitated by dedicated staff and/or faculty, with the majority of students being placed in one of these communities.
Students who engage in LLCs frequently experience elevated levels of academic achievement, exhibit higher graduation rates, and find it easier to establish meaningful connections with their peers. Here are detailed descriptions of the LLCs currently available:
Africana Studies LLC
The Africana Studies LLC serves first-year Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee students who share a common interest in Black creative expression and civic engagement. Within this community, students can collectively celebrate, explore, and affirm the academic discipline of Africana Studies at Berklee and the wider Boston community. The Africana Studies LLC is connected with the Africana Studies Department and the Office of Identity-Based Programs to support the in-depth exploration into the rich history of Black artistry and the expansiveness of Black creative expression.
- Examples of Previous Programs and Experiences:
- Group trip to New Musings on Blackness at the Museum of Fine Arts
- Annual Women of Color Sleepover
- Rock Climbing with Africana Studies Program Manager
- Group Trip to see ‘One of Them Days’ in Theaters
Artist in Development LLC
The Artist in Development LLC is designed for students looking to develop their artistry through an entrepreneurial lens. In partnership with the Music Business Department, residents will explore key aspects of self-management, marketing, branding, and career development to build sustainable careers in the music industry. Through workshops, mentorship, and collaborative projects, students will gain hands-on experience in navigating the business side of their artistry while fostering a supportive network of like-minded creatives.
- Proposed Programming:
- Headshots and Branding Masterclass
- Team Networking: Find A… (Producer, Songwriter, Manager, etc.)
- Website Creation Workshop
- Guest Speaker Series
Bachelor of the Arts LLC
The Bachelor of Arts LLC supports students enrolled in Berklee’s Bachelor of Arts programs as they navigate academic and personal transitions. In collaboration with the Music Business Department, this LLC provides tailored resources, peer connections, and programming that enrich the BA student experience. Residents will engage in discussions, networking opportunities, and interdisciplinary activities designed to help them make the most of their unique academic path while fostering a strong sense of community.
- Proposed Programs & Experiences
- Business Career Fairs/Potential Career Fairs
- Music Business Professional Speaker Series
- Music Business 101 Event
- Protecting Intellectual Property Event
- Customer Needs Workshop
- Music Business Leadership How-Tos
First Year Experience LLC
The First Year Experience Living Learning Community (LLC) provides first-year students with a supportive and engaging residential environment as they transition to college life. By living alongside peers who share similar academic and artistic aspirations, students can form meaningful connections, collaborate creatively, and build a strong foundation for their Berklee journey. Dedicated staff members offer proactive support through intentional programs, outreach, and experiences designed to foster personal growth, academic success, and a sense of belonging within the Berklee community.
- Examples of Previous Programs and Experiences:
- Songwriting Retreat and Competition
- Majors and Minors Panels
- Resume Reviews and Workshopping
- Open Mic Night
Healthy Living & Substance Free LLC
The Healthy Living & Substance Free LLC provides a substance-free environment for students who are dedicated to holistic wellness and interested in promoting healthier choices through programming and education. While this is not a space exclusively for those choosing abstinence around using substances, an important aspect of this LLC is the focus on community care, and this includes mindfulness that members may be exploring sobriety or navigating recovery. This community recognizes the significance of leading a healthier lifestyle for academic success, personal growth, overall well-being, and a sense of community. Healthy Living & Substance Free LLC members have the opportunity to develop a well-balanced life through workshops and programs focused on mental wellness, stress management, nutrition, physical activity, and more. The Healthy Living & Substance Free LLC is supported by the Office of Student Wellness Promotion and Services.
- Examples of Previous Programs and Experiences:
- Journaling at the Docks
- Music Therapy Sound Bath Meditation
- Boos Not Booze Halloween Party
Music Theory LLC
The Music Theory LLC is directed toward first-year students who are interested in focusing on music theory while enrolled in a shared Ear Training I course during the fall semester. As a partnership with CORE Music Tutoring and the Ear Training Department, this LLC aims to foster community among students centered on a shared appreciation for music theory. Participants will collaboratively examine the fundamental elements that construct and govern the language of music, including notes, scales, chords, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. This LLC uniquely connects students with peers, tutors, live-in staff, and faculty to promote a dynamic learning environment and strong artistic community. Through active participation in the LLC, students will develop skills that will help them succeed academically, engage in self-discovery to better understand themselves as learners and musicians, and enhance their ability to create, analyze, and interpret music.
- Barbershop Quartet with Solfege Sight Reading
- Tchaikovsky Composition Concert with Sheet Music Read-Along
- Composition Masterclass
- Grammy Watch Party and Debrief Discussion
Overture: First Year at the Conservatory LLC
This LLC is designed for first-year students at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, providing an immersive living-learning experience that supports their transition into conservatory life. Like an overture setting the stage for a performance, this community fosters artistic, academic, and social growth by connecting students with peers who share similar ambitions in music, theater, and dance. Residents benefit from proactive support, specialized programming, and mentorship focused on industry expectations, artistic collaboration, and performer wellness. Through masterclasses, workshops, and networking events, students will build meaningful connections and develop the skills needed to thrive in their conservatory journey.
- Examples of Proposed Programs and Experiences:
- Professional Headshots
- Audition Masterclasses
- Trips to Local Theaters and Performances
Rise: First Generation LLC
The Rise: First Generation LLC is available to incoming students who identify as "first generation." Berklee defines this as any student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a bachelor’s degree, and/or the student has no current contact with their parent(s) or guardian(s), regardless of degree completion. As a component of Berklee's RISE initiative, this LLC offers resources, events, and support systems specifically tailored to assist first-generation students in navigating the Berklee experience more smoothly. By providing these resources, the Rise: First Generation LLC aims to alleviate some of the challenges associated with being a first-generation student, enabling participants to concentrate on their academic and artistic endeavors.
Note: This LLC serves first-generation college students, rather than first-generation Americans, though there may be overlap between these demographics.
- Examples of Previous Programs and Experiences:
- Rise and Shine Breakfast Collaboration with First Gen LLC and RISE
- Individualized Welcome Notes
- An evening at the Isabella Gardner Museum - Collaboration with Africana Studies LLC
- Fall Study Skills Event
- Women of Color Sleepover - Collaboration with Africana Studies LLC
- Halloween Snapshots
- Game Night
Return from First Year Abroad LLC
The Return from First Year Abroad LLC is designed for second-year/third-semester students transitioning from Berklee’s First Year Abroad program to the Boston campus. This community supports students as they integrate into Berklee Boston, build new social and academic connections, and navigate the unique challenges of transitioning from an international learning experience to the main campus environment. This LLC fosters a supportive and engaging environment for students returning from their global first-year experience. By providing tailored resources and structured programming, this LLC helps students navigate academic, social, and cultural adjustments while strengthening their connection to the Berklee Boston community.
- Proposed Programming:
- Specialized Orientation
- Valencia Cultural Showcase
- International Food and Drink Nights
- Small Group Debriefs
Social Justice LLC
The Social Justice LLC is designed for students who are keen on exploring subjects such as privilege, power dynamics, identity, systems of oppression, and driving social change. Within this community, residents will have diverse learning opportunities, including film screenings, attending performances, engaging in service projects, interacting with guest speakers, participating in article discussions, and attending workshops. Additionally, they will actively participate in dialogues with staff, faculty, and members of the Boston community, equipping themselves with the necessary tools to create positive change both within and beyond the Berklee community.
- Examples of Previous Programs and Experiences:
- Drag Show
- Mexican Independence Day Parade
- Identity Carousel
- Pumpkins and Perspectives
- D&I Foundations
- HERO Art2Heart and Silent Walk for Black History Month