Applications Open for Berklee in Puerto Rico 2024

Berklee in Puerto Rico is now accepting applications for this year’s program, to be held June 3–9, at Escuela Libre de Música Antonio Paoli (ELMAP) in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

The Berklee in Puerto Rico program offers students access to the Berklee method of music education, encompassing theory, ear training, improvisation, ensemble performance, and instrumental instruction. In addition, master classes on songwriting, music production, and more will be taught by Berklee professors and special guest artists. Open to residents of Puerto Rico only, students must be 15 years old by the start of the program and have been playing an instrument or singing for a minimum of six months to attend the week-long program.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the 29th edition of the Berklee program in Puerto Rico, with a more extensive, robust, and complete program," said Luis Álvarez Fiol ’83, president of Make Music Happen and a former Berklee trustee. "We are delighted to return to the Escuela Libre de Música Antonio Paoli facilities and culminate this edition of Berklee in Puerto Rico with the graduation concert at the magnificent Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas. We thank the Municipality of Caguas and the Puerto Rico Department of Education for their continued trust and collaboration in facilitating access to the program to more students from all over the Island.”

The program is taught by Berklee faculty and takes place daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., culminating in a final showcase concert by the students on the last day. All participants will have the opportunity to perform in their ensemble group.

During the week, Berklee's admissions team will hold auditions for selected students who are interested in being admitted to the college's full-time undergraduate programs, while other students may qualify for scholarships to Berklee's Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive summer program. Last year, 203 students completed the program successfully, and a total of 34 students auditioned and received a total of $3.7 million in financial aid. Álvarez, who was instrumental in creating the program, has donated more than $350,000 in Berklee scholarship funds. 

Past participants in the program include Grammy-winning composer and saxophonist Miguel Zenón B.M. ’98, cuatrista Fabiola Méndez B.M. ’18, educator Rubén Amador B.M. ’01, and Valentina Garcia, recipient of the 2022 Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Sofia Carson Prodigy Scholarship.

Tuition is $95 for the program's standard performance track, and $300, with limited space available, for the college-credit performance track. Applications for this summer's Berklee in Puerto Rico program are now open, with a deadline of Thursday, April 11, 2024. 

Throughout its existence, Berklee in Puerto Rico has received the support of several entities that have allowed the program to continue its educational mission, including Fundación Banco Popular and Liberty Foundation. Other collaborators include Delta Airlines, HUB International, Wichie Sound Performance, Alfa 2.0, Good Bunny Foundation, and PRLinks Communications.