Student Spotlight: Rachel McFarlane
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 violinist and composer Rachel McFarlane, an eighth-semester dual major in film and media scoring and games and interactive media scoring (GAIMS) from Canada.
Follow Rachel on Instagram(Opens in a new window), LinkedIn(Opens in a new window), and her website(Opens in a new window).
Rachel McFarlane
Image by Teddy Kent
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?
I started writing for live ensembles when I was 16. After gaining some recognition in Canada, I realized I wanted to pursue composition after high school instead of my initial path, violin performance. I graduated in May 2020, and if there was one thing COVID gave me (and many others), it was time. I used that time to research schools around the world to figure out where I wanted to go.
That summer, I took two Berklee five-week programs online: the High School Composition Intensive and Film, TV, and Game Scoring Program in LA (though in reality, the latter took place in my living room). While the first program focused more on live concert music, I really connected with the film scoring course because it showed me just how much music can enhance storytelling. I learned so much about film technology, music, and emotional landscapes in such a short time that Berklee quickly became my top choice.
What's been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?
Audio Foundations for Interactive Media with Gina Zdanowicz was an absolute blast. As a composer, most of my classes focus on music, but this course showed me how much energy goes into sound design for video games. We explored how to add our own foley and sound effects using [software programs] FMOD and Unity, and even got the chance to create audio assets for game developers at USC. It was a really cool experience getting to see how music and sound design come together in interactive media.
What's a project you've worked on since coming to Berklee that you've been especially excited about?
It’s not just one project, but I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with sample libraries like Orchestral Tools on social media. Their Berlin Orchestra Library that they developed with Berklee is a part of our school bundle, but beyond that, I’ve had the privilege of creating mockups for film and video game scenes using their other libraries. It’s been an awesome experience, and I highly recommend their tools for anyone working in composition or sound design!
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?
Fitness is a big one for me! it’s a great way to reset after long stretches of work, and I tend to get the best ideas when I compose right after a workout. I also try my best to just enjoy video games without overanalyzing the horizontal sequencing or RTPCs [Real-Time Parameter Controls] (hahaha).
When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most?
The people who inspire me most are musicians of color who have continued pursuing music while questioning whether it was a realistic career path for them. I’m on track to be the first Black student to graduate with the GAIMS major and the GAIMS/film double major, which is really exciting! I try to use my social media platforms to educate and be a source of visibility for my community, so others know that people like me exist in these spaces, and that we’ve always been here.
My first Black violin teacher was Tanya Charles, and before her, I had never seen anyone who looked like me in classical music. She, along with incredible composers like Chanda Dancy, Amanda Jones, EmmoLei Sankofa, and Kathryn Bostic, have been a huge inspiration. Having the privilege to meet and learn from artists like them reassures me that I’m on the right path.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to your high school self?
I would tell them that at this point in your career, you’ve had the privilege of meeting so many musicians and composers that you look up to, and even they don’t have it all figured out. So don’t stress about trying to control everything! Uncertainty and curiosity are key parts of the creative process so learn to embrace the unknown.
Rachel McFarlane's Top Five Film and Game Scores
We asked Rachel to give us five of her favorite media scores. Here's what she said:
