Sound Engineer Toby Francis on Working FOH for Ariana, Aerosmith, Kanye, and More
Toby Francis wrote his Berklee Online sound engineering course between front-of-house gigs for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In this extensive discussion he shares tales that were a little too gritty for the course.
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You May Know Eric Zawada as Your Advisor at Berklee Online, and/or You May Know Him as Your Classmate
Academic Advisor Eric Zawada recently became one of the few Berklee Online employees to earn their bachelor’s degree through the institution. This is his story.
‘Thinking Out Loud’ about Copyright and Ed Sheeran with E. Michael Harrington
Forensic Musicologist and Berklee Online instructor E. Michael Harrington—a witness in the “Blurred Lines” case—on why he wouldn’t testify that Ed Sheeran violated “Let’s Get It On” copyright. … He was asked twice!
Amazing Aarya Mehta Uses Prior Learning to Finish Degree Program in a Year
Aarya Mehta gave herself the “Amazing Aarya” moniker when she was starting her YouTube music channel in ninth grade. With her achievements, she continues to live up to that name.
Vicente Avella on Exploring the ‘Physics of Light’
Musicians have explored light and darkness since, well, probably the beginning of light and darkness. Or at least since the beginning of music. But composer, pianist, and Berklee Online instructor Vicente Avella is doing something different with his new “Physics of Light” album.
Bruce Hornsby on New Album and Having the Most Diverse Array of Collaborators Ever
Bruce Hornsby discusses his humble start in a Grateful Dead cover band, his mega breakthrough with “The Way It Is,” and his recent indie rock resurgence via his collaborations with members of Bon Iver. And yes, he also discusses how surreal it was to play 100+ shows with the real Grateful Dead!
Drummer Cindy Blackman Santana on Carlos, Lenny, and Visitations from Jazz Greats
Cindy Blackman became Lenny Kravitz’s drummer after a lifetime of jazz drumming. In this wide-ranging interview she discusses being visited by the spirits of the jazz greats she befriended during her time in New York City, and how she and husband Carlos Santana stay in harmony, onstage and off.
Black Flag Bassist Kira Roessler on Being in a Band with Rollins and Ginn, and Her Solo Debut, at 60!
Kira Roessler played bass in Black Flag for two years, during which time the legendary hardcore band put out seven records. Now, at the age of 60, she’s an Emmy- and Oscar-winning dialogue editor and promoting her solo debut.
Arooj Aftab on ‘Vulture Prince,’ Grammy Noms, Genius.com, and Berklee
Arooj Aftab began getting notice with a viral cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” more than 15 years ago, but with two Grammy nominations, she has finally arrived. Her “Vulture Prince” album is a stunning work that frequently reaches transcendence.
Bruce Sudano on Turning Brooklyn Dreams into Reality with Donna Summer
Bruce Sudano has written songs that have been sung by Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and his late wife, Donna Summer, including the disco hit “Bad Girls.”
