Berklee Online Hosts 2025 Berklee Onsite Music Conference May 30-31

Berklee Onsite is your chance to meet your Berklee Online peers from around the world, and registration is officially open! Taking place May 30-31 at the Berklee College of Music campus in Boston, Berklee Onsite offers two days of workshops, performances, and in-person networking opportunities. 

Kicking off the proceedings at 10 AM on Friday is this year’s keynote speaker, Kamilah Marshall, a Berklee Online alum and seasoned vocalist who recently wrapped up a global tour as part of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. She’s also performed with Bette Midler, Justin Timberlake, and on Broadway in Hairspray and The Lion King.

READ MORE ABOUT KAMILAH’S JOURNEY

Last year, Berklee Onsite welcomed nearly 300 attendees representing close to 30 countries and 40 US states. The conference began as a way to give Berklee’s online students the opportunity to meet their instructors and advisors in person while visiting the Berklee College of Music campus, but has since expanded to welcome anyone interested in attending. 

Registration will remain open until the first day of the conference on May 30.

The 2025 conference features sessions across a wide range of topics for musicians, producers, songwriters, and educators. Below is a sampling of this year’s diverse programming:

Managing Your Stress Through Music

Music is already a powerful part of your life—but are you using it to manage stress and boost well-being? This session explores creative techniques for using music to find comfort, build resilience, and improve your everyday life.
Presented by Suzanne Hanser | Friday, 1:30-3 PM 

The F Word: Sex & Equity in Songwriting

This interactive workshop invites songwriters of all genders to explore how music shapes beliefs about women, relationships, and identity. Through lyric analysis, discussion, and writing exercises, you’ll examine the role of equity in songwriting and learn how to create with intention and authenticity.
Presented by Valerie Orth | Friday, 1:30-3 PM

Grants & Funding 101: What Artists & Entrepreneurs Need to Know

Securing funding can be a critical step toward bringing your creative vision to life. This session demystifies the world of grants with practical tips, strategies, and tools to help artists and entrepreneurs find opportunities and write compelling proposals.
Presented by Roya Hu | Friday, 3:30-5 PM

Electronic Music Listening and Feedback

Bring your EDM track and hear it played loud—really loud—for a room full of fellow creators. This session offers feedback, technique-sharing, and the chance to connect with other producers for future collaborations.
Presented by Loudon Stearns | Friday, 3:30-5 PM

How to Sell More Tickets in an Overcrowded Marketplace

Discover smart touring strategies like residencies, targeted routes, and fan experiences that can cut costs and boost impact. Learn how to sell more tickets using tools like pre-sales, social platforms, and creative marketing techniques.
Presented by Bruce Houghton | Saturday, 9-10:30 AM

AI Panel

Join our panel of experts as they discuss the latest developments in AI for music creation, production, and business.
Presented by Michele Darling | Saturday, 9-10:30 AM

The Finance Frontier: Maximizing Small Budgets in Film Scoring

Learn how to budget for film scoring projects with real-world case studies and insights on payments, licensing, contracts, and pricing strategies. From upfront fees to backend royalties, this session breaks down what composers need to know to protect their work—and get paid.
Presented by Alison Plante | Saturday, 11 AM-12:30 PM

From Courtship to Contract: Preparing to Negotiate the Deal

This session uses the familiar framework of online dating to demystify the early stages of music contract negotiation. You’ll learn how to define your needs, set expectations, and prepare for productive, long-term agreements in a fun and relatable way.
Presented by Tonya Butler | Saturday, 11 AM-12:30 PM

Songwriting Masterclass

Pat Pattison and Jimmy Kachulis return for a high-energy masterclass where strong songs get even stronger. Watch them dive deep into prosody, phrasing, and structure—the same tools they’ve shared with Grammy-winning artists like John Mayer and Gillian Welch.
Presented by Pat Pattison and Jimmy Kachulis | Saturday, 2-3:30 PM | David Friend Recital Hall

The Job of the Record Producer

Veteran producer and engineer Sean Slade—whose credits include co-producing music for Radiohead, Lou Reed, and more—breaks down what the job of a record producer really entails. This lively session strips away the glamor to focus on the creative, technical, and interpersonal skills that make a producer indispensable.
Presented by Sean Slade | Saturday, 2-3:30 PM