For Jennifer Caraluzzi, author of the Wellness for Artists course at Berklee Online, daily mindfulness practices and a balanced diet have completely changed her life; she wants to show you how it can change yours, too.

On May 10, more than 200 members of Berklee Online’s class of 2025 will come together in Boston to take part in this year’s Commencement ceremony. This moment celebrates not only the completion of their bachelor’s programs, but also the connections they’ve built, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the music and meaning they’ve created along the way. We’re shining a spotlight on five standout graduates whose stories exemplify where determination can take you.

​In this excerpt from Anthony Vitti and Lenny Stallworth’s Slap Bass course, you’ll learn to craft dynamic bass grooves using a method called the question-and-answer technique.​

Gabrielle Goodman, a former backing vocalist for Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack, shares stories from the stage and studio, including the time she opened for Miles Davis, wrote a song Chaka recorded, and taught herself to harmonize on the fly. She also reflects on teaching, improvisation, and what it means to sing every single day.