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 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!

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Ben Grubbs began studying with Berklee Online in preparation for an eventual career switch which will allow him to play for a different kind of fan.

In my experience working with singer-songwriters, a topic that often emerges is how to use simple and strong instrumental techniques to express our songs.

Understanding the basics of piano voicings and the use of common tensions is a first step in creating effective orchestrations of reharmonized melodies.

Suzanna Sifter is author of Berklee Jazz Keyboard Harmony: Using Upper Structure Triads, an extraordinary book that helps pianists organize and understand tensions

Touring Korn keyboardist Zac Baird regularly takes music courses to keep his skills sharp, even enrolling in a few Ableton Live classes with Berklee Online.