{"id":19096,"date":"2025-09-21T10:12:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T15:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/?p=19096"},"modified":"2025-12-15T17:01:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T22:01:57","slug":"students-youll-meet-at-berklee-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/students-youll-meet-at-berklee-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Students You\u2019ll Meet at Berklee Online"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-meet-the-many-types-of-students-who-make-up-the-berklee-online-community-from-military-members-and-touring-musicians-to-lifelong-learners-and-more\">Meet the Many Types of Students Who Make up the Berklee Online Community, from Military Members and Touring Musicians to Lifelong Learners and More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Berklee Online students come from everywhere and every walk of life: military members, touring musicians, lifelong learners, and more. Some enroll to sharpen the skills that fuel their careers; others arrive curious and open to where music might take them. Together, they form a global, flexible community where collaboration happens across time zones, genres, and generations. Here are some of the kinds of students you\u2019ll encounter in a Berklee Online course:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-military-students\"><strong>Military Students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Berklee Online offers a <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/military\/tuition-and-military-discount?campaign_id=7010Z000001ZkQgQAK&amp;pid=&amp;utm_source=takenote&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bol-gen-takenote-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">30 percent tuition discount<\/a> to US service members, veterans, and qualifying family members. With a dedicated Military Affairs team available to help navigate courses and programs, it\u2019s no wonder 10 percent of all Berklee Online students are military students! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read about veterans <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/the-resilient-tim-donley-on-playing-in-a-band-of-veterans-singing-with-roger-waters-and-the-healing-power-of-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tim Donley<\/a> who formed the band The Resilient, <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/us-veteran-billy-ray-mcclelland-earns-his-degree-in-guitar-from-berklee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Billy Ray McClelland<\/a> who earned his bachelor&#8217;s degree in guitar from Berklee Online using his GI Bill, and <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/combat-rock-berklee-online-student-fights-military-ptsd-one-track-at-a-time-with-vet-traxx-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eric Lewis<\/a>,&nbsp;who started his own music non-profit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/the-resilient-tim-donley-on-playing-in-a-band-of-veterans-singing-with-roger-waters-and-the-healing-power-of-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"26388\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tim_donley_the_resilient_article_image_2025_1.jpg\" alt=\"The Resilient are a five-piece band, pictured against the sunset.\" class=\"wp-image-26388\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tim Donley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/us-veteran-billy-ray-mcclelland-earns-his-degree-in-guitar-from-berklee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1840\" height=\"1150\" data-id=\"20008\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/billy_ray_mcclelland_article_image_2023_1.jpg\" alt=\"Billy Ray McClelland plays acoustic guitar in a chair in front of a house.\" class=\"wp-image-20008\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Billy Ray McClelland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/combat-rock-berklee-online-student-fights-military-ptsd-one-track-at-a-time-with-vet-traxx-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" data-id=\"10935\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/combat-rock-military-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10935\" srcset=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/combat-rock-military.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/combat-rock-military-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/combat-rock-military-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eric Lewis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-learners-of-all-ages\"><strong>Learners of All Ages<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of Berklee Online\u2019s flexible nature, we see learners of all ages in our courses and programs. This includes young students who can keep up with the curriculum, like 10-year-old <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/seba-stephens-age-10-earns-a-professional-certificate-from-berklee-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seba Stephens<\/a> and 14-year-old <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/audi-ellis-on-pursuing-the-arts-as-a-visually-impaired-creator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Audi Ellis<\/a>, who pursued professional certificates, and 17-year-old <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/berklee-online-student-thomas-thunder-on-pursuing-his-degree-at-17\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Thomas Thunder<\/a>, who is pursuing a bachelor&#8217;s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/audi-ellis-on-pursuing-the-arts-as-a-visually-impaired-creator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"16961\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/audi_ellis_article_image_2021.jpg\" alt=\"Audi Ellis on their first day of school in Incheon, South Korea.\" class=\"wp-image-16961\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Audi Ellis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/seba-stephens-age-10-earns-a-professional-certificate-from-berklee-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"18229\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sebastian_stephens_article_image_2022.jpg\" alt=\"Seba Stephens and his professional certificate from Berklee Online\" class=\"wp-image-18229\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seba Stephens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/berklee-online-student-thomas-thunder-on-pursuing-his-degree-at-17\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"26435\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/thomas_thunder_article_image_2025.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas Thunder playing drums\" class=\"wp-image-26435\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thomas Thunder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other end of the spectrum, <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/jazz-singer-and-berklee-online-student-marchell-jackson-on-going-back-to-school-in-her-70s\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marchell Jackson<\/a> earned her Songwriting bachelor\u2019s degree after more than 60 years as a professional jazz vocalist and recording artist, and <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/paul-zarvis-on-pursuing-his-berklee-degree-when-hes-64\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paul Zarvis<\/a> is earning his degree in music production at the age of 64.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/jazz-singer-and-berklee-online-student-marchell-jackson-on-going-back-to-school-in-her-70s\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1262\" height=\"862\" data-id=\"26929\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Marchell-Jackson-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Marchell Jackson, a 75-year-old graduate of Berklee Online gives a wave as she crosses the stage at Commencement.\" class=\"wp-image-26929\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marchell Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/paul-zarvis-on-pursuing-his-berklee-degree-when-hes-64\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"20137\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/paul_zarvis_article_image_2023.jpg\" alt=\"Berklee Online student Paul Zarvis is pictured leaning against a building with a keyboard\" class=\"wp-image-20137\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Paul Zarvis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike campus-based colleges where the average age of a student is in their 20s, we see a wide range of students of all ages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-transfer-students\"><strong>Transfer Students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many Berklee Online students enter their programs with existing credit thanks to our generous <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/degrees\/about\/undergraduate-degree-transfer-credits?campaign_id=7010Z000001ZkQgQAK&amp;pid=&amp;utm_source=takenote&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bol-gen-takenote-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">undergraduate<\/a> and <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/degrees\/about\/graduate-degree-transfer-credits?campaign_id=7010Z000001ZkQgQAK&amp;pid=&amp;utm_source=takenote&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bol-gen-takenote-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">graduate<\/a> degree transfer policies, which also include partnerships with <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/transfer-partner-schools?campaign_id=7010Z000001ZkQgQAK&amp;pid=&amp;utm_source=takenote&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bol-gen-takenote-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">community colleges<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read about Berklee Online alum <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/dexter-kodats-journey-to-electric-lady-studios\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dexter Kodat<\/a>, who transferred to Berklee Online from the Community College of Philadelphia, and started working at the iconic Electric Lady Studios in NYC. In addition, some students can take advantage of <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/degrees\/about\/undergraduate-prior-learning-credit?campaign_id=7010Z000001ZkQgQAK&amp;pid=&amp;utm_source=takenote&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bol-gen-takenote-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prior learning credits<\/a>, where they can earn up to 30 credits by demonstrating their proficiency in a subject through life and professional experience. Guitar degree student <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/berklee-online-student-alex-born-earns-credit-for-prior-learning-in-college-and-life-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alex Born<\/a> earned 18 prior learning credits for his experience owning a music school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/dexter-kodats-journey-to-electric-lady-studios\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"20060\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dexter_kodat_article_image_2023.jpg\" alt=\"Dexter Kodat in front of the doors of Electric Lady Studios\" class=\"wp-image-20060\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dexter Kodat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/berklee-online-student-alex-born-earns-credit-for-prior-learning-in-college-and-life-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"18041\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/alex_born_article_image_2022.jpg\" alt=\"Alex Born playing guitar in his home studio.\" class=\"wp-image-18041\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alex Born<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-degree-completion-students\"><strong>Degree Completion Students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For students who left the Berklee College of Music campus before graduating, Berklee Online offers the <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/degrees\/about\/undergraduate-degree-completion?campaign_id=7010Z000001ZkQgQAK&amp;pid=&amp;utm_source=takenote&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bol-gen-takenote-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">degree completion<\/a> program where some students have the option to complete their degree through Berklee Online. This includes folks like <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/back-to-school-40-years-later-berklee-grads-on-alumni-degree-completion-journey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sheri Alexander<\/a>, who had to leave Berklee College of Music in 1979 because of a health issue, enrolled in the degree completion program, and walked at the 2019 Commencement ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/back-to-school-40-years-later-berklee-grads-on-alumni-degree-completion-journey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1369\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Sheri-Take-Note.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13298\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sheri Alexander, pictured as a Berklee student in 1979, left, and as a Berklee graduate in 2019, right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-music-professionals\"><strong>Music Professionals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional musicians know that adapting with the industry is vital. That\u2019s why you\u2019re bound to meet a music professional in a Berklee Online course. We often work with professionals who are changing fields within the music industry, or want to add another skill set to their repertoire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We saw that with <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/roots-bassist-mark-kelley-on-completing-his-degree-with-berklee-online-20-years-later\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mark Kelley<\/a>, bassist for The Roots, and <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/saxophonist-leon-silva-on-justin-timberlake-the-bosstones-and-earning-his-berklee-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leon Silva<\/a>, saxophonist for Justin Timberlake and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who both finished their degrees through Berklee Online, 20 years after starting them on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/roots-bassist-mark-kelley-on-completing-his-degree-with-berklee-online-20-years-later\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"20857\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mark_kelley_article_image_2024.jpg\" alt=\"Mark Kelley of The Roots stands in front of the logo for his employer, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.\" class=\"wp-image-20857\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mark Kelley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/saxophonist-leon-silva-on-justin-timberlake-the-bosstones-and-earning-his-berklee-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"20988\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/leon_silva_article_image_2024.jpg\" alt=\"Leon Silva is shown playing saxophone with high profile musicians, and holding the diploma he received after decades away from Berklee.\" class=\"wp-image-20988\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leon Silva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often we are lucky to have globally acclaimed artists study at Berklee Online, including: Alessandro Cortini, former keyboardist for Nine Inch Nails; Ryan Lewis; members of the band Train; Portugal. The Man; members of the band <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/making-music-career-advice-annie-clements-sugarland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sugarland<\/a>; Stefan Lessard, bassist for Dave Matthews Band; Trey Anastasio of Phish; <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/meet-producer-fraser-t-smith\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fraser T. Smith<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/podcast-episode-nineteen-trevor-horn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trevor Horn<\/a>; and <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/kip-winger-talks-grammy-nomination-berklee-online-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kip Winger<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-touring-students\"><strong>Touring Students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When opportunities come knocking, Berklee Online students can answer by being able to take their studies on tour with them. In a similar vein to students who are music professionals, we have had many students who take Berklee Online courses from their tour buses and hotel rooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/fresh-off-the-eras-tour-kamilah-marshall-to-give-keynote-at-berklee-onsite-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kamilah Marshall<\/a>, a long-time backing vocalist of Taylor Swift who completed her Berklee Online degree while on the record-breaking Eras Tour, as well as country singer <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/katelyn-brown-talks-berklee-online-graduation-future-career-plans-and-life-at-home-with-kane-brown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Katelyn Brown<\/a>, who earned her Music Business degree while on tour with husband Kane Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/fresh-off-the-eras-tour-kamilah-marshall-to-give-keynote-at-berklee-onsite-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"26668\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/kamilah_marshall_article_image_2025.jpg\" alt=\"Singer, songwriter, and dancer Kamilah Marshall is pictured with her brown hair up in a bun, wearing big hoop earrings and a pink button-down shirt that matches her lipstick.\" class=\"wp-image-26668\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kamilah Marshall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/katelyn-brown-talks-berklee-online-graduation-future-career-plans-and-life-at-home-with-kane-brown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"19158\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/katelyn_brown_article_image_2019.jpg\" alt=\"Katelyn Brown with cap and gown during graduation.\" class=\"wp-image-19158\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Katelyn Brown<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-music-enthusiasts\"><strong>Music Enthusiasts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some Berklee Online students are taking courses, earning a certificate, or a degree, not because they\u2019re looking to further their career, but for their own personal enrichment. We see students come to Berklee Online with established careers, but want to express themselves outside of their 9-5 by learning songwriting, how to record, or how to play the guitar, like <a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/richard-boyatzis-on-using-his-intentional-change-theory-to-re-learn-guitar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Richard Boyatzis<\/a>, who is one of the world\u2019s leading scholars on emotional intelligence, behavior change, and leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/richard-boyatzis-on-using-his-intentional-change-theory-to-re-learn-guitar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/online.berklee.edu\/takenote\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/richard_boyatzis_article_image_2024.jpg\" alt=\"Richard Boyatzis giving a lecture\" class=\"wp-image-20956\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Richard Boyatzis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By no means is this list exhaustive, but we hope it gives you a better idea of what kinds of students you\u2019ll meet at Berklee Online, and how our student population looks a little different than traditional colleges and music institutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>If you\u2019d like to speak with an Advisor, feel free to call 1-866-BERKLEE (or +1-617-747-2146 if you\u2019re outside the US) or send us an email at <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"mailto:advisors@online.berklee.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">advisors@online.berklee.edu<\/a>. You can also schedule a <\/em><a aria-label=\"30-minute consultation (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/app.acuityscheduling.com\/schedule.php?owner=11423824&amp;appointmentType\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>30-minute consultation<\/em><\/a><em>!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With a global student population, all seeking flexibility in their music studies and a desire to learn from anywhere, Berklee Online offers unique networking and collaboration you can\u2019t find anywhere else. Learn about the kinds of students you\u2019ll meet at Berklee Online. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":27234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9560,32],"tags":[9076,6751,9077,6648],"class_list":["post-19096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spotlight","category-student-stories","tag-berklee-online-students","tag-degree-completion","tag-military-students","tag-transfer-students"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.8 (Yoast SEO v25.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Students You\u2019ll Meet at Berklee Online - Berklee Online Take Note<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From military students, to transfter students, music professionals, and music enthusiasts, learn about the students 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