Berklee Blogs

First-hand accounts of the Berklee experience

Tag: songwriting (Page 1 of 7)

songwriting

My Afternoon in a Tree House with John Mayer

John Mayer and Callie Sullivan

Image by Kelly Davidson

Musician/songwriter John Mayer stopped by Berklee on June 16, 2017, to workshop songs from six students in front of a 500-strong crowd. One of those songwriting students, Callie Sullivan, shares her experience below.

By Callie Sullivan B.M. ’17

One month ago I was crossing the stage at Agganis Arena. I collected my diploma, shook hands with Berklee President Roger H. Brown, snapped a selfie with Todd Rundgren and Lionel Richie, and was on my way to start the rest of my life. The very next morning I said my goodbyes and left Boston for what I thought would be forever. Little did I know that while I was unpacking my things in my new Nashville, Tennessee, home, I’d get an email from Pat Pattison asking if I’d be willing to come back to play a show with John Mayer. Without even fully processing it all, I had a flight back to Boston.

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My Day with Fame: Workshopping with John Mayer

Charlotte Lessin on stage

Performing the song “Space” for John Mayer.

Musician/songwriter John Mayer stopped by Berklee on June 16, 2017, to workshop songs from six students in front of a 500-strong crowd. One of those songwriting students, Charlotte Lessin, shares her experience below.

By Charlotte Lessin

Getting the chance to meet and perform for John Mayer is a rare and incredible opportunity. I have been a fan of his music for a long time and to be in his company, let alone have the chance to play my own song for him, was actually a little nerve racking. Until three weeks ago I had never imagined that this could happen.

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Inspiration Abounds on the 2017 Nashville Trip

By Abby Anastasio

Nashville skylineWhen the students going on the 2017 Berklee Nashville Trip boarded the bus in Boston, none of us anticipated that our 25-hour journey would include a breakdown and subsequent pit stop at a secluded Waffle House franchise in the small town of Lexington, VA. Even more surprised than all of us were the employees at that location, who were given no warning that 120 hungry, tired college students were about to touch down and make their day interesting. Within minutes, the tiny restaurant filled with deafening chatter, one student had queued up “All Star” by Smash Mouth on the jukebox, and the hashbrowns were flying from the first order until the bus was finally fixed. As funny as it is to look back on all of us invading that Waffle House, the week in Nashville that followed was far less stressfully spontaneous. Having gone on the trip the year prior, I had a vague idea of what I was getting into, but this trip proved to be a very fresh experience in many ways.

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Berklee College of Music Featuring Ava Suppelsa

Screen Shot 2016-03-03 at 2.43.54 PMWith her blend of folk, pop and country Ms.Ava Suppelsa has the voice of an angel that will sweep you off your feet. Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, at 18 years old Suppelsa is already well beyond her years with her achievements. Starting at only 12 years old she began writing her own music and performing all over the Chicago area. In 2013, Suppelsa participated in the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. The Academy is a boarding school for grads 9-12 specializing in the arts and music. Her emphasis was being involved in their singer/songwriting program.

Now many years into the future the extensive high school music career paid off when she received her acceptance letter for the Berklee College of Music Class of 2019. Currently she is duel majoring in Songwriting and Music Business. We will soon be treated with the release of her newest EP that has not been titled yet. I was honored to be able meet with Ms.Suppelsa to talk about her first year of Berklee and the newest accomplishments to her repertoire of experience.

To hear Ava talk about her journey at Berklee and her future Click Here.

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Behind The Music Featuring Ali Zagame

Screen Shot 2016-02-23 at 3.33.16 PMSinger and songwriter Alessandra Zagame has been through all the walks of life. Whether it is through her personal life or from the lives who have been touched around her. Originally born in Paris, France, Zagame was primarily born in Worcester Massachusetts. Her music career started when she was about 12 years old and continues today. Now a graduating senior here at the Berklee College of Music.

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