The 7th edition of Berklee Abu Dhabi's PEARL Programme will begin in September.
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is excited to welcome musicians from the UAE and across the Middle East to the seventh edition of Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Performance Artistry & Leadership (PEARL) Programme, starting on 9th September. Applications are open until 18th August.
This unique 12-week intensive programme is organized by Berklee Abu Dhabi, the first Middle East outpost of Berklee College of Music, which is a leading institute for contemporary music and the performing arts.
PEARL provides opportunities for emerging artists to refine their skills and become the next generation of independent musicians in the region. Eligible applicants for the PEARL programme include singer-songwriters, bands, instrumentalists, producers, or DJs. They are required to submit demos of original compositions and live video performances.
The programme is open to all music genres, including pop, rock, soul, R&B, rap, jazz, Arabic traditional, and electronic music. Students who are selected from a competitive pool of candidates will gain in-depth knowledge of strategies in songwriting, production, marketing, music business, and entrepreneurship.
At the end of the programme, students will have the opportunity to write, record, and produce their own music, with the potential to make an impact in the region and beyond. The programme also offers valuable insights from industry experts and opportunities through the Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellowship Fund, which could potentially lead to pursuing higher music education across Berklee's campuses.
During the programme, students will be mentored by multi-award-winning musicians and faculty, including music producer Miklos Malek, pianist and songwriter Roger Rayan, Berklee Abu Dhabi director Gael Hedding, singer-songwriter and Berklee Abu Dhabi’s artistic director Mayssa Karaa, in addition to many music industry experts.
Established in 2020 through a partnership between Berklee College of Music and DCT Abu Dhabi, the Berklee Abu Dhabi Institute aims to revolutionize arts education in the Middle East. The PEARL programme underscores Berklee Abu Dhabi and DCT Abu Dhabi’s dedication to positioning the emirate as a hub for musical and cultural exchange while equipping students with the skills to pursue careers in the creative industry.