The live music production and design specialization explores the design, management, and execution of live and virtual productions.
In just one year, artists in Berklee NYC’s live music production and design Master of Arts program emerge with the skills, portfolio, and network to make emotional connections with worldwide audiences through innovative technology.
The core curriculum of this program provides students with foundational knowledge for their careers that address both the business and creative sides of the performing arts.
WHAT IS IT?
Live Music Production and Design
As technology blurs the lines between music, theater, and interactive media, this unique program gives students the skills to thrive in an experience-driven world.
![Two performers are sitting, silhouetted in front of an LED wall glowing orange.](https://nyc.berklee.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_to_480px_width/public/2021-12/Innovation-Driven%20Perspective_0.jpg?fv=89pEV3Kg&itok=k7cFxMPj)
Our Philosophy
Students cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and learn a wide range of artistic skills and technologies, including content creation, sound design, live production design, lighting, story and narrative, set design, video systems, networking, programming, and 3D design.
Live music production and design students are immersed in the production of a wide variety of events to foster the artistic and technical collaborations as well as the human aspects of theater, concert, and event production.
By creating compelling art as a member of a diverse and talented team with access to transformative technology, students discover their perfect place in the live event industry.
![A cameraperson uses a Red Camera, jib and screen viewer to film a performer in front of an LED wall.](https://nyc.berklee.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_to_480px_width/public/2021-12/Industry-Leading%20Curriculum.jpg?fv=JJNGWmN4&itok=bX1nVgZm)
Who are we?
Human Connections
Students in live music production and design work alongside faculty who are designing the latest Broadway shows, constructing current large-scale product activations, and creating content and lighting design for major musical acts and festivals.
The Berklee NYC faculty and students are embedded in the fabric of New York City, a cultural capital of the world and a hotbed of artistic innovation. Being here puts you on the cutting edge of worldwide trends.
"Within the pulsating heartbeat of our diverse community lies the alchemy of creativity— a symphony of cultures, skills, and experiences converging to shape the future of live production. This program echoes the ethos that true greatness emerges when we embrace this rich tapestry of content creators, designers, and technologists.”
Daniel Pembroke
Program Director, Live Music Production and Design
Berklee NYC
![A performer poses and sings onstage in front of an audience, backed by an LED wall with elaborate visuals, as lights and projections are created.](https://nyc.berklee.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_to_480px_width/public/2021-12/Experiential%20and%20Collaborative%20Workflow%201.jpg?fv=A3Atbsg9&itok=KNohzPJS)
Experiential and Collaborative Workflow
Awe-Inspiring Experiences
Live artists recognize the need to craft the synchronized, awe-inspiring, multisensory memorable experiences that audiences are clamoring for. As a one-year graduate program with a faculty of working professionals, Berklee NYC's curriculum can constantly adapt and keep ahead of trends in entertainment.
Straying away from traditional perspectives and historical constraints, this program prioritizes a forward-thinking approach, steering clear of the limitations imposed by conventional norms. It maintains a laser focus on contemporary relevance, with a curriculum that eschews the "this is how we’ve always done it before" mindset.
A Berklee NYC graduate from this specialization tells future collaborators, “I know how shows are run, I know how to inspire audiences, I’ve learned how to support all crew members with collaboration and communication, and I have become inspired to build my career based on what I’ve learned.”
We seek a varied group of motivated, creative, and focused candidates with solid academic and professional backgrounds who can contribute a diversity of experience, insight, and skills.
Creative-minded performers: Artistic individuals with a flair for creativity aiming to delve into the nuances of artistic concepts beyond the stage will find a unique chance this year to polish their artistic identity, elevate their proficiency, and foster meaningful relationships. All of this unfolds within the inspiring context of artistic design concepts in production.
Artists aspiring to breathe life into their creations: With a thriving industry encompassing theaters, festivals, and cutting-edge live events seeking animation, art, music, sound, direction, and programming, this year is tailored for artists to elevate their already profound skills within a dynamic and flourishing sector.
Live event technicians eager to redefine their careers: In a rapidly evolving landscape of live event technology, those well-versed in sound, lighting, video, and broadcast technologies are acutely aware of the industry's swift transformations. For working technicians, this program offers a curriculum designed to amplify creativity with the latest event technologies, enabling a reinvention of their careers.