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| Inter-American Development Bank Partners with Berklee on Music Ed in Latin America Berklee Latino, Berklee College of Music's Spanish-language program, returns to Bogota, Colombia, this week with partner Washington, D.C.-based Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Berklee, IDB, and local private, non-profit, and governmental organizations teamed up to cover the program fees, travel, and lodging expenses for more than 60 youth from underserved communities that could not otherwise afford to attend. IDB's $670, 000 grant to the institution – through the Korean Poverty Reduction Fund – establishes the Berklee/IDB Interactive Music Education Partnership to help bring music education to talented students in the region as the college expands its work in Latin America. The Berklee/IDB partnership is the first initiative that employs Berklee's renowned curriculum via three synchronized components: Berklee Latino clinics, Berklee PULSE Music Method, and specialized Berklee MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). The partnership will also allow for the translation of selected material into Spanish and integration of fully licensed contemporary Latin music. The collaboration was established by IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno; Juan Luis Guerra, Grammy Award-winning Berklee alumnus; Ann Kreis, Berklee global ambassador; Berklee President Roger H. Brown; and Cindy Albert Link, Berklee senior vice president for institutional advancement. "IDB's goal to improve lives in Latin America aligns with Berklee's core value to make a positive impact on the lives of young people through music, making the bank and the college ideal strategic partners as Berklee develops music education programs in the region, " said Link. Berklee Latino offers Spanish-speaking musicians the opportunity to explore the essence of Latin American music and experience Berklee's curriculum in their own country through master classes, clinics, and ensembles. The college piloted the program in Mexico and has since expanded it to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Berklee Latino has already demonstrated results above and beyond expectations. "We are creating a powerful ecosystem of partnerships, ensuring student success, and a sustainable, scalable program, " added Link. The Berklee PULSE Music Method is a unique and innovative online music education portal that gives students and teachers access to Berklee curriculum no matter where they live. "Coupled with the training of the teachers to use PULSE and providing computers to the local schools, we are creating an unprecedented opportunity for thousands of kids across the continent to experience music education at no cost, " said Lee Whitmore, vice president for education outreach and social entrepreneurship. In addition, Berklee Online—Berklee's online extension school—will translate ten existing online classes into Spanish and Portuguese and will develop two additional MOOCs through EdX and Coursera platforms. Berklee was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For 70 years, the college has evolved to reflect the current state of the music industry, leading the way with baccalaureate studies in performance, music business/management, songwriting, music therapy, film scoring, and more. In June 2016, the Boston Conservatory merged with Berklee, creating the world's most comprehensive and dynamic training ground for music, dance, theater, and related professions. With a focus on global learning, the Berklee campus in Valencia, Spain, offers graduate programs and study abroad opportunity, while Berklee Online serves distance learners worldwide with extension classes and degree-granting programs. The Berklee City Music Network provides after-school programming for underserved teens in 46 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. With a student body representing more than 100 countries, abundant international undergraduate and graduate student populations (33 and 53 percent respectively), and alumni and faculty who have won more than 300 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today—and tomorrow. write your comments about the article :: © 2016 Jazz News :: home page |