Dominican Republic Kicks Off Berklee Music Program for 200 Young Artists

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, launched its international academic program “Berklee en Santo Domingo 2026” on Monday. The week-long initiative is set to immerse nearly 200 young musicians from across the country in intensive training at the National Conservatory of Music, the Eduardo Brito National Theater, and other cultural venues.

Amaury Sánchez, Deputy Minister of Creativity and Artistic Training, represented the Minister of Culture at the opening ceremony. He was joined by Alicia Baroni, Deputy Minister of Cultural Industries; Marinella Sallent, General Director of Fine Arts; and Paola González, Director of the National Conservatory. Jason Camelio, Vice President of Global Initiatives for Berklee College of Music, also attended.

Other notable figures included Edwin de los Santos, President of AES Dominicana, and Osvaldo González, Deputy General Manager of Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Itabo. Elvis Guzmán, Director of the Department of Specialized Artistic Training, along with María Martínez Iturriaga, Senior Vice President of Global Programs and Partners for Berklee College of Music, and Javier Vargas, Coordinator for Berklee en Santo Domingo, were also present. Academic authorities, faculty, students, and cultural sector guests rounded out the attendees.

The Ministry of Culture spearheads “Berklee en Santo Domingo 2026” in coordination with the General Directorate of Fine Arts, the National Conservatory of Music, and Berklee College of Music. The program receives sponsorship from the AES Dominicana Foundation and Itabo.

This year's program benefits selected students chosen from a pool of over 1,000 applicants hailing from various provinces across the Dominican Republic.

Following the inauguration, classes, academic orientations, and training sessions for participants immediately commenced. From January 6 to 9, the agenda includes intensive classes, auditions, interviews, and rehearsals led by a team of renowned Berklee faculty. These sessions cover areas such as performance, composition, and music production.

Zahili González Zamor serves as the program's academic director, with Fernando Huergo as assistant academic director. The teaching staff also features Tyrone Chase, Nick Grondin, Daniel Rosenthal, Lauren Sevian, Nichelle Mungo, Ivanna Cuesta, Josean Jacobo, and Jason Camelio, who will guide students throughout the educational process.

A master class by renowned maestro Michel Camilo is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, at the Eduardo Brito National Theater. That same day, Camilo and other cultural figures are slated to meet with President Luis Abinader at the National Palace.

The program also features the Berklee Faculty Concert on Thursday, January 8, in the Juan Francisco García Hall of the National Conservatory of Music. Additionally, auditions for the Michel Camilo Scholarship Competition, a key initiative recognizing outstanding musical talent, will take place.

Activities will conclude on Saturday, January 10, with a Student Concert, followed by the closing ceremony and scholarship presentations in the Carlos Piantini Hall of the Eduardo Brito National Theater. A farewell dinner for participants and faculty will cap off the week.

Organizing institutions emphasized that “Berklee en Santo Domingo 2026” serves as a strategic platform for high-level musical training, cultural exchange, and the internationalization of young Dominican musicians. It aims to strengthen cooperation between the Dominican Republic and one of the world's most prestigious music institutions.

This program falls under a cooperation agreement signed in May between the Ministry of Culture and Berklee College of Music, which remains in effect until November 2026. The agreement seeks to enhance music education in the country through the implementation of Berklee's pedagogical model, academic exchange, and access to international standards of excellence.