The Berklee College of Music is teaming up once again with the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira for the second edition of the “Berklee at Gnaoua and World Music Festival” program. This unique event, part of Berklee’s global initiative “Berklee on the Road,” will take place from June 16 to June 21, 2025, in the picturesque city of Essaouira, Morocco.
Launched just last year, this program has quickly gained attention from musicians across the globe who are eager to hone their skills in a setting that combines rich culture with artistic exploration. Open to instrumentalists aged 18 and older with at least two years of experience, the program embraces a wide range of musical genres—from classical and jazz to pop, rock, and the rich Gnaoua tradition. This fusion of styles transforms Essaouira into a vibrant musical laboratory, fostering cultural exchange and creativity.
Neila Tazi, president of A3 Communication and producer of the festival, calls this initiative a “remarkable artistic and educational adventure.” “The partnership between the Gnaoua Festival and Berklee embodies a shared vision of the festival as a creative hub. This program, the first of its kind on the African continent, allows musicians to expand their artistic potential by immersing themselves in Essaouira’s cultural heritage,” she explains.
Leading the program is Leo Blanco, a renowned pianist and Berklee professor with Latin American roots. Blanco emphasizes the importance of intercultural dialogue in music education. “Participants will collaborate with musicians from diverse backgrounds, enhancing their ability to listen, interpret, and improvise,” he says. The curriculum focuses on integrating musical traditions from around the world, making it a truly immersive and transformative experience.
Daily sessions, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be led by an impressive lineup of internationally acclaimed instructors, including Blanco (piano), Erini Tornesaki (vocals), Fernando Huergo (bass), Godwin Louis (saxophone), Jason Camelio, and Bri Tagliaferro. To ensure full accessibility, classes will be taught in English with real-time translation into Arabic.
Participants will engage in a variety of workshops focusing on improvisation techniques, musical fusion, artistic collaboration, and an in-depth exploration of Gnaoua traditions. Special emphasis will also be placed on integrating music technology into both creation and live performances.
Beyond the classroom, participants will enjoy exclusive access to all festival concerts, providing an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the festival’s dynamic atmosphere.
Applications are open until March 31, 2025. The participation fee is set at $420 or 4,299 MAD. For further details and to submit your application, visit the official Berklee on the Road website.
With this collaboration, Essaouira reaffirms its status as a thriving cultural hub, welcoming artists and musicians from every corner of the globe for a week of artistic exchange and discovery. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or an aspiring artist, the 2025 edition promises to be an unforgettable celebration of creativity and cultural unity.
