Hello, everyone! My name is Nicolás Mariñelarena, and I’m the president of the Latin American Music & Business Association at Berklee. We strive to connect Berklee students with the Latin music industry, and usually organize school trips, panels, and even televised contests and concerts.
We usually call relevant industry figures – such as artists, producers, managers, engineers, and business people – to visit Berklee and give clinics, but this time it was the other way around… I was mixing in an MP&E a few weeks ago (I’m also an MP&E major) when suddenly I received a call from the 818 area code. I wondered who could be calling from California. I answer, and the first thing I hear is, “Hello, Nik? This is KC Porter”. I was speechless. This man has collaborated, co-written and produced such artists as Ricky Martin, Selena, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and Santana.
He called to invite us, the Association, personally to the first Central American Music Conference in Nicaragua. We had established contact with him before to see if he was up for giving a clinic at Berklee, but he also saw an opportunity in bringing us down here.
The intent of the conference is to bring closer together the people working in the music industry in Central America. Gabriel Traversari, Nicaraguan TV and media personality, and the main man behind this project, aimed to bring forth numerous relevant personalities in the music industry and educate people about how the industry works and what to expect from a job inside it.
Needless to say, KC would be one of the numerous important names speaking. He is also a very active delegate for the conference. We loved the idea, and immediately said yes, and so here we are. I’m alongside co-president and long-time friend, Pablo Latapí. We will keep reporting from the inside. Expect new posts soon!
- Nicaragua: Day 2 - July 18, 2009
- Nicaragua: Day 1 - July 12, 2009
- Berklee goes to Nicaragua - July 11, 2009
jb
How was the weather!?