This spring, the college’s Gracenotes Volunteer Committee sponsored its third annual trip to New Mexico. A group of nine staff and faculty members traveled to Santa Fe to work with Habitat for Humanity. Here, one of the trip participants, Micaela Basilici, shares her experience.
By Micaela Basilici
I stand at my desk, hand resting on a wireless mouse versus wrapped around a drill; my waist now light, having replaced the weight of a stocked tool belt with just two pieces of plastic (Berklee ID and CharlieCard). As I reach for my designated office jacket to combat the AC, I recall feeling the sweat evaporate off my skin from the dry heat of midday Santa Fe. I pause and close my eyes.
• • •
I am in New Mexico, standing atop the roof we just finished insulating, savoring the breathtaking view of the mountains surrounding the pueblo before we descend the ladder for the last time, holding it steady for one another—brace, pivot, step. Three points of contact. Don’t look down…
• • •
This trip exposed me to a world so vastly different from my ‘normal.’ I felt a new perspective manifesting within me so strongly it was almost tangible. I’m still reeling. I knew it was going to be life changing, I just didn’t foresee myself feeling it this much. I feel stronger, braver, more confident in my abilities, and more connected to Berklee. I am so inspired to continue to nurture Berklee’s cultural and social impact in Back Bay, Boston, and the larger music and higher ed communities.
Working with and learning from AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity, Berklee, and future homeowners was an experience unlike any other. Together we built walls, secured fences for protection and privacy, and landscaped to add a little extra touch of beauty. Furthermore, we helped create something that will hopefully last for many generations to come—a home that will foster love and provide opportunity for our fellow humans.
Micaela Basilici currently works for Berklee’s Enrollment Marketing and Management team. With passion for music performance, education, and outreach, she is excited to be in an environment that cultivates learning and community-building through the arts. She loves to be in nature, engulfed by trees, animals, mountains, and water.