Music Business Program in Los Angeles

About the Program

Berklee’s Music Business Summer Program in Los Angeles is a five-day, interactive experience designed to teach aspiring artists, managers, and entrepreneurs how to launch a successful career in the music industry. Learn about the structure and key players in the music industry, as well as the primary areas of artist development–understanding music rights, revenue streams, branding, social media strategy, content creation, music marketing, and more—all of which are taught by a diverse array of established music industry professionals and Berklee’s world-class faculty. Put that knowledge and experience into action by working with real emerging artists to develop a brand and image, social media content strategy, and a rollout plan for their next release. In the culminating experience of the program, students get to pitch their ideas directly to the artists and a panel of music industry executives for feedback. This program takes place in the heart of the Los Angeles arts corridor on the campus of the Colburn School.

How to Enroll

This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation. You will secure your spot by paying in full.

Step 1Submit your registration
Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
Step 2Make your tuition payment
All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
Step 3Request housing
If you will be age 15 or older by the start of your Boston-based program and require on-campus accommodations, complete the Residence Hall Agreement in the Next Steps tab of your registration portal.
Step 4Complete your next steps
Visit the Next Steps section of your program to view and complete any additional requirements. Review the checklist to make sure you are on track.

Curriculum

Using case studies, you will follow a DIY musician’s career journey from emerging artist to established professional.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

Describe foundational music industry terminology, as well as key industry players and their roles.
List and describe the primary sources of income available to developing artists, as well as identify potential new sources.
Evaluate a developing artist’s brand and online presence and provide constructive feedback.
Apply best practices on social media to maximize engagement and fanbase development.
Create engaging content (focus on short-form video) for TikTok and Instagram.
Develop the basic framework for a music marketing campaign.

Visiting Artists

Experience exclusive access to visiting artists who are shaping the industry. These guest artists share their creative processes, career goals, and industry insights, while guiding students in developing actionable marketing strategies. The program culminated in a unique opportunity for students to pitch their ideas to executives and artists.

Schedule

The Music Business Program is built around a steady rhythm of learning, listening, and connecting. Here’s what you can expect throughout the week.

Throughout the Program

Subject-Matter SeminarsCore concepts with faculty
Hands-On WorkshopsPractice what you learn in class
Panel DiscussionsExperts across the music business
Industry InterviewsConversations with professionals worldwide
Q&A and NetworkingOpen floor, plus time with peers
Field TripsOff-site visits across the city
Evening ActivitiesCollaboration beyond the classroom

Requirements

We are looking for ambitious young artists, managers, influencers, and entrepreneurs ages 14+ from all parts of the globe who are ready to learn how to make a living in the music business. If you love being creative, are naturally curious and a great listener, work well with diverse groups of people (or want to learn how to do that), and can’t wait to learn how to take your career—or the careers of others—to the next level, then this is the program for you.
You do not have to be a performer or an artist. In addition to Berklee faculty, you'll work closely with creators, entrepreneurs, and other leading experts and educators in the music industry.
Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.
- Laptop
- Notebook and pencil
- Smartphone or video camera

Program-Specific Details

Stay on Campus at Colburn

Participants will study on the campus of the Colburn School. This program is conveniently located in LA’s downtown arts corridor.

Students enrolled in Film Scoring in Los Angeles or Songwriting Sessions in Los Angeles have the option to live on campus at the Colburn School. Enjoy the convenience of on-campus housing, access to practice rooms, furnished suites, and a supportive residential staff. To reserve your spot, complete the Residence Hall Agreement in your Berklee application portal after registering for your program. Visit our help center to learn more about housing at Colburn.

Residential students must remain on the Colburn School campus for the entirety of the program.

Commuter students must remain on the Colburn School campus from the start to end of classes each day.

Program Directors

Tonya Butler
"My background as an entertainment attorney and record label executive means that I have done what you want to do and been where you want to go. Now it's your turn."
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Christopher Wares
"I have a strong passion for music, business, and education, and I am constantly seeking new and innovative ways to bring them together."
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Once You've Enrolled

Please regularly check the email you used to enroll in your program for important updates. A detailed check-in email, containing information about your assigned arrival location, housing assignment (if applicable), and program schedule, will be sent one to two weeks before your program's start date.
On-campus housing is limited, and spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis based on the completion of the following steps:
1. Read, sign, and submit the residence hall agreement on the registration portal.
2. The Summer Programs team will review your signed residence hall agreement within 3-5 business days. After review, we will send you an email inviting you to return to the registration portal to view your on-campus housing decision letter.
3. If your request has been approved, secure your spot by accepting your offer and paying the housing fee in full.
Important Considerations
- For students enrolled in multiple programs, please complete a separate residence hall agreement (along with the accompanying housing fee payment) for each program.
- To be eligible to request on-campus housing, a student must be 15 years of age before the start of their program.
- If a student is under the age of 18, the request for on-campus housing must be filled out by a parent/guardian, and both the student and parent/guardian must agree to all the terms and conditions.
- Applicants for Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) and Vocal/Choral Intensive (VCI) must first be offered admission and accept their offer before their residence hall agreement submission will be considered.
- Since space in our residence halls is limited, a spot in our residence halls will only be guaranteed once a student has fully registered for their chosen program and paid the program tuition in full. Any housing requests or payments made before the completion of both these steps do not ensure a guaranteed place in on-campus housing.
Learn more about housing and campus life by exploring the Help Center.
Accommodations are provided for students with documented medical needs, offering services such as academic accommodations, academic coaching, special housing arrangements, dietary adjustments, and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring.
Accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Requests for academic, housing, and dietary accommodations can be made by following the steps outlined in this Help Center article.

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