Young musicians highlight the formative impact experienced at Berklee in Santo Domingo 2026

Santo Domingo. – With an atmosphere marked by motivation, talent, and high expectations, more than 200 young musicians began this Monday the program Berklee in Santo Domingo 2026, an intensive high-level musical training experience that takes place at the National Conservatory of Music and will run until January 10th.

The program is organized by the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the General Directorate of Fine Arts, the National Conservatory of Music, and Berklee College of Music, with the sponsorship of the AES Dominicana and Itabo Foundation, reaffirming the institutional commitment to excellence in artistic education. For six days, participants will receive specialized training in key areas such as music theory, improvisation, instrumental technique, ensemble, composition, and arrangements, under the guidance of Berklee College of Music faculty and guest professors. The academic agenda will culminate in a final concert, in which students will present the results of the learning acquired throughout the program.

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Among the participants is Cristian Cruz, a pianist who is experiencing Berklee in Santo Domingo for the first time.
“This is my first opportunity to be here. I hope to learn a lot and improve my technique. I want to be a producer, and I know that this experience will be key to applying new knowledge in my productions. I am very excited,” he expressed.

Vocalist Yvanna Peña Loyola, who participated in the 2024 edition, returns with renewed enthusiasm. “As a musician, one never stops learning, especially in areas such as composition and production. We must always take advantage of opportunities like this,” she stated. For David Hernández, the expectations for this edition are particularly high. “I am sure there will be a lot of music, a lot of emotion and a great artistic level,” he commented. For his part, Jean Carlos Rivas is participating for the first time after learning about the program through a friend’s recommendation. “I hope to learn a lot from the professors and, with effort and dedication, aspire to a scholarship,” he expressed. From Miami, Ilam Payan highlighted the value of reconnecting with the Dominican musical community. “This is my third time at Berklee in Santo Domingo. Last year I got a scholarship for Berklee in Summer and this year I hope to continue growing and surpass that experience,” he pointed out. Finally, singer and pianist Leury Frías summed up the spirit that is experienced at the National Conservatory of Music: “I want to enjoy, sing, learn and fully live music, because it is what I love. Let’s go with everything, with discipline and passion.” The Berklee program in Santo Domingo has established itself as a fundamental platform for the development of Dominican musical talent, providing young artists with the opportunity to strengthen their academic training, establish links with international experts, and project their careers onto global stages.