BOSTON—Berklee College of Music President Roger Brown wants to transform music at a global scale whether its visual, auditory or technology. On Nov. 15, he will receive New England Choice Awards for his contributions to art, culture and music.
Mr. Brown sat down for an exclusive Chai With Manju interview and spoke about his inspiring journey, pioneering role of Berklee College of Music, Berklee Indian Ensemble, Indian music icon A.R Rahman and Bollywood movie Gully Boy.
To watch the full interview, please click here or on the link below.
Mr. Brown is Berklee’s third president in the institution’s history. Under his leadership, the college has expanded scholarship support by 400 percent; created an international campus in Valencia, Spain; built its first ground-up custom facility boasting 173 residence hall rooms, a state-of-the-art recording complex, and a dining hall/performance venue; and established a suite of institutes including the Berklee Global Jazz Institute under the direction of jazz pianist Danilo Pérez.
The college has expanded its global reach to attract students from over 100 countries, markedly improved gender diversity, dramatically increased admissions selectivity, and created the world’s largest online music education system. During his tenure, the City Music Program, which offers educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged young musicians, has expanded outside of Boston, now serving more than 29,000 young middle school and high school-aged young people. Before joining the college, Brown cofounded Bright Horizons, the largest provider of worksite childcare in the world, with his wife, Linda Mason. Mr. Brown has also been a leader in humanitarian initiatives in Africa and Southeast Asia. He is an avid drummer.
Mr. Brown has been recognized for his humanitarian, educational, and entrepreneurial achievements by the government of Valencia, Spain with the Cruz de Honor; by the March of Dimes Franklin Delano Roosevelt Humanitarian Award; and by being named, along with his wife, as a Visionary Social Entrepreneur at the 2012 Social Venture Network’s Hall of Fame Celebration.
