The Ministry of Culture officially inaugurated the “Berklee in Santo Domingo 2026” international academic program on Monday, 5 January 2026. The initiative has gathered nearly 200 young musicians from across the Dominican Republic for a week of intensive training at the National Conservatory of Music, the Eduardo Brito National Theater, and various other cultural venues.
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. It is sponsored by the AES Dominicana Foundation and Itabo.
This year’s cohort was selected from a pool of over 1,000 applicants hailing from different provinces throughout the country.
The opening ceremony was led by Vice Minister of Creativity and Artistic Training Amaury Sánchez, representing the Minister of Culture. He was joined by Vice Minister of Cultural Industries Alicia Baroni; General Director of Fine Arts Marinella Sallent; National Conservatory Director Paola González; and Jason Camelio, Vice President of Global Initiatives at Berklee College of Music.
Key private sector representatives included AES Dominicana president Edwin de los Santos and Osvaldo González, assistant general manager of the the electricity generator Itabo. Also in attendance were Elvis Guzmán, director of Specialized Artistic Training at Fine Arts; María Martínez Iturriaga, senior vice president of Global Programs and Partners at Berklee; and Javier Vargas, coordinator of Berklee in Santo Domingo.
Following the inauguration, the academic program commenced with orientations and training sessions. From 6 to 9 January 2026, students will participate in intensive days of classes, auditions, interviews, and rehearsals. The curriculum covers performance, composition, and music production.
The visiting faculty is led by Berklee Academic Director Zahili González Zamor and Assistant Academic Director Fernando Huergo. The teaching staff includes Tyrone Chase, Nick Grondin, Daniel Rosenthal, Lauren Sevian, Nichelle Mungo, Ivanna Cuesta, Josean Jacobo and Jason Camelio.
A highlight of the week is a masterclass by Berklee alumni, the renowned Dominican pianist and composer Michel Camilo, scheduled for Wednesday, 7 January, at the National Theater. On the same day, Camilo and other cultural figures are set to meet with President Luis Abinader at the National Palace.
The schedule also features the Berklee Faculty Concert on Thursday, 8 January at the Juan Francisco García Hall of the National Conservatory. The program also includes auditions for the Michel Camilo Scholarship Competition, a key initiative designed to recognize and support outstanding musical talent.
The event will conclude on Saturday, 10 January, with a student concert, followed by a closing ceremony and scholarship presentation in the Carlos Piantini Hall of the National Theater.
Organizers emphasized that Berklee in Santo Domingo 2026 serves as a strategic platform for high-level musical training and cultural exchange, strengthening the cooperation between the Dominican Republic and one of the world’s most prestigious music institutions.
The program operates under a cooperation agreement signed between the Ministry of Culture and Berklee College of Music. Valid through November 2026, the agreement aims to bolster music education in the country by implementing Berklee’s pedagogical model and providing access to international standards of excellence.
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Presidency
6 January 2026