Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band)

Years after joining the Dave Matthews Band as a founding member at age 16, Stefan Lessard decided that the time was right to go back to school with Berkleemusic. After completing multiple online courses—and with 20 years of "street cred" under his belt from his years performing with DMB—Stefan not only knows what works from a musical standpoint, he also knows why it works from a theory standpoint.

"It wasn't a hard choice for me to go to Berkleemusic for online courses. It's always been the go-to school for me whenever it came to music."

Courses taken:

• Music Theory 101
• Producing Music with Logic
• Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
• Music Theory 201
• Getting Inside Harmony 1
• Music Production Analysis
• Music Theory 301
• Music Notation Using Finale
• Orchestration 1

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Kevin Plessner (Oceanographer)

In addition to playing guitar in Brooklyn-based band Oceanographer, online student Kevin Plessner is a full-time recording engineer who works extensively with Pro Tools. "I needed a refresh," he says. "I needed to update myself on all the latest enhancements that were going on with the software."

He enrolled in Berkleemusic's Advanced Mixing & Mastering with Pro Tools, an online course authored and taught by production guru Dave Franz.

"I took the course because I didn't want to repeat myself over and over again. I play guitar, but I wanted to explore different instrumentation. This course allowed me to investigate all these different virtual instruments—drum machines, synths, samplers—and they're all working their way into production now."

Online Courses taken:

• Advanced Mixing & Mastering with Pro Tools
• Rock Guitar Soloing

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Amy Heidemann (Karmin)

When YouTube sensation Karmin—featuring Berkleemusic student Amy Heidemann—debuted their cover of Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now," they didn't expect to get over 38 million views (and counting!) in a little over three months.

The duo have since performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, at Lollapalooza, and have taken the stage with hip-hop legends The Roots.

"I actually learned guitar completely on the Internet, in Guitar Chords 101. I was also in a certificate program where I took music production and music business classes."

Online Courses taken: Master Music Business and Technology Certificate

• Desktop Music Production for Mac
• Rhythm and Groove Guitar
• Guitar Chords 101
• The Future of Music and the Music Business

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Niko Ellison (U.S. Air Force Band)

Ronicle "Niko" Ellison, a vocalist in the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, wanted to further his music education, but needed a flexible program to fit with his busy life on the road. He chose Berkleemusic because it's "head and shoulders above all the other online schools."

Niko chose to complete two online Certificate Programs—a Master Certificate in Music Business and a Master Certificate in Songwriting—in order to advance his music career. He's grateful for all he learned in these multi-course programs, especially the relationships he forged with his instructors.

"I received personal attention from every instructor that I had. They really listened and put in a lot of effort into helping me along my music career path."

Online Courses taken: Master Songwriting and Music Business Certificates

• Commercial Songwriting Techniques
• Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
• Songwriting: Melody
• Lyric Writing: Writing Lyrics to Music
• Songwriting: Harmony
• Lyric Writing: Writing From the Title
• Music Business 101
• Music Publishing 101
• Concert Touring
• Songwriting: Writing Hit Songs
• The Future of Music and the Music Business

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Mary Haller (Songwriter)

Online student Mary Haller recently completed a Master Certificate in Songwriting and, soon after, found success as the winner of the 2011 ole "Hitsville" contest in Nashville.

"I really credit my online courses and instructors with teaching me both the craft and business of songwriting. I've been thrilled with the instruction, online materials, and the opportunity to connect with songwriters all over the world."

Recently, her song, "Instead of Roses" was signed to a single-song contract with ole, one of the world's largest independent music publishers, after being named one of two winners of ole's "Hitsville" event in Nashville.

Courses taken: Master Songwriting Certificate

• Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
• Lyric Writing: Writing From the Title
• Lyric Writing: Writing Lyrics to Music
• Commercial Songwriting Techniques
• Songwriting: Melody
• Songwriting: Harmony
• Songwriting: Writing Hit Songs
• Music Publishing 101

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Ilya Mazayev (Recording Engineer)

After working as a research fellow in economics at a think tank in Russia, Ilya Mazeyev decided he wanted to shift into something more creative. After entering the world of music production at Berkleemusic two years ago, Ilya left his research position and is now running a studio in Moscow and working as a recording engineer.

"What I've gotten from Berkleemusic is the order and integrity that is necessary for me to succeed as a recording engineer."

Courses taken: Specialist Pro Tools Certificate

• Producing with Pro Tools
• Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools
• Advanced Mixing & Mastering with Pro Tools
• Critical Listening 1
• Music Production Analysis
• Music Business 101

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Lindsay Ell (Singer/Songwriter)

For Lindsay Ell, music became the passion of her life very early on. She started piano at the age of 6, and picked up the guitar at the age of 8. At just 10 years old, she started songwriting, and since then, she has worked with an illustrious list of musicians, including Randy Bachman (Guess Who/BTO), Buddy Guy, CJ Vanston (Spinal Tap/John Mayer), Russell Broom (Jann Arden), Bill Bell (Jason Mraz/Tom Cochrane), Chris Isaak, Shawn Mullins, Suzie McNeil, and Serena Ryder.

"Berkleemusic has helped me to challenge myself in many different ways, but particularly in my songwriting—making sure that the main message of a song is communicated loud and clear. These online courses have truly helped me focus my efforts as a musician and clarify the direction of my journey."

Courses taken: Master Songwriting and Guitar Certificate

• Classic Rock Guitar
• Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
• Commercial Songwriting Techniques
• Getting Your Guitar Sound
• Songwriting: Melody
• Songwriting: Writing Hit Songs
• Funk/Rock and R&B Guitar Soloing
• Songwriting: Harmony
• Lyric Writing: Writing Lyrics to Music

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com

Vanessa Rousso (DJ, Producer, Professional Poker Player)

Vanessa Rousso ranks among the top five women in poker history in terms of all-time money winnings, having a total of thirteen World Series of Poker in-the-money finishes. She's also an aspiring DJ, producer and songwriter.

"If I were to think about where I would ideally like to end up with music, it would probably be where I'm traveling around the world playing tournaments, and in addition to tournaments I'm doing DJ gigs and performing songs that I've written recently. If that was my life, I think I'd be as happy as possible."

Certificate Programs taken:

• Specialist Certificate in Sound Design using Reason
• Specialist Certificate in Producing Music with Logic
• Professional Certificate in Songwriting

Contact an Advisor:
1-866-BERKLEE (USA) or +1-617-747-2146 (INTL) or advisors@berkleemusic.com