Liz Müller
Pronouns Used: She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Hamburg, Germany
Principal Instrument: Piano
Majors: Contemporary Writing and Production and Music Business/Management
Languages Spoken (other than English): German
Describe your favorite Berklee experience so far.
My favorite Berklee experience so far was being one of the arrangers for a Signature Series BPC concert this past spring. Back then I had experienced the majority of my time at Berklee online due to COVID-19, so despite having arranged projects before then, this was the first time I was a real life, in-person part of the implementation of my arrangement. Conducting a room full of incredibly talented musicians to make my vision come alive... I am forever grateful for the opportunity, and will keep getting involved with every single one of these incredible chances for self-realization Berklee provides!
When you think about your favorite class so far, what is one example of why you enjoyed it?
This was, in fact, a remote class that I had in my very first semester. Being remote, in different time zones, and not knowing anyone, everything felt kind of weird at first, but the professor did an incredible job at creating a warm, almost family-like, yet professional community in the (virtual) classroom, which led me to even find some of my closest friends to date, from what initially felt like an awkward "what-am-I-doing-here" type of encounter. Luckily, the remote times lay behind us, and yet, in person, professors have had an immensely positive impact on not just of course my understanding and motivation to learn, but also on how I view myself and deal with all sorts of emotional and mental situations that one might be put into, living the Berklee life.
What is your favorite part about studying and living in Boston?
Personally, I have never lived in a place where literally all my favorite artists play on their tours. Several times in the past I had to travel to see the musicians that inspire me most live, but Boston seems to be one of the main destinations on the East Coast for artists to come and play. If this is not a huge plus, then I don't know what would be!
Besides this, I've come to experience that, if you want to keep to yourself and surround yourself with musicians at Berklee, the Berklee community is super strong, but if you want to burst out a little, it is so easy to get to know people in their 20s in Boston because of all the colleges here! This also keeps me balanced, creating a part of my social life a little away from music, and it brings me lots of inspiration to come back to music with.
But, just like with anything, in the end it comes down to what you make of this place!
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone applying to Berklee College of Music or Boston Conservatory at Berklee?
This place is magical and if you give yourself to it, you are going to get so much out of it. Just like mentioned above, it comes down to what you make of it, though. If you come to Berklee, expecting to become a star, odds are that maybe something works out for you. But if you come to Berklee, prepared to commit yourself to not take the opportunities you are given for granted and to find and build yourself bit by bit through all the magic and cultures and opportunity you are exposed to here, there is no better place than Berklee to make you grasp the extent and form of your potential and give you the tools and guidance to shape it to exactly what you want to be.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
I quite love the 150 lobby. I work well when there is a little something going on around me, and to have a break every now and then, because there will be someone walking past that you know every couple of minutes (Pomodoro Technique—Berklee 150 lobby style). Similarly, but a bit more quiet and smaller—while also a bit greener and what feels like more outside—I really like spending my time in the 7 Haviland entrance or the green area outside. Not to forget though, coffees at Tatte and blueberry muffins at Pavement on Boylston will save any bad day!
Why did you choose Berklee?
In the decision to apply, the other colleges I applied to had reputations, too. Hence, Berklee's alumni and the wide course catalog were the two main factors that led me to apply to Berklee in the first place. After receiving my offers, I started comparing locations, internationality rates, and student satisfaction statistics. I reached out to students at all colleges that I had applied to via Instagram. Berklee's stats were off the charts compared to anywhere I looked. I've lived in international schools and surroundings for close to eight years, and am so happy that now, the internationality rate at Berklee is a huge factor of making me feel like home! The fact that it is a very young city, plus students rhapsodizing about the college, made it impossible not to choose Berklee!
What are your plans for after graduation?
I am planning to become a freelance/project based music director while working a part-time job at a (preferably independent) record label. Simultaneously I am planning to continue my involvement in artist management so far, and take on new artists as well. Surely, I will take on gigs as a pianist or vocalist every once in a while when the opportunity arises, too. Dual majoring prepares me perfectly for all of these visions, and I am glad that the nature of these jobs— flexible, often project-based—would allow for me to combine more than just one aspect of the spectrum of jobs that I can see myself going into, and of the things that I love doing.
What have you enjoyed most about the live shows you’ve been involved in at Berklee?
Dress/tech rehearsals of BPC shows always blow my mind! It is usually the first time one gets to see all other performances of the show, and dancers as well.
At the same time, as part of the A&R Club, we have organized several A&R showcases, which were much much smaller live shows, usually featuring short acoustic sets of several artists at Berklee. These have been some of the most intimate and emotional shows I have seen—how the artists and audience are so close and every lyric and every note feels very personal and real. I am very grateful to have caught those shows, and definitely recommend that you look out for them when you come!
Where do you hope to perform this coming year?
As a music director or arranger, what I've been doing so far has happened mainly behind stage. I have just taken on an opportunity on keys and on BGVs for the next couple of months. While performing will be a lot of fun, what happens behind the stage/in preparation for the gig is more my focus. I am definitely going to apply for more BPC shows and other opportunities that arise. This coming year, I am hoping to apply as an arranger for the graduation concert in Agganis Arena. That would be huge!
Your social media channel/web URL?
Instagram: @itslizmller
Linktree: Liz Miller LinkTree