Latest news with #Berklee
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Singing her truth from India to Boston
At just 21, Indian-born, Boston-based singer-songwriter Asmi Aderay is already emerging as a bold new voice in indie-pop and R&B. Blending raw vulnerability with poetic flair,Asmi's music is an emotional tapestry woven from the threads of love, heartbreak, self-reflection, and empowerment. With each song, she connects deeply with her listeners—those navigating the chaotic beauty of romance and the struggle toward self-worth. Raised in Hyderabad with roots in Kolkata, Asmi's journey began in a household surrounded by music. 'Music has been around me for as long as I can remember,' she shares. 'It began in my household with my family's enthusiasm for different genres, blossomed in school bands, and eventually became my calling.' Now based in Boston, Asmi is honing her craft at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, majoring in Vocal Performance. Her time at Berklee has been pivotal. 'The Vocal Performance curriculum has taught me more about my voice than ever before—not just technically, but emotionally,' she says. Working under the mentorship of Grammy-nominated artist Debo Ray, Asmi has found a mentor who pushed her beyond technical excellence. 'Debo encouraged me to be fearless and to show up fully on stage. She really helped me discover my own distinct sound and presence.' Beyond vocal precision, Asmi has grown into a refined songwriter, using music as a means to translate both personal experiences and collective feelings. Her songwriting process is more catharsis than craft. 'I don't try to force it. I let the feeling build and churn before I pour it out onto the page. It's therapy. Vulnerability is my power, not my weakness,' she says. Her latest single 'Confess to Me' is a testament to that vulnerability. A soulful anthem exploring the agony of unspoken love, the song has resonated with listeners across platforms like YouTube and Spotify. 'It's about being in love with someone who simply can't say it, and the emotional hurricane that creates—hope, anger, yearning. I wanted it to be a plea, a challenge, and a declaration all at once.' Live performance is where Asmi comes alive. From her first electrifying school band performance in Hyderabad—broadcast on national TV—to intimate club sets in Boston, she's felt the power of music to forge connection. 'There's a palpable energy in the room. Watching people respond to my lyrics, that's when it really hit me—this is my purpose.' In addition to singing and writing, Asmi is also passionate about visual storytelling, movies, and literature. She stays connected with her audience through behind-the-scenes content and candid glimpses into her creative process. 'Staying connected with my audience really matters to me. It's not just about the finished song—it's about the journey, the moments in between.' While Asmi is currently building her presence in the U.S., she remains deeply tied to her Indian roots. 'I absolutely see myself as a global artist. I'm inspired by the vibrant indie and R&B-pop scene in India. Whether it's a studio in Mumbai or a stage in New York, I just want to keep making music that connects.' Fans in India have reason to be excited—Asmi plans to sing and write in Hindi in the near future. 'Although English is the language I naturally write in, Hindi is a significant part of my musical heritage. I've trained in Hindustani classical music, and there's so much richness in Hindi lyrics. I'd love to explore that in a way that still feels true to my style.' With her debut single 'Thought of Being in Love' and follow-ups like 'Met Me First' and 'My Version of You', Asmi has already carved out a space for herself. And she's only just getting started. 2025 holds promise of more original releases, cover projects, and live performances aimed at expanding her global reach. Ultimately, Asmi Aderay's music is about more than heartbreak or romance—it's about community and courage. 'If someone listens to my song and says, 'That's exactly how I feel,' then it's all worth it. That connection is the whole thing. That's why I write. That's why I sing.'
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Indian Express
Zayed National Museum to open in December 2025
Spanning a collection that dates back more than 3,00,00 years, Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will open its doors in Abu Dhabi in December 2025. Named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, widely regarded as the founding father of the UAE, the museum is at the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District that is also home to other prestigious institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abrahamic Family House and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum's architectural blueprint, unveiled in 2010, revealed how its five towering steel structures are inspired by the wings of a falcon in flight. It is notable that falconry has been an integral part of Emirati culture for centuries. The latticed towers are also intended to act as thermal chimneys that will draw cool air into the spaces below. Speaking about the museum in a statement issued, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, stated, 'It is a tribute to his boundless belief in people, in their ability to learn, to uphold the values of unity, compassion and national pride. This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision. This institution will carry our story forward for generations to come.' Apart from a temporary exhibition gallery, the museum will also boast six permanent galleries spread across two floors. The display will include artefacts from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age. The highlights include one of the world's oldest natural pearls that dates back 8,000 years, and the Blue Qur'an, one of Islamic art's finest manuscripts with Kufic calligraphy. In addition, a Bronze age Magan Boat has been recreated by Zayed University in partnership with New York University, Abu Dhabi. With the Middle East emerging as one of the most closely watched regions with regard to a growing market and push for art, the Saadiyat Cultural District will also soon see the opening of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 'The cultural legacy of the UAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest cultural institutions to today's expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. Saadiyat Cultural District represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future,' added Al Mubarak.
Boston Globe
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Someday, I can make it.' Award-winning musicians inspire high-school artists at music camp in Randolph.
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Inside as she waited for the program to start Tuesday morning. Julien, 18, of Holbrook, 'dabble[s] in everything,' including guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Advertisement 'Being here, being able to actually work with actual producers and just doing the stuff I love, that's fire,' Julien said. Jordyn Julien, 18, center, sings with Maliyah Silveira, 16, left, as they write song lyrics during the Covered by Music program. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff The camp was founded by Kirjuan Freeman, Keithen Foster, and New England 'The R.E.A.L. program has to be real, and it can't be more real than being in the community,' said Freeman, 39. 'We understand the impact of providing transformational results in our community.' Advertisement the challenges of starting a music career in Boston. They lived together in Randolph in their early 20s around 2009, making music for their band, Elevation Theory, and playing some of their first gigs at 'We have worked with some of the biggest and the brightest stars, but it all stemmed in our brotherhood coming out of Boston,' Freeman said. 'We were just kids living together, 19 Upham Street, running up $3,000 power bills.' Elevation Theory later toured with Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block and Nick Carter from Backstreet Boys. Freeman now works on the management side of the industry. Foster, 35, who attended Berklee on a full scholarship, finished a tour as the bassist with Usher just before returning to Randolph. He participated on H.E.R.'s Grammy-winning album, producing two songs. The pair are hoping to inspire future generations of Boston musicians and shine a light on the 'creativity economy' in the city, which is not seen as a musical hub on the level of Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York. 'We're number one for sports, we're number one for education, we're number one for medicine, why not be number one for everything music?,' Foster asked. Kirjuan Freeman, center, talks to a student during the Covered by Music program on July 8. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff The pair are backing Malachi J. Lewis to start putting their vision into practice. Advertisement Lewis, whose stage name is MJL, is the program's first success story from last year. Lewis, 24, attended Berklee on a scholarship and met Foster and Freeman his junior year. He went to last year's camp as both a student and mentor. 'What these guys … have been able to do has been so inspiring,' Lewis said. 'Because of Free and Keithen, I was able to be part of events that I dreamed of being in.' With the help of Freeman and Foster, Lewis played the drums on " This year, the camp is focusing on live performance with the catchphrase 'from the studio to the stage,' Freeman said. Students from 14 to 21 Ten students affiliated with organizations, churches, and community centers in the Boston area, including Randolph, Holbrook, and Weymouth, are attending the camp. All have some level of musical experience, whether instruments or singing, Freeman said. Last year, 15 students, some of whom were part of the In the studio at the church, heads bobbed in unison, bodies swayed, and fingers tapped. The small space pulsed with the smooth sound of bass and string instruments, coupled with a steady drumbeat in the background. Advertisement Joshua Jackson, a.k.a. Leo the Kind, creates a beat on his computer as he teaches during the Covered by Music program. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Joshua Jackson, a local producer from Dorchester known as 'Just know that this industry doesn't owe you anything,' Jones told the young musicians as they watched. 'You got to work for everything.' Freeman said the camp also seeks to give the teenagers real-world advice about the music industry, such as pointing out jobs that are less widely known, like making songs for TV shows or commercials. Patriots player Marcus Jones (second from right) chats with a student during the Covered by Music program. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Happy with his initial set, Jackson, who also teaches at Boston Arts Academy, said 'that's dope.' 'Wooooweeee,' Lewis said, shaking his head in delight. 'Blow them away,' Maliyah Silveira, 16, of Boston added, putting her hands up. 'I already have the song written,' said Bello, the local musician, nodding along and moving her hand in time with the music. Joshua Jackson plays the keyboard with one hand while creating a beat with the other on his computer. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff The nerves the teenagers started the day with faded away with the music. Silveira, a songwriter, and Julien, the Holbrook teenager, asked Jackson to try the beat with less drums. How about with more string, Julien asked, joined quickly by Aryana Seeramsingh, 17, a guitar and saxophone player from Randolph. 'I was just going to say that!,' she said. Advertisement Julian Sernandes, 16, from Randolph, enjoyed the vibe and listened attentively. 'It gives me courage that someday I can make it,' said Sernandes, who plays percussion instruments and the guitar. Ava Berger can be reached at
Boston Globe
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Live music while waiting for your luggage at Logan? Pass the Advil, please.
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Everyone enjoys live music, and if we can make the experience of waiting for your luggage a little better, that's a win,' Massport CEO Rich Davey said at a press conference announcing the new program. Advertisement Let me add a quick disclaimer to Davey's statement. Not everyone enjoys live music, especially if they've just gotten off a flight and want to get their suitcase and hightail it out of Logan with minimal obstacles. For some folks, the noise of the passengers and the carousel announcements is too much already. I have the utmost respect for musicians, but that respect erodes when I'm trying to listen to a podcast or catch up on reading, and a subway busker is drumming like it's opening night at 'Stomp.' The worst audience to be a part of is a captive audience. Advertisement I applaud the intention behind The airport experience is already stressful, no matter which airport you're talking about. When passengers arrive, there's the stress of transport, check-in, security, and making it to the gate on time. Once they land, there are new obstacles, such as 'Will my suitcase be here?' and 'Which major highways are closed this weekend?' Now, we'll have 'I hope I packed my earplugs in case that Berklee jazz-fusion harpsichordist is playing at the baggage carousel.' If I were a more glib and uncaring person, I would suggest that the musicians perform on the tarmac to inspire the luggage handlers to move faster. Perhaps the musicians could even help out the baggage handlers with some of the labor. Getting luggage faster rather than listening to music while waiting for it would truly enhance the passenger experience. My advice for the powers that be at Logan is that instead of adding sounds — no matter what they are — to the airport, they should try to eliminate them. A campaign to get people to use headphones or take calls off speakerphones would certainly help enhance the passenger experience. If passengers are looking for music, let them pop in their earbuds and enjoy a song of their choosing. Advertisement Christopher Muther can be reached at
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Aditi Iyer releases powerful new song, ‘Under the Roses'
'Under the Roses felt satisfyingly sinister, like something bad was about to happen.' That is how 20-year-old singer-songwriter Aditi Iyer describes the emotional undercurrent of her latest track. Inspired by the Latin phrase sub rosa, meaning 'something secretive under the surface', the song captures a perfect façade. 'We all feel ashamed of ourselves sometimes,' she says. 'We all may feel these emotions when we admit truths about ourselves we do not like.' With 'Under the Roses', Aditi composed an entire track on her own for the first time and shattered long-held insecurities about her abilities. 'In the past, I needed help or guidance to compose,' she admits. 'But I had just taken this amazing songwriting class at Berklee that opened my mind and made me feel more confident as a musician.' Aditi began composing at 10 and released her debut four-track EP Dollhouse at 17, before enrolling at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, to refine her craft. The confidence she gained there made her write more fearlessly, she shares. 'I would have never included a swear word before. I was guilty of trying to be a 'perfect' artiste and person when I am not.' The track, produced with Los Angeles-based songwriter and producer Ryan Benyo, takes on a dramatic, orchestral quality with strings and cinematic elements — a musical shift indicating her growing interest in film scores and storytelling. Over the years, Aditi has grown as a songwriter and a singer. Dollhouse focused on love and relationships — topics she felt expected to write about, even if they did not always reflect her experiences. With 'The Queen', she began exploring emotions such as anxiety and self-doubt, and by the time she wrote 'Under the Roses', she felt more comfortable expressing those feelings in her lyrics and music. Vocally, too, she has come a long way — gaining better technique, more control, and a stronger sound. 'Under the Roses is my most honest and confident work yet.' Entering her senior year at Berklee College of Music, Aditi credits the college with transforming her songwriting and stage presence. 'Earlier, I felt awkward on stage; like I could trust my voice to be emotive but not my face or body,' she says. Now, she finds performance liberating. 'I feel I can connect on a deeper level to the messages of the songs I am singing.' Balancing opera and pop While Aditi continues as a pop artiste, opera remains a personal and permanent part of her musical identity. Trained in Western classical music, she credits much of her vocal foundation to her teacher, the late Situ Singh Buehler, whose recent passing she is still coming to terms with. 'She taught me everything I know,' says Aditi, who is committed to carrying forward her legacy. Aditi is also excited about exploring new genres. At Berklee, she recently discovered a love for musical theatre — a style already influencing her songwriting, with tracks like 'Some Call It Jealousy' and 'Under the Roses' drawing comparisons to stage ballads. Rock 'n' roll, too, is on her radar. 'It makes me feel so alive,' she says, eager to experiment with its raw energy and attitude. When asked what she hopes her music stands for, Aditi says, 'I hope people feel deeply when they hear it, whether it makes them laugh, cry, or dance. I want my music to be an emotional pocket where people can be the version of themselves they want to be.' She adds, 'I believe music should be sincere rather than blindly formulaic. You should be able to tell the artiste had honest intent behind it, whether lighthearted or serious. I hope my music can be remembered like that.'
