
Student Spotlight: Sim n Mart nez The pianist and professional music major talks about his musical journey from Ecuador to Berklee, learning to be less competitive, and finding inspiration in cozy environments.
By
Editorial Staff
April 3, 2023
Image by Elizabeth Friar (@elizabethfriarphoto)
What's it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience-what they're learning in class, what kinds of projects they're involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they're listening to. This week, get to know Sim n Mart nez, a fourth-semester pianist and professional music major from Quito, Ecuador.
Follow Sim n on Instagram.
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here? I started studying music from an early age, and getting into Berklee was always one of my biggest goals since I found out about its existence. In my adolescence I started preparing to audition, and I always tried to have a close relationship with the school. At 16, I had the opportunity to participate with a scholarship in the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive program. From that moment on, I fell in love with Berklee, and I was even more motivated to follow my dream. When I graduated from high school I won a scholarship to study at the Berklee Global Partner in Ecuador USFQ. After two and a half years, I finally fulfilled my dream of transferring to Berklee College of Music, thanks to [a scholarship from] the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.
Whats been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you? My favorite class so far has been Big Band Arranging and Score Analysis with Winnie Dahlgreen. I learned to listen to any big band arrangement and have a mental idea of what is going on regarding voicings, orchestration, composition techniques, and structure. It is the class that made me lose my fear of seeing a score with more than 10 instruments and not losing my mind. I felt like I was delving into the secrets of the greatest jazz arrangers, and, most importantly, I wrote arrangements that I am very proud of.
Play, write, create, and dont let anyone take away the light you carry within.
- Sim n Mart nez
Whats a project youve worked on since coming to Berklee that youve been especially excited about? Im constantly working on the artist I want to be. In every small or big experience related to music, especially studying at Berklee, I try to learn anything that helps me figure out what kind of artist I want to be in the future. How does this influence my artistry? Is this what I want to do professionally? How does it make me grow as a musician and person? Ive always had the uncertainty of what exactly Im going to do after graduating. Im a performer, composer, arranger, and singer-songwriter, and Im looking to understand how my talents will help me fit into the music industry. That is my biggest project at [Berklee], and fortunately its going well.
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class? Typically, the environments that inspire me are cozy, where I can be alone. My room is always the first option, but sitting in front of a piano in a practice room doesnt fail either. When nothing is working, I need to walk. I love going to the park near my house, Fenway Victory Gardens, or to the docks near the Charles River. Looking and listening to water helps me to create good vibes, however insignificant it may seem. After a good walk, I come home full of ideas.
When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most? Im greatly inspired by the people around me in this school: teachers, students, and alumni. Getting to know their stories and how they got to where they are fills me with energy. I used to be a very competitive person. When I first came to the Five-Week program, I compared myself a lot with the rest of the pianists. I didnt feel worthy because I wasnt at the same level as them. From that experience, I learned that I shouldnt see others as competition, but as inspiration. When I arrived at Berklee, I surrounded myself with all the people I admire musically; that way, I learn from them and grow as a musician and a person.
Whats one piece of advice youd give to your high school self? Keep doing what you are doing! Youre on the right track and every step counts towards achieving your dreams. Believe in yourself because you can do whatever you set your mind to. Learn from each mistake and dont punish yourself for them; youre human and you are still growing. Play, write, create, and dont let anyone take away the light you carry within.
Sim n's Top Five Favorite Songs Right Now We asked Sim n to share five of his recent favorite songs. Heres what he said:
1. So ando con Quito, Alex Alvear This song takes me back to my home city, Quito. It is one of the most beautiful pasillos I have ever heard.
2. Isn't It Romantic? Bill Evans Bill always gives me chills. This guy is the reason I started playing jazz piano.
3. Una Tarde Cualquiera En Paris (to Bebo Valdes), Harold L pez-Nussa This is the song I transcribed and played for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship. I will always have it in my heart.
4. Sabr s, Herencia de Timbiqu And even though Im going deaf, and even though Im going blind, and even though Im going dumb, Ill let you know that I love you.
5. Soledad y el Mar, Natalia Lafourcade (ft. Los Macorinos) Natalia is on another level. I could close my eyes and listen to her voice and her lyrics for hours.
Related Categories
News
Student Spotlight
Most Popular
Berklee President Erica Muhl
Image by Kelly Davidson
Berklee to Hold Inauguration of President Erica Muhl in April Muhl is the fourth-and first female-president of Berklee.
Latest
Image by Giancarlo Belfiore
Applications Open for 2023
Most recent headlines
13/03/2025
Every time airborne law enforcement (ALE) teams fly, they expect their equipment to perform. Whether airborne units are conducting support for ground teams, bor...
13/03/2025
Sunday February 9 saw the annual return of the US' biggest television event, the Super Bowl LIX. Jamie McCombs, Fox Sports Audio Consultant / Sr. Audio capt...
13/03/2025
On Sunday March 2, stars across the film industry gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 97th Academy Awards. Production Sound Mixer Paul Sandweis...
13/03/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications will feature its new StageLink family of smart edge devices, Smart Audio and Mixing Engine (SAME) and Virtual Smart Pan...
13/03/2025
TAG Video Systems and Harmonic Partner to Deliver Enhanced Real-Time Monitoring ...
13/03/2025
DigitalGlue Invites NAB Visitors to Experience New Features in Managed Storage P...
13/03/2025
FOR-A America Theme - Connecting the Present, Building the Future - Comes to Lif...
13/03/2025
CTIA, the wireless industry association, has named former FCC Chairman Aji Pai as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. He replaces Mere...
13/03/2025
he National Association of Broadcasters is urging the FCC to end its investigation of that controversial CBS interview with Kamala Harris stating there is no ...
13/03/2025
MIAMI CBS News & Stations continues to expand its use of augmented and virtual reality technologies with the planned launch of an augmented reality/virtual real...
13/03/2025
Srividhya Srinivasan, co-founder and chief customer success & innovation Officer at Amagi, tells TVBEurope how staying ahead of the latest trends is essential f...
13/03/2025
WASHINGTON FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency has launched a massive, new deregulatory initiative that could potentially subject virtually all ...
13/03/2025
SUNNYVALE, Calif. SDVI has announced that it has integrated its Rally media supply chain management platform with the Spectra Vail multi-cloud data management s...
13/03/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver of its local ownership rules to permit Gray Media to acqu...
13/03/2025
TV Tech: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
13/03/2025
Watch Student Naomi Soleils Folk Pop Performance on The Voice The songwriting major sang Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals during the blind auditions.
...
13/03/2025
We asked the questions, analysed the answers and now we're excited to share the results of the fifth edition of the ICG Marketing Survey.
Our 2025 survey p...
13/03/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 13, 2025 Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced a breakthrough in video streaming innovation with the launch of new origin capabilitie...
13/03/2025
Haivision Showcases Mission-Critical Video Solutions at SOF Week 2025
Haivision's video wall systems, ISR technology, and DoDIN APL-certified video distri...
13/03/2025
Company Leads the Way with New Software-Based Production Platform, 12G Switcher,...
13/03/2025
A new Apple Immersive concert experience, Metallica, is coming to Apple Vision Pro this Friday, March 14. Filmed in Mexico City during the sold-out second-year ...
13/03/2025
Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!
Shake your Shamrocks, Patrick Kielty will be...
13/03/2025
This St. Patrick's weekend, RT invites you to celebrate all things Irish, showcasing the very best of Irish sport, entertainment and live coverage from the...
13/03/2025
What's next in AI is at GTC 2025. Not only the technology, but the people and ideas that are pushing AI forward - creating new opportunities, novel solution...
13/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
By combining T-Mobile's robust network, Thal...
13/03/2025
Bundle up - GeForce NOW is bringing a flurry of Blizzard titles to its ever-expanding library.
Prepare to weather epic gameplay in the cloud, tackling the genr...
13/03/2025
AI is leveling up the world's most beloved games, as the latest advancements...
13/03/2025
PC game modding is massive, with over 5 billion mods downloaded annually. Mods p...
12/03/2025
O Spotify acaba de lan ar o relat rio Loud & Clear deste ano, uma vis o transpar...
12/03/2025
Spotify acaba de presentar el informe Loud & Clear de este a o, una mirada trans...
12/03/2025
Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience thi...
12/03/2025
Spotify has just unveiled this year's Loud & Clear report, a transparent loo...
12/03/2025
More than 70% of FAST programming has been produced since 2010, according to new Gracenote report
NEW YORK March 12, 2025 Gracenote, the content data busin...
12/03/2025
GEONA, Nev. Independent digital and linear advertising rep firm Viamedia will adopt cloud-based ShowSeeker Pilot as its primary ad campaign and order management...
12/03/2025
BRUSSELS Mediagenix has announced that Wael Yasin has joined the company as sales director Central Europe....
12/03/2025
LONDON A new study highlights opportunities for shoppable TV and the massive impact online consumer spending is having on the economy, with Omdia predicting tha...
12/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. Interra Systems has announced that Comcast Technology Solutions has integrated recent updates to BATON Version 9 into its operations....
12/03/2025
Nevion announces new 400G addition to its eMerge SDN media fabric offering
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
High-capacity switch enhances existi...
12/03/2025
DaVinci Resolve Studio Delivers Cinematic Sound for Adam Bol
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
Feature film relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio for ...
12/03/2025
SVT Leverages Ateliere Live to Pioneer 100% Software-Defined Production at Rally...
12/03/2025
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Four Organizations A total of $17,000 will be distributed among the Boston-based nonprofits.
By
Madd...
12/03/2025
TVBEuropes Jenny Priestley sits down with new SMPTE president Richard Welsh to discuss his aims for the organisation going forward, its efforts to attract a you...
12/03/2025
The new process has significantly enhanced operational efficiencies, with automation freeing up creators to concentrate on higher value tasks
By Matthew Corrig...
12/03/2025
Jellyfish Pictures, which has offices in London and Sheffield, said it has been battling hard in the face of strong headwinds over the last 12 months
By Jenny ...
12/03/2025
Visit Booth #W2213 to Experience the Latest in AI-Driven Content Discovery and Workflow Automation
Bitcentral, a leader in media workflow solutions, is set to ...
12/03/2025
CHICAGO Jeff Lilly has been named WGN-TV director of technology effective March 17, 2025, according to Ric Harris, WGN-TV vice president and general manager....
12/03/2025
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. A new study from LG Ad Solutions indicates that consumers want more features that would allow them to shop for products on the connected T...
12/03/2025
BOTHELL, Wash. The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and the Video Services Forum (VSF) will once again present...
12/03/2025
PHILADELPHIA Comcast announced that it has upgraded Xfinity Internet speeds for more than 20 million customers for no additional cost....
12/03/2025
Create with Maxon: Cinema 4D Fundamentals Workshop - March 12-14
Brie Clayton March 11, 2025
0 Comments
Makin' Waffles with Elly Wade
During Marc...