Work It! Leading Maltese Singer Graduates From Berklee College With Superstars Justin Timberlake And Missy Elliot
One of Malta’s leading metal vocalists recently graduated from one of the most acclaimed music schools around – and her peers are some of the biggest names in global pop music.
“I couldn’t believe it – not only was I graduating at Berklee but I was graduating with Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliot! They gave emotional speeches and performances for all the graduating class of 2019,” Mikaela told Lovin Malta.
The singer and recent LMA winner attended the Berklee College of Music on campus in Boston, Massachusetts, where she undertook the Vocal Performance course a few years ago – but she wanted to continue her musical studies at one of the best music institutions worldwide.
“I auditioned once again with Berklee and was accepted within their 30% acceptance rate to study with them again,” she continued. “This time I wanted to continue with Music Production. It is a world I love and I feel it continued to strengthen my musicianship also as an artist, songwriting skills and broadened my creative horizons, not to mention the intricate study and depth of technicality in the craft that it involved.”
After four years of study, she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music Production with A honours, Summa Cum Laude, and the degree was also partially funded by Malta Arts Scholarships.
Mikaela’s family travelled to the US to attend the spectacular graduation event.
“The experience was otherworldly all throughout,” she said, “the college even acknowledged my touring schedules and achievements, my projects and featured me on the official Berklee sites too.”
During the ceremony, both Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott took the stage and spoke to the assembled crowd to share some inspiring words.
“Justin Timberlake said that when he was young he felt like a weirdo, he felt like he ‘didn’t belong’ and then he continued, ‘I look around this room, and I feel like, I found all the rest of the weirdos, we’re all here!'” she recounted.
Still shining from graduation, Mikaela is just excited to share some new music with us.
“I am so grateful that I was chosen to study at the school, after a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, getting lucky after an aggravated theft and attempted murder event, all the stress, deadlines, studying on tour in between what happens on tour, studying and submitting assignments on the tour bus, at random cafes, at the venues, crazy!” she said breathlessly.
“But I’m so happy that I managed to score A and to top all of that to graduate with such massive names I never imagined I would! I’m definitely so excited and thrilled as ever with what my musical future holds to share with you all!”
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