Berklee at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival

The Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira and Berklee College of Music announce that registration is now open for the third edition of the “Berklee at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival” program, which will take place from June 22 to 27, 2026, in Essaouira, ahead of the festival’s 27th edition.

This six-day immersive program is designed for professional and semi-professional musicians aged 18 and older, at various stages of their artistic careers, who wish to deepen their practice within a challenging context of intercultural dialogue. Open to instrumentalists and singers from classical, Gnaoua, or contemporary traditions—including jazz, pop, rock, and contemporary music—it offers an educational experience based on listening, experimentation, and collaboration.

Since the program’s inception in 2024, 118 established musicians from 30 countries have participated in Berklee at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival. Among them are 29 Moroccan musicians, alongside artists from several African countries, including the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Zambia, as well as from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. This significant growth between the first two editions reflects the program’s growing appeal and its ability to bring together talent from diverse musical scenes.

Under the academic direction of Leo Blanco, professor of piano and African music studies at Berklee, this new edition will focus on the theme “Listening with a Global Ear – Playing with a Global Concept.”

The faculty team will include, alongside Leo Blanco, Fernando Huergo (bass instructor), Nadia Washington (assistant professor of ear training), Jason Camelio (associate vice president of Berklee Global), and Bri Tagliaferro (associate director of international partnerships and programs).

The sessions will be conducted in English, with translation into Arabic and French to ensure broad accessibility.

“Essaouira is a unique place to have this experience. Participants don’t just study concepts—they put them into practice through interaction with the musicians and the energy of the Festival. Our goal is to help them authentically integrate these influences into their own artistic identity,” explains Leo Blanco.

The program will conclude with a closing concert. Selected participants will also have access to the concerts of the 27th edition of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival, which will take place from June 25 to 27, 2026.

Applications must be submitted online, along with three videos demonstrating the applicant’s musical skills.