Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Boston Conservatory at Berklee is a performing arts conservatory offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance, theatre, and musical theatre. Founded in 1867 as the Boston Conservatory of Music, it merged with Berklee College of Music in 2016 to form a combined institution that spans both contemporary and classical performing arts. The Conservatory shares Berklee's Boston campus but operates its own admissions, faculty, and degree programs.

Programs

Boston Conservatory at Berklee offers degrees across three main divisions:

Music Division

• Bachelor of Music (MM): Performance degrees in orchestral instruments, piano, voice, and composition
• Master of Music (MM): Graduate performance degrees in all instrumental and vocal areas
• Graduate Performance Diploma (GPD): Non-degree advanced performance program
• Artist Diploma (AD): For performers at a pre-professional level seeking intensive training
• Professional Studies Certificate (PSC): Short-term advanced study program

The music division focuses on classical performance, opera, chamber music, and contemporary classical composition. Students have access to Berklee's recording studios and production facilities for cross-disciplinary projects.

Dance Division

• BFA in Dance: Contemporary dance, ballet, and improvisation with performance opportunities throughout the year
• MFA in Dance: Two-year graduate program for advanced dancers and choreographers

Theatre Division

• BFA in Musical Theatre: Triple-threat training in singing, acting, and dance
• BFA in Theatre: Acting and theatrical performance
• MFA in Musical Theatre: Two-year graduate program (note: the second year includes summer, fall, and spring semesters, making it more expensive than the first year)

Tuition and Costs (2026-2027)

For the 2026-2027 academic year, Berklee's Board of Trustees approved a 3% increase for the Conservatory:

• Undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees: $57,620 per year ($55,120 tuition + $2,500 fees)
• Graduate tuition and mandatory fees: Varies by program. MM and MFA programs are $57,620 per year. GPD, AD, and PSC programs are $35,880 per year ($33,380 tuition + $2,500 fees)
• On-campus housing with full meal plan: $21,300 per year
• Health insurance (waivable with proof of comparable coverage): $2,577 per year
• Total estimated cost of attendance (undergraduate, on-campus): $87,817 per year

The Conservatory's tuition is approximately $2,000 higher per year than Berklee College of Music's undergraduate tuition, reflecting the smaller class sizes and individualized instruction inherent to conservatory training.

Audition and Admission Process

Admission to Boston Conservatory at Berklee requires a live or recorded audition (or portfolio for composition applicants). The audition process is highly competitive, with acceptance rates typically below 30% across all divisions.

• Music applicants: Must prepare a classical audition repertoire specific to their instrument or voice type. Prescreening recordings may be required before a live audition is offered.
• Dance applicants: Must attend a live audition featuring ballet technique, contemporary technique, and improvisation. A solo performance may also be required.
• Theatre and musical theatre applicants: Must prepare monologues and songs, with musical theatre applicants also completing a dance call.

The Conservatory does not require SAT or ACT scores. Application deadlines typically fall in December for priority consideration.

Relationship with Berklee College of Music

Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Berklee College of Music are separate divisions within the same institution. Students at the Conservatory can take selected courses at Berklee College (and vice versa), particularly in music technology, production, and music business. Cross-enrollment allows classical performers to gain production skills and contemporary musicians to study classical technique. However, the two schools maintain separate admissions processes, degree requirements, and faculty.

Who Should Apply

Boston Conservatory at Berklee is the right choice for students seeking rigorous classical conservatory training in music, dance, or theatre at a professional level. The school is particularly strong for classical instrumentalists, opera singers, and musical theatre performers. If your goal is contemporary music (jazz, pop, rock, electronic), you should apply to Berklee College of Music instead. The combined institution lets students in both divisions access resources from the other, but the training philosophies and degree paths are distinct.

Related Resources

• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Estimate streaming revenue for classical recordings and performances
• Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Revenue strategies including classical performance income
• Berklee College of Music - Berklee's contemporary music division for comparison
• Music Scholarships Directory - Find scholarships to help fund conservatory education
• Boston Conservatory at Berklee Official Website - Current audition requirements, program details, and admission info