A singer, song-writer, piano and guitar player, Jeremy Berkun ’22 says he was always drawn to music. As he approaches college in the fall, music has become more than a hobby. His passion to create and perform have served as a conduit for connecting with others.
“I am an All State singer and play the guitar and piano, which I learned in tenth grade,” Jeremy explains. “I have always wanted to learn the saxophone. It has been a really cool experience playing music at Pine Crest. A lot of the shows and performances there have given me opportunities to grow and succeed.”
His love for music started when he reluctantly joined the chorus in fifth grade. Since then, Jeremy has also joined the jazz band, and even started to write his own music. Jeremy joined the jazz band in the middle of his junior year.
“The first day I stepped into jazz band was a really interesting shift for me,” Jeremy says. “I had never played jazz before. Exploring a different side of music helped my musicianship and has also given me more opportunities to perform.”
Jeremy Berkun ’22 (second on the left) at the 2019 FMEA All-State performance with Choral Director Mr. Michael Testa, Jade Klacko ’21, Adian Veghte ’21, and Chorus Instructor Mrs. Gretchen Fasulo.
Jeremy’s joy and talent for jazz earned him an invitation to join the jazz combo group, a newly created ensemble of eight musicians from the jazz band who learn more advanced music and have gigging opportunities outside of school.
“We had an incredible opportunity to record at a professional recording studio this year,” he says. “It was one of the coolest days of my life! A whole day spent creating and recording music was amazing.”
Jeremy has received numerous accolades and performance opportunities for singing and playing jazz. He has been selected as a Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) All State Singer for four consecutive years, singing in the All State Concert Choir. In 2020, he was selected as one of 15 students from the state of Florida to be in the National Association of Music Educators (NAfME) National Honor Mixed Chorus. This year, Jeremy was selected from a pool of young musicians around the country to the NAfME National Modern Band as a guitar soloist.
In April, Jeremy was the recipient of the Pine Crest Student Cultural Arts Series Award for excellence in vocal music. This prestigious award is given by the Founder’s Council, and celebrates all of the arts at Pine Crest.
“Winning the Student Cultural Arts Series Award for vocal music was surreal,” says Jeremy. “I waited until senior year to apply, and I am grateful to have received it. There is a lot of talent in my grade and so many were deserving of the award.”
Jeremy Berkun ’22 won the Student Cultural Arts Series Award for Excellence in Vocal Music
Unafraid of new experiences, Jeremy also decided to try his hand at acting this year as a senior, joining the cast of the Upper School musical. While he enjoyed the experience, music remains his main passion. By the time the spring semester rolled around, he was offered the chance to write original music for “Love/Sick,” the Upper School play.
“It was the first time I had written music for a piece of art that was not my own,” says Jeremy. “It was cool to have something to guide me and to contribute to something bigger than myself.”
As the son of two rabbis, Jeremy’s passion for music transcends performance. So much so, that when recalling one of his proudest moments, Jeremy explains that it happened while performing for his father’s congregation.
“I began to volunteer in eighth grade, singing and playing guitar at my father’s synagogue,” he says. “My dad was helping me gain more confidence by performing in front of a crowd. I would help lead with him, which I wasn’t always a fan of, but over time it changed my view on Judaism and what it means to be part of a supportive, positive community.”
Jeremy continues, saying “When COVID-19 hit in 2020, our Cantor was stuck in Argentina. My dad saw me messing around on the piano and asked me to fill the role. For the last two years, I have been the musical director at the synagogue. We had to shift to virtual services; my dad and I would perform in the empty synagogue for our livestreams, which was so strange. Over time, I began to see the significance of what I was doing. There was a shift from me not liking to volunteer every week because it occupied my Friday nights, to now understanding the benefits and the positivity in what I’ve been doing. COVID-19 has brought pain to so many people around the world, but it also brought me the opportunity to help people heal. That is something I am very grateful for and that I will miss.”
Outside of his formal music classes, Jeremy enjoyed music in his extra-curricular activities as well.
“I was the co-president of the Upper School Contemporary Music Program,” he says. “I am also part of the Music Club, which is supported by Mr. Mellone [Fine Arts Director]. It is a way for students to meet up, jam, and share our appreciation for music.”
Jeremy expands on his thoughts about the power of music, and offers encouragement for those who come after him.
“In the movie ‘Ratatouille,’ they say ‘everyone can cook,’” he says. “I think the same is true for music. Everyone can create and experience music for themselves. If I could say anything to someone at Pine Crest who is not involved in the arts, I would tell them to branch out and try something new. You never know the impact it will have on you until you put yourself out there.”
Reflecting on his years at Pine Crest, Jeremy says he will miss the small, inclusive environment.
“Coming from a public school, I didn’t enjoy it at first, but the feeling of knowing everyone—especially the fine arts students, has been meaningful for me,” said Jeremy. “The group has been supportive and encouraging of my pursuits. I see that in the most positive way, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of the Pine Crest community.”
Jeremy will be a freshman at The Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University this fall.
“My dream is to perform professionally, traveling the world and playing shows, or writing music for movies and TV. “Love/Sick” gave me a taste of that and it is a feeling I want to continue to chase,” he says. “I think the most exciting thing for me is that I can continue doing what I love. I knew wherever I ended up that music would be a part of my studies. As of now, I plan to major in voice, but I may switch to composition. I am hoping to take guitar and piano lessons under Bienen faculty as well. I am still pinching myself thinking just about it.”
