Michael Palma: jazz pianist, sound designer

To whom it may concern,

           My name is Michael Adam Palma and I am currently about to start my 6th semester at Berklee College of Music.  I am a Jazz pianist/composer/sound designer/producer from Dallas, Tx.  I have been playing professional gigs since 1998 in Texas, California, New York, and Japan among other places.  In 2004, I received a full 4 year scholarship from the Berklee College of Music.  In addition to that, I recieved a cash Scholarship from the Performance department for great achievement in the area of Jazz.  Since I have been here, I have decided to partake in the Professional Music Major.  In my first semester at Berklee I was asked to join the Scholarship Ensemble directed by faculty member Dave Santoro.  This ensemble I still am in today.  I have also been studying with Hal Crook in and out of school.  Wally's Jazz cafe, Bob the Chef's, As220 in Rhode Island, among other venues along the east coast, have been regular places that I have performed at since my move to Boston.  My mission here at Berklee is to expound upon my musical ideas and be exposed to influences that I could not be exposed to anywhere else.  The diversity here at Berklee is what I love most about this place.  I am a jazz pianist like I said, but I also am creative in the Pop music category as well as the Commercial/Jingle category.  I hope to maintain my own Jazz ensemble with my original compositions, get them recorded, and release them so that I can travel the world with the many talented friends I have made over the years.  My plan is to go to grad school at the New England Conservatory of Music where I wish to study with Jerry Bergonzi and pursue a Master's degree in Jazz Performance.  After this, I shall be New York bound in search of work playing Jazz and composing for artists who do not write their own music.  I appreciate your time and concern in the reviewing in the renewal of my scholarship.

Sincerely,

Michael Adam Palma