Clint Valladares is a passionate and committed music executive, with the talent and drive to succeed. A native of Mumbai, Clint grew up surrounded by the vibrant and diverse music scene in that city, developing his music instincts in an environment full of inspiration and stimulation.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, he now serves as the senior managing director of Global Engagement for the Middle East and India at Berklee College of Music. Since joining Berklee as a staff member in 2009, Valladares built capacity within the Berklee City Music Network, a network of community organizations across the United States and Canada committed to delivering high-quality contemporary music instruction to youth from underserved communities, to create a richer consortium of like-minded organizations. He was instrumental in forming strategic partnerships with organizations and individuals dedicated to funding and sustaining music education programs. These partners include Billboard, Concord Music Group, Avid, the New York City Department of Education, and Quincy Jones, Chris Allen, Kirk Whalum, and George Clinton among many others.
In 2019, Clint played a critical role in building Berklee's presence in the Middle East. The Berklee Abu Dhabi Center opened in February 2020 as part of an initiative with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). It will be in the new cultural district on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island and be part of the Manarat al Saadiyat multi-purpose Arts Center. The mission of Berklee Abu Dhabi is to act as “a creative lighthouse for the broader Middle East” and to “activate the imagination, creative capacity and innovation skills of the young people of the Arab-speaking world using arts and technology as platforms for inspiration, collaboration, economic development, and peace.” The Center will offer non-credit-bearing educational experiences and public performances in the fields of music, music technology, dance, and theatre. The Center will offer fellowships for students to study at Berklee in Abu Dhabi and overseas.
BERKLEE INDIA EXCHANGE
In 2013, Valladares cofounded the Berklee India Exchange to establish a platform for cultural conversation through artist residencies and collaborations. He administers and manages artist relations and strategy, connecting the ongoing mission of the Berklee India Exchange with the progressive vision of Berklee's leadership. Clint is currently a strategic collaborator to build the iconic Berklee Abu Dhabi Center in the Middle East.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS
Prior to joining Berklee, Valladares was a key player in the launch of Music Talent of Boston, a booking agency for the American Federation of Musicians. As the organisation’s director, he recruited domestic and international artists. He worked closely with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, The Handel and Haydn Society, and negotiated contracts for both artists and music producers. Both as an artist’s representative and a talented keyboardist, Valladares has performed, recorded, and worked in the Bollywood space with renowned musicians and producers for more than a decade.
Additionally, Clint's access to young talented artists and long standing relationships between India and the West has positioned him as a bridge for innovation collaborations. Valladares holds bachelor’s degrees from St. Xavier’s College and Berklee, and an M.B.A. from Hult International Business School. He also attended Trinity College. His deep roots in India and the Middle East, understanding of the cultures, established relationships with influencers and prominent artists, labels and music conglomerates has enabled him to create win-win opportunities.