Music has taken Sam Scarnavack from the familiar streets of Palos Heights to some of the biggest stages in the country.
The recent Berklee College of Music graduate and Palos Heights native recently performed as the bassist for singer-songwriter Nico Welsh at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, a major U.S. music festival that brought together artists and fans from across the country.
The opportunity came through Berklee’s Popular Music Institute, known as BPMI, an innovative program that gives students real-world experience preparing artists for major festival performances.
After years of practicing, performing and building his skills as a musician, Scarnavack said stepping onto the festival stage was an experience he will always remember.
“Being part of the Electro Western Experience was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Scarnavack said. “Playing alongside Nico and the guys made it especially meaningful. The festival treated the artists very well and was well organized. I feel incredibly lucky to have helped bring Minnesota Yacht Club’s first year to life.”
The journey to that stage began long before his time at Berklee. Growing up in Palos Heights, Scarnavack developed his passion for music while surrounded by a community that supported his creativity and ambition.
His latest accomplishment represents a major milestone in a career that continues to grow, but it also reflects the years of dedication that helped him reach this point.
BPMI is designed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry while preparing them for the demands of a professional performance career. Unlike a traditional one-semester course, the program follows a three-semester, full-year schedule that takes students from artist selection to festival performance.
During the fall semester, students select artists and form management teams. In the spring, they work on artist development, marketing, digital presence, budgets, merchandise, sponsorships and festival planning. During the summer and early fall, students rehearse with the artists, travel to festivals and handle responsibilities including production, promotion and tour management.
The experience provides musicians like Scarnavack with more than just a chance to perform. It gives them a deeper understanding of the preparation, teamwork and professionalism required to succeed in today’s music industry.
Sharing the stage with Nico Welsh at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival was a moment Scarnavack said he felt fortunate to be part of, especially as the event celebrated its first year.
While festival audiences may have discovered him as part of the Electro Western Experience, those back home in Palos Heights can celebrate seeing one of their own take his talent to a national stage.
With his Berklee education behind him and new opportunities ahead, Scarnavack is continuing to prove that big dreams can begin in small communities.