Paradise Valley Community College music student Patrick Cassidy has been awarded a full-ride scholarship worth $220,000 to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. beginning in Fall 2025 – a dream come true for a student who once thought a career in music might be out of reach.
Cassidy’s musical journey at PVCC began in Spring 2024, after taking a few general education classes as a part-time student at Phoenix College. He was introduced to PVCC through our partnership with the Phoenix Conservatory of Music and was immediately impressed.
“Before I joined PVCC I saw their semesterly fundraiser concert and saw how amazing many of the musicians were, as well as seeing the jazz program and thinking, ‘Oh, this is a professional program,’” Cassidy recalled, adding, “When I went to reach out, the faculty were very helpful in meeting my financial need.”
“I couldn’t be happier for Patrick,” said Dr. Chris Scinto, director of PVCC’s Fine and Performing Arts division. “He has worked incredibly hard, and this full-ride to Berklee is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the passion he brings to everything he does. From day one, he stood out not just as a gifted musician, but as someone truly eager to learn and grow. Watching his journey unfold at PVCC has been a joy, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things he’ll do next. He’s earned every bit of this.”
Since enrolling, Cassidy has immersed himself in PVCC’s dynamic music program—performing in student jazz and rock ensembles, and even playing alongside faculty in the faculty rock band. Though he initially joined PVCC to take music classes for transfer credits and to build his skills, he quickly found a community that nurtured both his talent and confidence.
“The faculty really want you to succeed. At any time, I could’ve asked anyone about any problem or musical question I had, and they would sit down and help me with it—or point me towards someone who could.”
In addition to his hard work and talent, Cassidy has received several scholarships and music talent waivers, including the newly awarded Rotary Club of Paradise Valley Scholarship, helping him stay focused on what matters most: his growth as a musician.
At Berklee, Cassidy plans to sharpen his skills, expand his creative network, and launch a sustainable career in music.
“The appeal of music college is not just improving my skill, but meeting people who can actually help me find work in music,” said the talented guitarist. “My dream is to make a living doing what I love—touring with an artist or band playing guitar. When I was in high school, I thought, ‘I really love music—guess I gotta be homeless and poor for the rest of my life.’ That’s what I was told about musicians. But that’s not remotely true. Now, I see the possibilities.”
Berklee College of Music is one of the most prestigious and well-known music colleges in the world, especially renowned for contemporary music education. Unlike many traditional conservatories that emphasize classical training, Berklee focuses on contemporary music styles—jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, and world music. This makes it especially appealing to students who want to pursue modern music careers. The highly competitive college is famous for producing some of the most successful and influential musicians, composers, producers, and music industry professionals across genres—particularly in jazz, rock, pop, and film scoring. They include John Mayer, Quincy Jones, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Satriani, and Annie Clark.