Jennifer Caraluzzi (Photo credit: Michael Kushner Photography)

Western Connecticut State University is known among musicians, actors and artists as an institution that offers a conservatory-level education at the cost of a public university. Jennifer Caraluzzi, a 2009 graduate from WestConn’s Department of Music in the School of Visual,  Performing and Communication Arts, should know: she’s currently the Director of Academic Operations and Academic Success at the Berklee School of Music’s New York City campus.

As a Bethel High School graduate in 2005, Caraluzzi knew she wanted to pursue music as a performer and singer. “WestConn had a great program,” she said. “I got into other schools, but decided to stay local and it was one of the best decisions I made.”

Caraluzzi continued, “WestConn’s price compared to the other music schools is so much better. It was such a foundational place for me, and you can get into so many things with the support of the professors in your major. There are a multitude of opportunities.”

After graduating from WestConn with a Bachelor of Music in Performance-Voice, Caraluzzi started teaching for New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School and working as a program coordinator for the School of Continuing Education. Over the last three years, she has sung as a soprano in an Octet with the Boston Pops as part of their holiday shows. She joined Actor’s Equity shortly after performing with the Boston Pops in “Ragtime.” Caraluzzi then switched gears and worked for five years at a hedge fund in Boston. “The performance path can be so challenging,” she said. “I wanted to be able to support myself.”

Jennifer Caraluzzi performs the National Anthem at a New England Patriots game.

To further broaden her opportunities, Caraluzzi obtained an M.B.A. with a Music Business specialization from SNHU/Berklee online and a Master of  Music in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory. During the pandemic, she worked remotely for Berklee College of Music in Boston and additionally maintained teaching a course online for Berklee Online and voice lessons remotely for the New England Conservatory Prep School.

Caraluzzi’s next role was as Director of Academic Operations and Academic Success at Berklee in New York City, which offers three graduate specializations. Her work for Berklee Online is separate from her work with Berklee NYC, but keeps her teaching on the side. Caraluzzi also is authoring the Wellness for Musicians course with Berklee Online to bridge her work in the health and wellness world — she is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor and integrative nutrition health coach — and her career as a musician.

Jennifer Caraluzzi in a performance of “Candide.”

For Caraluzzi, it has always been about the music. “At WestConn, there was so much that inspired me. I participated in a Jazz workshop with Cedar Walton, and I was able to attend a singing program in Italy after my sophomore year. The faculty was always advocating for me. My professor, Dr. Margaret Astrup, became both my mentor and a dear friend, and would send me competition information and encouraged me to go to graduate school — and I’m glad I did.  I stay in touch with her to this day and was so happy to see how many of my fellow music graduates not only attended her retirement party, but also performed together there.”

She did not realize it at the time, but Caraluzzi’s positive experiences at WestConn inspired her two younger sisters to follow in her footsteps and enroll. Despite their different majors and programs of study, her sisters, Nina and Valerie, had similar outcomes: supportive relationships with faculty and staff, internship opportunities, and flourishing careers as a result of their WestConn educations.

“As a college administrator, I tell my students now to build strong relationships with their professors and explore all the opportunities available to them,” Caraluzzi said. “You can do so many things with their support.”

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.