Student Spotlight: Chaiah

What’s it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience—what they’re learning in class, what kinds of projects they’re involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they’re listening to. 

Chaiah aka Chiara Baume, an 8th-semester Music Production & Engineering student from Buenos Aires, talks about her experience pushing boundaries and championing artistry and activism with intent. The inter-disciplinary artist with her 2024 album titled Control Release, explores the confluence of experimentation and organic song-building that truly showcases her sonic identity. You can follow her on Instagram or check out her Linktree. 

Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?

A close friend played a significant role in my decision to come to Berklee. They not only inspired me to apply but also encouraged me to consider the possibility of pursuing a career abroad—something I hadn’t seriously explored before.

I had always loved composing and producing music. Back home in Argentina, I played in bands and orchestras, but the idea of studying music at a prestigious school like Berklee felt both exciting and unknown. What drew me in the most was the opportunity to immerse myself in an environment where art and music technology intersect in such interdisciplinary ways. The thought of learning alongside incredibly talented and passionate people from all over the world was irresistible.

You’ve just released an album. What was the process like? What inspired this piece of work?

Yes! Control Release is an art piece I’ve been working on for years. I set out to create a jazz, R&B, and hip-hop-influenced record that seamlessly blends organic live instrumentation with electronic elements. It was important to me that this album not only reflected the music and sound design techniques I’ve been exploring here in Boston but also felt deeply autobiographical.

I love pushing the boundaries of arrangement, production, and mixing—challenging every parameter until the music sounds exactly how I imagine it. I tend to visualize the finish line before I reach it, using that vision as a guide while letting my imagination shape the process.

Some of the artists who inspired this record include BADBADNOTGOOD, Hiatus Kaiyote, Mndsgn, Alfa Mist, Liv.e, Sevdaliza, Spinetta, Vinicio, and of course, the Ganoush Collective. Their music has been a huge influence on how I approached this project.

What's been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?

One of my favorite classes right now is Advanced Mixing Lab 3 with Rachel Alina, a Music Production and Engineering course. I really enjoy the approach to mixing in this class—it’s meticulous, creative, and deeply intentional. I’m learning so much about modern mixing techniques, from multiband compression and limiters to sound design effects, parametric EQs, and gain staging. The environment is demanding yet inspiring, where everyone approaches their mixes with purpose and precision.

Mixing is such a refined art form—one that balances emotional impact, musical clarity, and technical finesse. Through this class, I feel like I’m finally bringing my mixing and delivery to the level I’ve always aimed for. The best classes, in my opinion, are the ones that help bridge the gap between a person's vision and making that vision a reality. Advanced Mixing Lab 3 does exactly that for me, and Rachel Alina is an outstanding teacher. I couldn’t be happier with this experience.

What's a project you've worked on since coming to Berklee that you've been especially excited about? 

Since coming to Berklee, one of my most exciting projects has been the Ganoush Collective—an interdisciplinary group of artists, musicians, producers, mixers, and composers who collaborate to bring musical ideas to life.

The collective began in January 2024 as part of the Electronic Hip-Hop and R&B Ensemble, a colleague ensemble credit mentored by the incredible Daedelus and music-directed by me. Since then, it has grown tremendously. We’ve released four singles so far, and our next goal is to drop a full-length album featuring 10 tracks—each composed by a different member and brought to life collectively through arrangement, production, and mixing, all with a strong emphasis on collaboration. What makes the Ganoush Collective special is its global influence—our members come from the US, India, Spain, and Argentina, shaping our sound with diverse perspectives. It’s a forward-thinking collective rooted in sonic exploration and shared experience.

How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?

I find inspiration by surrounding myself with people and experiences that challenge and shape my perception of the world. Every emotion—excitement, joy, sadness, frustration, love, gratitude—directly influences my musical footprint. To me, it’s all connected. Music becomes the soundtrack, the sonic reflection of intense life experiences—social, emotional, political, and psychological—from my perspective.

It’s like capturing a moment in time, a specific feeling or thought materialized into sound. And just like memories, music allows us to revisit those moments, reliving them in a way that feels both personal and universal. I see memories as an infinite source of inspiration—something we get to experience firsthand through music.

When you think towards your future, who inspires you most?

Some of my biggest inspirations come from the people around me. My sister, Francesca, inspires me endlessly—she is unapologetically herself and stands by her beliefs with a strength that I deeply admire. I also draw a lot of inspiration from my teacher and mentor, Daedelus. Their understanding of music is so immersive and experiential, and they create with such fearless passion that it constantly pushes me to rethink what’s possible.

Beyond that, I’m deeply moved by the people I work with—my talented friends, whose dedication and growth I’ve witnessed firsthand. There’s something powerful about building together, growing side by side rather than looking at success as something dictated by hierarchies. I find inspiration in community, in collaboration, and in the forward-thinking artists and activists who challenge the status quo. Their drive reminds me that change happens when people come together with intention and purpose. 

What's one piece of advice you'd give to your younger self?

I’d tell myself that life is going to be unpredictable—sometimes wildly so—but to trust the process and, most importantly, my intuition. There’s something incredibly honest about intuition—the way it carries both discomfort and comfort, guiding you even when things feel uncertain. I’d remind myself to embrace the chaos, because it has led me to some of the most incredible, unexpected places—places I never could have planned for but am endlessly grateful for.

5 artists Inspiring Chaiah

We asked Chaiah to give us five artists who are inspiring her right now. Here's what she said:

1. Bianca Cabili

An incredible Argentine artist and a dear friend who inspires me endlessly. Through her music, she brings forward vital narratives on historical reparations, memory, and empowerment, all deeply rooted in Latin American traditions. Her work sparks conversations that need to be heard and felt today.

2. Hiatus Kaiyote

Pure awakening—bold, forward-thinking, and ever-evolving. Their Boston show last summer completely blew my mind. Their music is fresh and fearless, a constant source of inspiration, always pushing the boundaries of art in its rawest, most authentic form.

3. Tim Bernardes

A Brazilian artist whose music fills me with nostalgia and deep sensitivity. His songs evoke love and introspection, resonating with me in a way that feels almost timeless. Brazilian music has been woven into my life since childhood, always opening my heart, stirring my emotions, and inviting moments of reflection and silence.

4. Vinocio

A pioneering Argentine group seamlessly blending jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul while drawing from the rich sounds of the ’70s and ’90s. They are redefining creative boundaries in the Buenos Aires music scene in ways I’ve never seen before.

5. Noname

An artist who speaks up fearlessly, unapologetically spreading truth, love, and resistance. She amplifies unheard voices and brings visibility to struggles in a powerful and beautiful way. Her music is nothing short of magnificent.