Two years after it began offering free lessons over the Internet, Berklee College of Music has seen rapid growth in its two online programs. Its free site, Berkleeshares.com, is doubling its catalog to more than 170 high-quality, downloadable interactive music lessons — and, partly as a result, the college’s online extension program at www.Berkleemusic.com is experiencing explosive growth in paid enrollment. File sharing is an increasingly important resource for the music industry, and Berklee has embraced it by sharing some of its world-class music lessons with students around the globe. In making these online music lessons available for free, the college is enlarging its founding commitment to expand music education opportunities for people around the world. Berkleeshares.com is also serving as an example that the new file-sharing technology can be a force for good that, when used properly, can create a more vibrant music industry.
