PHX Reporter

Paradise Valley Community College alumnus Brandon Berg and music faculty member John Keenan have made a significant impact at the 47th Annual Rocky Mountain Regional Emmys. Their orchestral composition was featured as the opening theme of the event, hosted by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter.

Berg expressed his excitement about the experience: “I got chills when I heard the piece being played through the speakers at the venue,” he said. He noted that there were seven Emmy winners at his table, adding, “Everyone I talked with after the event loved the music, which was awesome. So happy to have had the opportunity to write for the Emmys!”

Keenan shared similar sentiments: “We were thrilled to be there. Everyone was very complimentary of Brandon’s composition.”

Following their success at the Emmys, Berg and Keenan are exploring future projects with major organizations such as Universal and Bridgewater. They also attended a conference in Orlando, Florida, organized by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), to expand their professional network.

Brandon Berg graduated from PVCC in 2021 with an Associate of Arts in Fine Arts in Music. He has since earned a Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music from Arizona State University (ASU) and Associate degrees in Music Business and Audio Production Technologies from PVCC. His senior capstone project at ASU involved composing for a 40-piece orchestra in one day—a feat he plans to include in his application for USC's Screen Scoring Master’s Program.

Berg's past accomplishments include performing with the Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Musikverein in Vienna, Austria, in 2020. Currently studying percussion at ASU, he aims to continue developing his skills in orchestral composition.

The board of Rocky Mountain Emmys appreciated Berg's work so much that they invited him to compose music for their November 2025 event. The achievements of Brandon Berg and John Keenan highlight PVCC's role in fostering talent through mentorship and creativity.