Arik Katz '25 - Men's Swimming and Diving
Returning to GoCrimson.com for an eighth season, "Around The Yard: Life As A Harvard Student-Athlete" explores life away from the playing fields for select Harvard student-athletes through Q&A style entries.

Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Arik Katz and I am originally from Sarasota, Florida. I am a second semester first-year living in Pforzheimer House and I swim distance freestyle on the men's swimming and diving team. I also play piano and write music and am in the Harvard/Berklee dual degree program.
 
When did you start playing piano? Were you always interested in a music-related degree?
I started playing piano when I was six, but didn't get serious about music until I was around 13 or 14. Ever since then, I had been interested in doing something music-related in college, but wasn't sure what.
 
What is the dual degree program and how did you find out about the opportunity to pursue that path?
The Harvard/Berklee dual degree program allows you to study at Berklee while studying at Harvard. Every semester, I'll take a few classes at Berklee in addition to the regular Harvard course load. Eventually, after graduation from Harvard, there's an opportunity to complete a fifth year at Berklee to earn a Master of Music degree. I found out about it through a former music teacher of mine.
 
Do you have a concentration at Harvard?
I'm still undeclared, but am most likely concentrating in History and Literature.
 
How do you think your time at Berklee will support your studies at Harvard or what do you see as a benefit of completing the dual degree program for your future?
As I'm most likely concentrating in a humanities degree, I hope that studying music can help illuminate aspects of what I study at Harvard. I plan to write something about music for my History and Literature thesis.
 
What are your future career goals?
I am not sure yet, but I hope to pursue something in music or the arts.