
Lydia Harrell Sings National Anthem at Maura Healey's Inauguration The faculty vocalist talks about performing at the historic event earlier this month.
By
Alicia Taylor Bard
January 23, 2023
Left to right: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Governor Maura Healey, and Berklee faculty member Lydia Harrell
Image by Judy Parker
It was an historic day. The nation watched as Maura Healey, Massachusetts's first female governor and one of the nations first two openly gay women elected governor, was sworn into office. And while all eyes were on Healey at the inauguration, those who watched or attended were in for a special treat: Lydia Harrell, an instructor in Berklees Voice Department, performed the national anthem at Healey's request.
Known as one of Boston's musical treasures because of her soulful, sultry voice, Harrell, a Michigan native, has been teaching at Berklee for more than four years. She is the winner of the 2015 Duke Ellington Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Vocal Competition, and she won best song at the 48 Hour Film Project in Boston.
When shes not teaching, Harrell keeps a busy schedule performing locally and nationally. She plans to release new singles each quarter of this year, and also has a Billie Holiday show, called Lady Day, coming up at David Friend Recital Hall with some of her students on Tuesday, February 21.
Harrell has performed the national anthem at other major events, including several Boston Celtics games (she even sang the Canadian national anthem at one of those games). But performing at the inauguration, she says, was a dream come true. We caught up with Harrell for our Keyed In series to talk about her performance.
Lydia Harrell
Image by Ellen Sargent Korsh
Governor Healey made history by becoming the first woman and openly gay governor of Massachusetts. How does it feel to be part of that historic moment? Amazing! When I was first contacted to do it, I almost didn't believe it was real. I am so glad it was. I am truly honored to have been a part of this historic moment.
It's been said that when singing the national anthem you can't let yourself get stalled at beat three. Did you take that into consideration? I did not. I actually had to look that up. I have never heard of being stalled at beat three. Interesting. I wonder if it has to do with the time signature of the song. So many think that it is in four. However, it is actually in three.
Many would agree that the gold standard for the national anthem is Whitney Houston's rendition. As we know, many acclaimed singers have failed in their attempts. How did you prepare for your performance and what went into you deciding how you would perform it? I have been singing this song for a very long time. So, believe it or not, there was not a ton of preparation. I definitely practiced what key I would sing it in. I also worked out any new vocal things I wanted to possibly add. I slow down slightly at the end of the several phrases in this song. It is something I have done since the very first time I sang it in high school. I like doing this because it gives everyone a chance to digest what is being said in those phrases.
The national anthem has been controversial in recent years as it pertains to social justice. As a Black woman, did you think about that while you were singing it? I certainly did think of this. I always do. I often do not agree to sing this when asked at other events. I only sing it when it is something that means a great deal to me. I sincerely wish that we could change the national anthem to something new. There are so many beautiful songs written to honor this country. It is eye-opening and even somewhat alarming to know that The Star-Spangled Banner has lasted this long and is still going strong. It is also quite ironic that a Black woman's rendition of that song is the most popular. Black girl magic is real, y'all.
While this is not your first time performing the national anthem in front of a large crowd, what will you share with your students about your experience? I will, as I always do, share the entire experience with my students-from booking it to performing it and even what happened afterward. As an educator and performer, I feel it is my duty to share the experience with my students. I am happy to share whatever knowledge I have that will help them succeed.
Related Categories
Keyed In
News
Most Popular
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Announces Center Stage Performances for Spring 2023 The premier series will feature four performances showcasing the Conservatory's student talent across dance, music, and theater.
Latest
Image courtesy of the artist
Student Spotlight: Liam Purcell The seventh-semester mandolinist traces his path to Berklee back to his Appalachian bluegrass roots, discusses his ongoing touring work, and picks his five favorite songs of the moment.
Radio City Rockettes rehearse for the 2022 Christmas Spectacular. Photo courtesy of MSG Entertainment.
Radio City Rockettes and Boston Conservatory Partner on First-Ever, College-Level Rockettes Precision Dance Technique Course Students at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Berklee College of Music will have the unique opportunity to receive precision training from the Radio City Rockettes as part of the curriculum.
A still from the video game Delfini.
Screen Scoring Students Earn Gaming Industry Nod with USC Collaboration Dzidzor Amorin and Julian Cabrera's work on the video game Delfini received a 2022 Indiecade Award nomination for audio design.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
More from Berklee
02/07/2025
Boston Conservatory and the Sphinx Organization Join Forces to Make Classical Ed...
30/06/2025
Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics to Host 40th Anniversary Concert The celebration will be held on July 10 in Perugia, Italy.
By
Colette Greenstein
June 30, 202...
27/06/2025
How Two Berklee Alumni Landed Songs in the Oscar-Winning Film Anora Joseph Capalbo BM '12 and Lyusi Simon BM '16 share how their collaboration spanned...
26/06/2025
Berklee in Puerto Rico 30th Anniversary Celebration Culminates in Awarding $3.74...
25/06/2025
Study Reveals Stark Gender Gap in Jazz Education A new report from the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice and researcher Lara Pellegrinelli finds th...
25/06/2025
Jazz at the Fort Returns, Featuring Yoron Israel and High Standards The performance is part of Berklee's Summer in the City concert series.
By
Kelly Won...
19/06/2025
Chelsey Green Makes History as Recording Academy Board Chair The violinist, violist, vocalist, and Berklee professor is the first Black woman and youngest per...
18/06/2025
Bostons Dear Summer Mixtape Vol. 3 Features Berklee Artists, DJs, and Producers Created by Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainm...
13/06/2025
Berklee's Music Business/Management Department Recognized by the Music Biz A...
13/06/2025
On Chick Coreas Birthday, a Newly Uncovered Archival Release The Visitors, composed by Corea and performed by vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Kirill Gers...
11/06/2025
Boston Conservatory Heads to Tanglewood This Summer Student dancers and musicians from Boston Conservatory at Berklee will debut a new work by choreographer K...
10/06/2025
Berklee Professor Regie Gibson Named First Poet Laureate of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey honored Gibson as the inaugural Poet Laureate for the state in...
10/06/2025
Summer Songwriting Programs: Boston or LA? Berklee Lets You Choose Your Coast Whether you head east or west, Berklee offers aspiring songwriters the chance to...
07/06/2025
Berklee Professor's Fulbright Project Addresses Suicide Loss Through Art Ray Seol's cross-cultural production Another Season draws from personal grief...
05/06/2025
Bob Clearmountain to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Berklee NYC Graduate Commence...
04/06/2025
Betsie Becker Named Executive Director of Berklee NYC A veteran arts and education leader, Becker brings a strategic vision for academic innovation and commun...
03/06/2025
Antonio S nchez '97 to Deliver Keynote at Berklee College of Music's Gra...
03/06/2025
Alf Clausen, Composer for The Simpsons, Dies at 84 Alf Clausen '66 won two Emmys during his 26-year career on the iconic animated series.
By
Tara Bellu...
30/05/2025
How Musicians Can (and Should) Use AI-According to Berklee Experts At Berklee's first AI and Music Innovation event, artists and educators explored how ar...
30/05/2025
The Most Underrated Hip-Hop Producers, According to J. Rawls The producer whos worked with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, the Roots, and Common, joined a panel on camp...
23/05/2025
Berklee Global and Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Host Emerging Talent Intensi...
23/05/2025
Berklees 2025 Commencement, Through the Lens of a Graduate Photographer Matthew Ryu shares a look at Berklees 2025 commencement from a graduates POV.
By
Ma...
22/05/2025
Berklee Online Holds Annual Berklee Onsite Music Conference May 30-31 Kamilah Marshall, a backing vocalist for Taylor Swift, will give the keynote presentatio...
22/05/2025
Music Marketing: 5 Practical Strategies for Independent Artists Five ways help you build visibility, engage your audience, and grow your fanbase-including one...
20/05/2025
From Death Becomes Her to Dead Outlaw, Boston Conservatory Actors Are Killing It...
19/05/2025
Berklee's Summer in the City Returns with Free Concerts Throughout the Bosto...
16/05/2025
Berklee Announces Jonathan Mahoney as the New Dean for Pre-College, Online, and ...
15/05/2025
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Honors Tania Le n and Kelli O'Hara at Commenc...
15/05/2025
John Yao Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship for Interactive Jazz Project The Berklee professor and trombonist will debut Let's Make Some Noise, an immersive bi...
13/05/2025
Berklee Artists Take Center Stage at Top Music Festivals Thanks to the Berklee Popular Music Institute, students will perform at Lollapalooza, Governors Ball,...
12/05/2025
Building a Home Recording Studio? Here's What You Need. Experts break down the home studio setup and share tips to create a pro-level recording space on a...
11/05/2025
Berklee Honors Andr 3000 and Sara Bareilles at 2025 Commencement This years honorary doctorate recipients were recognized for their profound influence as art...
10/05/2025
Meet Graduates from Berklees Class of 2025 Members of this years graduating class reflect on their proudest moments at Berklee and look ahead to whats next.
...
09/05/2025
Berklee Online Signs Transfer Articulation with Conservatorio Nacional de M sica The new agreement allows CNM students in the Dominican Republic to transfer i...
09/05/2025
Berklee Popular Music Institute Announces UK Festival Debut and Tour Dates For the first time, BPMI will bring Berklee-affiliated artists and students to the ...
08/05/2025
Student Spotlight: Grigori Balasanyan The Armenian composer, who was named Boston Conservatory at Berklees 2025 student commencement speaker, talks about his ...
02/05/2025
Students, Alumni, and Faculty Represent Berklee at International Computer Music ...
02/05/2025
Four Boston Conservatory Alumni Nominated for Tony Awards Fifteen alumni from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Berklee College of Music contributed to nomin...
30/04/2025
Tania Le n and Kelli O'Hara to be Honored at Boston Conservatory at Berklee&...
30/04/2025
Andr 3000 and Sara Bareilles to Receive Honorary Doctorates at Berklee College ...
25/04/2025
Listen to Kim Perlak and Francisco Mela's New Album, Recorded in a Single Af...
24/04/2025
Berklee in Puerto Rico Program to Host 30th Anniversary Concert The event will feature Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning artist Miguel Zen n BM '98, cuatro...
24/04/2025
Detach Yourself from the Herd': Fito P ez Inspires at Berklee In a session hosted by the Mediterranean Music Institute, the influential Argentine musician...
23/04/2025
Berklee Abu Dhabi's Jazz Night Kicks off Global Celebration of Music and Cul...
19/04/2025
Berklee NYC and NYC Media Launch Season 3 of Inside Power Station @BerkleeNYC This season features faculty member Arun Pandian as the new host and interviews ...
18/04/2025
Berklee Student Yukai Yang Named 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artist The drummer secured a spot among the elite winners in this years competition.
By
Maddie...
18/04/2025
Boston Conservatory Alums Bring Real Women Have Curves to Broadway The Latin American immigrant community takes center stage in a new musical featuring Tatian...
17/04/2025
In Return to Berklee, Lucius Looks Back and Moves Forward From mood boards to live demos, the alumni band gave students an exclusive look at the process behin...
17/04/2025
Edward J. Lewis III Named Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement Lewis has more than 20 years of industry experience, leading fundraising initiati...
16/04/2025
Charlie Puths Homecoming Was Also a Victory Lap The pop star, songwriter, and producer talked about his career and shared stories behind his biggest hits, inc...