Berklee Wrapped 2025: Our Top News and Stories

Berklee Wrapped 2025: Our Top News and Stories A look back at a year highlighted by faculty milestones, major film and television projects, Bob Dylan's honorary doctorate, partnerships with FIFA, Red Bull, Boston Calling, and more.

December 22, 2025

By

Bryan Parys

Image by Elizabeth Friar

During his inauguration address in October 2025, President Jim Lucchese spoke about how artists dont come to Berklee because theyre looking for their vocation. Rather, If you're here, [your vocation] found you, he said. You're pursuing your art because you have to, and it creates a special connection. Our faculty see that calling in our students, and our students see themselves in their teachers.

That special connection was on display throughout the year. Our students continued to blur the lines between classrooms and professional experience through partnerships with FIFA, Red Bull, and Boston Calling. At Berklee Valencia, faculty and alumni worked together to score Alejandro Amen bars latest film. We focused on musics power to heal and expand opportunities, with faculty members bringing music therapy to Chinese elders in Boston and staging the Berklee Inclusion Ensembles debut performance.

That's why our students are here, Lucchese said in his remarks, citing the Berklee communitys ability to heal and bring people together. And that's why we're here, too.

Below, take a look back at where 2025 took us, and join us in imagining where were going next.

Top News of 2025Bob Dylan Receives Berklee Honorary Doctorate

Bob Dylan Awarded Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music

Who knows what path my career might have taken if I'd been fortunate enough to learn from some of the great musicians who taught at Berklee.-Bob Dylan

This Berklee Program Turns Class Projects into Career BreakthroughsIt's all about getting our curriculum connected to what's actually happening out in the industry at the moment.

-Rodney Alejandro, dean of professional writing and music technology

How Musicians Can (and Should) Use AI-According to Berklee ExpertsWhen we use AI, we have to develop our own ethics.

-Lori Landay, professor of cultural studies

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Filmed at Berklee NYCs Power Station[The film crew was] shocked to find out that the studios. . . looked almost identical to as they would have looked when Bruce was recording Nebraska.

-Hayley Isaacson, studio manager, Power Station

Berklee Celebrates the Inauguration of President Jim LuccheseSome institutions talk about helping students find their vocation. If youre here, that's not a problem. If you're here, it found you.

-Jim Lucchese, president

Best Visiting Artist StoriesKPop Demon Hunters Singers Work with Students

KPop Demon Hunters Stars Visit Berklee for Weeklong Celebration

The song is king. . . . Collaborate with people better than yourself. Do what you have to do to get the best melody, which takes time and practice.-EJAE, songwriter and singing voice of Rumi, KPop Demon Hunters

Rakim to Join Berklees Hip-Hop Hall of Fame at Signature Series Concert[T]o stand on the steps of an institution that has drawn the blueprint for creative development for generations past and future is both humbling and exhilarating.

-Rakim

Career Jam 2025: Insights, Images, and InspirationCharlie Puth, NPRs Tiny Desk, top A&Rs, and more came together for a day of professional development and energetic performances.

Berklee Honors Andr 3000 and Sara Bareilles at 2025 CommencementWhatever you do, keep telling your truth to the world. That's what makes you an artist.

-Sara Bareilles

Allison Miller Named the 2025-2026 Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar in Jazz StudiesI look forward to working with the collective student body, as well as guiding each individual on their unique journey to access the truth behind their compositional voice.

-Allison Miller

Best Alumni Stories

Alum Esin Ayd ng z Pens Nevermore Alma Mater for Netflixs WednesdayThe lyrics were written on top of my melody. . . . It was surreal to hear Catherine Zeta-Jones sing it, because years ago at Berklee I studied Chicago, the musical she starred in.

-Esin Ayd ng z BM 17

Charlie Puths Homecoming Was Also a Victory LapEvery great thing that I had at Berklee, you all have now-and maybe even more.

-Charlie Puth BM 13

How Two Berklee Alumni Landed Songs in the Oscar-Winning Film AnoraBerklee changed my life. It made me believe I could do music professionally-not just as a dream, but as a reality.

-Lyusi Simon, co-songwriter, Anora

PARADEs National Tour Is a Procession of Boston Conservatory TalentIts about finding that whole life, so that youre not only happy when youre in a show, but that every day there is some aspect of doing the thing that you love to do.

-Michael Tacconi BFA '12

Best Faculty Stories

Chelsey Green Makes History as Recording Academy Board Chair

Music is how culture moves, breathes, and remembers. Being elected to this role is a call to lead with integrity, to advocate for access, and to innovate boldly on behalf of the music creators who keep music alive.-Chelsey Green, associate professor, strings

Berklee Professor Regie Gibson Named First Poet Laureat of MassachusettsRegie Gibson is a talented poet with a proven commitment to community engagement and a deep appreciation for the history, beauty, and resilience of our state and our people.

-Governor Maura Healey

Electronic Music Genres: A Guide to the Most Influential StylesElectronic music is always evolving, and there will always be more to explore. Stay tuned for more innovation and more unimaginable results.

-Michele Darling, chair, Electronic Production and Design Department

The Velvet Sundown: The AI Band Controversy ExplainedGhost artists have been part of music culture for generations, and AI is only the newest tool in that

LINK:	https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/berklee-wrapped-2025-our-top-...
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