
Berklees 2025 Commencement, Through the Lens of a Graduate Photographer Matthew Ryu shares a look at Berklees 2025 commencement from a graduates POV.
By
Matthew Ryu
May 22, 2025
Image by Matthew Ryu
Matthew Ryu BM '25 majored in jazz composition and is from Bangkok, Thailand, and Seoul, South Korea.
Follow Matthew on Instagram, YouTube, or his website.
As I walked in the rain holding my umbrella, I thought about all the parents that would be at the commencement. I've often thought that maybe it's a day more for celebrating those who supported our journey.
We as students are supported not only by ourselves but our peers, professors, sponsors, guardians, and most of all, our parents. My mother raised two children as a single parent, and it was extremely difficult to send me to Berklee. We initially planned that I would only be able to attend the college for only a year, but somehow, here I was walking to my graduation. There was no one else that I wished to be there but my mother as I wanted to celebrate all the work she put in and all the faith she had in me. I wanted her to visit the place that she'd been sending her son to. I couldn't have done it without her support, and I think it was no coincidence that Mother's Day was just the next day.
Although she couldn't make it to the graduation, I was able to celebrate and experience joy through my fellow graduates and everyone else who came. As we walked out to the arena, I imagined my mother being there and putting my cap on her, as she deserved it more than I did. Sara Bareilless and Andr 3000's speeches were beautiful, but most importantly, inspiring, and as we waited for the commencement to begin, there was a real sense of community and togetherness. Some were excited and some were nervous, but we had each other.
The most beautiful moment for me was after the commencement, when all the graduates I saw in the waiting room a few hours prior finally met their friends and families, embracing each other. The joy and excitement felt that day shone a bright light over the gloomy weather.
Getting ready.
Image by Matthew Ryu
Making new friends, Zoe and Chuck!
Image by Matthew Ryu
Lining up to walk out to the stadium.
Image by Matthew Ryu
In line to enter.
Image by Matthew Ryu
Almost there . . .
Image by Matthew Ryu
Getting closer . . .
Image by Matthew Ryu
Found our seats!
Image by Matthew Ryu
Picture of new friend Zoe and the crowd.
Image by Matthew Ryu
Welcome families and friends!
Image by Matthew Ryu
Eager to walk on stage.
Image by Matthew Ryu
Listening to Andr 3000's speech.
Image by Matthew Ryu
Walking! Getting the diploma! Moment of truth!
Image by Matthew Ryu
Tassels have been moved to the left. Graduates have graduated!
Image by Matthew Ryu
Umbrellas waiting for their owners.
Image by Matthew Ryu
Related Categories
News
Most Popular
Image by Maddie Ross, courtesy of Tape Op magazine
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 any budget.
Latest
Image by John Davenport
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 campus where he talked about the inherently expansive nature of hip-hop.
Image by Kelly Davidson
Berklee's Summer in the City Returns with Free Concerts Throughout the Boston Area The series features Berklee students, faculty, and alumni performing at popular venues throughout the city and beyond.
Illustration by Vanessa Rossi
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 artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity and artistic responsibility-and what today's musicians need to know.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Top L-R: The Friend's House is Here, Josephine, The Lake, Bedford Park, Who Killed Alex Odeh?
Second Row L-R: Take Me Home, American Pachuco: The Legend of...
30/01/2026
Spotify, Haziran ay sonunda kadar stanbul'da yeni bir ofis a aca n ve T rkiye pazar n y netmek zere yeni bir atama ger ekle tirdi ini duyurdu. Bu kaps...
30/01/2026
The Artemis II wet dress rehearsal will simulate the launch countdown, fully loading fuel and verifying systems ahead of the first SLS and Orion crewed flight....
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Grass Valley , the leading technology provider for live production solutions, and NETGEAR Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), a global leader in network solutions, today anno...
30/01/2026
tvONE, a leading video processor, signal distribution technology and media server developer, announces the expansion of Amit Singh's role to Regional Sales ...
30/01/2026
With a career that spans four decades across television, film and post-production, Freelance Sound Designer and Post-production Sound Mixer Mike Aiton has built...
30/01/2026
DPA Microphones will feature its new, fully integrated wireless microphone ecosystem, designed to let audio professionals work faster, cleaner and with total co...
30/01/2026
As the Middle East continues to accelerate investment in next-generation media, broadcast, and immersive content technologies, Ventum Tech today announced a str...
30/01/2026
Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company and global leader in robotic camera systems, today announced its participation at Integrated Systems Europe ...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Hosts the National Opera Association's 2026 C...
30/01/2026
Student Spotlight: Sriram Narayanan The classical pianist shares his experience growing up with a language disability and finding his voice through music.
Ja...
30/01/2026
Heading into 2026, the pace of change across radio, TV, and digital media is reaching an inflection point. Audience behaviors continue to evolve, measurement mo...
30/01/2026
30 Jan 2026
VEON Partners with MindBridge to Enhance Financial Analytics, Audit...
30/01/2026
Introducing the NEW Techtel.tv! | FEB 5% OFF Offer
30 Jan Written By Suzanne Costello
Our Website & Online Store: Now Unified for a Seamless Experience.We...
30/01/2026
Friday 30 January 2026
Easels at the ready! All new judging line up for series ...
30/01/2026
Friday 30 January 2026
Britain can switch off terrestrial TV in the 2030s, with...
30/01/2026
Back to All News
The Danish Crime Series The Asset' Returns for a Second Season
Entertainment
30 January 2026
GlobalDenmark
Link copied to clipboard
...
30/01/2026
Two key themes came through strongly:
Inconsistent measurement remains a major barrier to comparing performance across Retail Media Networks
Independent cer...
29/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distribut...
29/01/2026
Michele Fracchiolla Succeeds Andrew Barr as President of EMEA region from April 1, 2026
London, January 29, 2026
Hitachi Europe Ltd. today announces the appoi...
29/01/2026
MELBOURNE, Fla., January 29, 2026 - L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) reports fu...
29/01/2026
Bluey' Wins Second Consecutive Top Streaming Title of the Year with 45 Billi...
29/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/01/2026
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Presents East Coast Premiere of Peter and Leonardo...
29/01/2026
29 Jan 2026
Kyivstar Announces Pricing of Secondary Offering of Common Shares Held by VEON NEW YORK, New York, January 29, 2026 -- VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a ...
29/01/2026
Mercedes-Benz is marking 140 years of automotive innovation with a new S-Class b...
29/01/2026
X-Rite Pantone Appoints Cindy Cooperman as Vice President and General Manager of...
29/01/2026
New two-part true crime documentary, OUTBACK TERROR: THE FALCONIO MURDER, aims to shed new light on a case that continues to intrigue on both sides of the world...
29/01/2026
Back to All News
Love is Blind: Sweden Returns for a Third Season - Premiering ...
29/01/2026
Back to All News
Unmask Bridgerton' Season 4 With Our Complete Coverage Guide
Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Season ...
29/01/2026
Back to All News
Extraordinary Crime Mysteries, Mythical Worlds and High-Stakes...
29/01/2026
FOX Sports Unveils Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast Schedule Monumental Slate Features 340 Hours of Live First-Run Programming Across FOX Sports Platfo...