Berklee's First Homecoming Brings Global Alumni to Boston for a Block Party Celebration

Berklee's First Homecoming Brings Global Alumni to Boston for a Block Party Celebration A multi-genre lineup featuring Susan Tedeschi, Tiwa Savage, Fabiola M ndez, Dreion, and more anchors a day of live music and connection for artists, students, alumni, and fans on September 19.

April 15, 2026

By

Nick Balkin

Susan Tedeschi and Tiwa Savage will headline Berklees first Homecoming Block Party on September 19.

Berklee presents its inaugural Homecoming Block Party on Saturday, September 19, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., bringing together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and music fans for live performances, community, and a celebration of Berklee's deep roots in Boston and global influence across music and the performing arts. It will take place at the Berklee lot at 73 Brookline Avenue.

The event will be headlined by Grammy-winning roots powerhouse Susan Tedeschi and chart-topping Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage, with performances by Emmy-nominated cuatrista and composer Fabiola M ndez, psychedelic jazz-funk quintet Dogs In A Pile, soul-funk showman Dreion, and other artists to be announced. It's a dynamic showcase of the range, reach, and creative energy of Berklee's alumni community.

Were thrilled to invite our alumni back to Berklee, said Berklee President Jim Lucchese. Berklee alumni are shaping music and culture all over the world, and Homecoming is a way to bring that creative community together here in Boston. This weekend is about celebrating what Berklee has built across generations, creating new opportunities for connection, and welcoming alumni back to the city and campus that helped launch so many remarkable careers.

Berklee's alumni network is the most accomplished in contemporary music, with more than 85,000 members and more Grammy Awards than any other educational institution. The Homecoming Block Party responds directly to alumni interest in building stronger connections-to Berklee, to Boston, and to one another-while creating a new annual opportunity to exchange ideas and open doors across networks.

Tickets for Homecoming are now available for purchase.

Featured Artists

Susan TedeschiSusan Tedeschi BM '91 is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose work has made her one of the most respected artists in American roots music. A Boston-area native, she broke through with her landmark album Just Won't Burn and has since earned acclaim both as a solo artist and as a member of Tedeschi Trucks Band. Her music combines emotional depth, technical command, and a lifelong commitment to the blues tradition.

Tiwa SavageTiwa Savage PD '07 is one of the most influential voices in contemporary Afrobeats, known for helping define the genre's global rise while continuing to push her sound in new directions. A singer, songwriter, and performer with an international following, she has built a career marked by major hits, cross-genre collaboration, and lasting impact on the global music landscape. Her Homecoming appearance comes alongside the announcement of a new Berklee on the Road program in Lagos, Nigeria, created in partnership with the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.

Fabiola M ndezFabiola M ndez BM '18 is a Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer whose work explores culture, ancestry, and identity. In 2018, she became the first Berklee alum to graduate with the Puerto Rican cuatro as her principal instrument. She has brought her music to venues and platforms including NPR Tiny Desk, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and major festivals, while building a body of work that centers storytelling and Puerto Rican musical traditions.

Dogs in a PileDogs in a Pile is an eclectic quintet waking people up to the ineffable joys of psychedelic-tinged jazz-funk rock 'n' roll. One of the busiest touring bands of today, the band has averaged 130 live shows each year since 2022. Besides being a lyric from the Grateful Dead song, He's Gone, the name Dogs in a Pile is an apt description of the five-piece band's stylistic breadth. The sonic image it conjures is a heap of storyteller Americana, bluegrass, jazz improvisation, eccentric instrumental excursions, pop-rock sophistication, and deep-pocket grooves, ranging from funk to Latin to reggae and beyond.

DreionDreion BM '20 is a singer-songwriter, producer, and performer whose music blends gospel, soul, funk, and R&B with a strong sense of purpose. A four-chair-turn contestant on season 26 of The Voice and a member of the inaugural Team Snoop Dogg, he has shared stages with major artists while building a career rooted in performance and advocacy. A survivor of the foster care system, Dreion also uses his platform to champion foster youth and systemic reform.

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