Berklee Celebrates Class of 2021 with Virtual Commencement Berklee College of Music honored Celine Dion, Donald Harrison, and Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee honored Chita Rivera and Andr Watts.By
Tori Donahue
May 8, 2021
Celine Dion addresses the class of 2021.
In two virtual commencement celebrations earlier today, Berklee President Roger H. Brown presented honorary doctorates to music icons Celine Dion, Donald Harrison, and Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee Executive Director Cathy Young presented honorary doctorates to theater legend Chita Rivera and acclaimed pianist Andr Watts. All honorary degree recipients addressed the respective classes of 2021 in prerecorded videos. Berklee College of Music's class of 2021 consists of 859 students representing 56 countries and 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.; Boston Conservatory at Berklee's class of 2021 consists of 195 students representing 20 countries and 37 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.
Berklee College of Music's annual commencement concert, which was broadcast on YouTube the previous evening, featured some of the College and Conservatory's most accomplished students paying tribute to this year's College honorees by performing their music. Pieces performed included Happy, Williams's Oscar-nominated song from Despicable Me 2, and a tribune to the Neptunes featuring She Wants to Move by Williams and Hugo's group N.E.R.D., Hot in Herre by Nelly, and several other chart-topping songs. Dion's tribute included the Oscar-winning ballad My Heart Will Go On, Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore, her signature French-language song, and her covers of It's All Coming Back to Me Now and The Power of Love. Harrison performed with students for his tribute portion of the concert, singing lead vocals on Dat's Jazz and Hu-Ta-Nay (Reprise), on which he also performed alto saxophone. He also played alto saxophone with a student band for The Magic Touch, Nouveau Swing, and Hu-Ta-Nay.
Watch Berklee College of Musics 2021 commencement concert:
You're never really alone when you have music in your life...go out there and express yourself with the confidence and enthusiasm of champions.
-Celine Dion
In Dion's remarks to graduates during the Berklee College of Music ceremony, the legendary Grammy- and Oscar-winning performer spoke about the unifying power of music. Music vibrates deep into our very core, and it's a way we can express ourselves like no other, she said. It's a unique language that has no barriers, and you're never really alone when you have music in your life. In closing, she offered congratulations and encouragement to the graduates, saying, Berklee College of Music, I'm forever grateful for the honor you bestowed upon me, and class of 2021, go out there and express yourself with the confidence and enthusiasm of champions-give it everything you've got. Let the world hear you; I'm rooting for you!
In his address, visionary recording artist, producer, songwriter, philanthropist, fashion designer, and entrepreneur Williams said to the graduating class, Your situation is destined for you what the universe has for you, no man can stop. You didn't go through all the years of training and all the years of education and schooling to stop here. The universe closes windows only to open doors-this is the beginning for you. Williams expressed gratitude for his family as well as the family of his creative partner and collaborator, Hugo, for their support throughout the years in his remarks.
Two-time Grammy winner and multiplatinum producer Hugo offered gratitude for the teachers in his life in his address to the class of 2021. We owe so much to the music educators that saw the potential in us students to help instill in us that, as musicians, we have a greater purpose and responsibility, he said. Hugo celebrated the graduating class's gift to unite and bring people together, saying, The gift we share is so unique, so powerful in how it can inspire and uplift. In closing, he shared words of praise, stating, We cannot wait to see how you do it your way-the world needs that inspiration, especially right now.
Legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Donald Harrison began his remarks by thanking his family for supporting his interest in music from a young age through the present moment. Harrison, a 1981 graduate of the College, reminisced on his music education, saying, I still remember the feeling of knowing I was in the right place the moment I stepped through the doors at 1140 Boylston Street. Following his time at Berklee, he shared the lessons he learned from performing with over 250 master music innovators throughout his decades-long career. In closing, he offered the following advice to the graduating class: With music, like life, the more you work and put into it, the more you will see from your efforts.
Believe in yourself. Be ready. You'll never know when that amazing opportunity will present itself.
-Chita Rivera
In Boston Conservatory at Berklee's ceremony, Rivera, theatrical icon and one of Broadways greatest triple-threats, delivered remarks to the class of 2021, saying, You'll need a little love and perseverance to have a career in the arts. She spoke to her fearlessness and resilience following a car accident early in her career, resuming life on the stage just a year later. Rivera encouraged the graduates to pay attention to those around them, offering the following advice: Believe in yourself. Be ready. You'll never know when that amazing opportunity will present itself. She closed with thanks to the institution and a mortarboard salute for the graduates.
The acclaimed
