Berklee’s First Homecoming Block Party Brings Alumni Home for Global Music Festival

Berklee held its inaugural Homecoming Weekend from September 18–19, 2026, welcoming graduates from the college and Conservatory back to Boston for a weekend of music, learning, networking, and artistic collaboration. Following a day of panels, receptions, and artist clinics on Friday, September 18, Berklee opened up the celebration to the broader Boston community with a Block Party on Saturday, September 19.

The Block Party kicked off with a dynamic set by the Hamilton-Garrett Drumline, featuring dancers from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, under the direction of alum Gerami Groover BM ’12 MM ’14 of Hamilton-Garrett and Mila Thigpen, chair of dance at Boston Conservatory. The group’s Beyoncé medley began at the entrance to the festival at 73 Brookline Avenue before moving through the crowd to the Homecoming and Encore stages.   

Before performances began, Sharon Durkan, city councilor for District 8, shared her appreciation for Berklee’s presence in Boston over the years. She presented a resolution from the city, closing her remarks by saying, “Berklee continues to be a world-class institution that we are so proud to have in the city of Boston.” Block Party emcee Lady Satch BM ’26 took the stage to introduce fellow alum Dreion BM ’20, who kicked off the first of three sets filled with alumni performers and special guests. 

Dreion, a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer from Omaha, Nebraska, led three unique, collaborative sets with special guests. He began his first set with fellow alum Zalissa ’22. “Eight years ago we played this song at a Berklee Summer in the City concert and that video went viral with one million views,” he shared, pointing out that Zalissa was a backup vocalist for the performance of James Brown’s “Get On Up.” 

“Now we’re going to do it for you here,” said Dreion, before launching into the song. He then welcomed Grammy-nominated saxophonist and professor Tia Fuller to the stage, who performed a high-energy Michael Jackson medley. Dreion’s final set featured Prince collaborator, keyboardist, and musical director Morris Hayes. The group wrapped up performances on the Encore stage with a Prince medley filled with dancing and singing along. 

Professor Rick Peckham introduced psychedelic jazz-funk jam band Dogs in a Pile before their groovy, hour-long set. Bassist Sam Lucid BM ’20, keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan ’21, and guitarist Brian Murray ’21 met as Berklee students, jamming in dorms, practice rooms, and apartments. The band gave Peckham a shoutout during their set and performed songs written in his class, while sharing stories of their time living on Park Drive and gigging around the city. 

Ahead of Fabiola Méndez’s BM ’18 set, associate professor Eguie Castrillo reflected on her legacy at the college, where she made history as the first student to graduate from Berklee with the Puerto Rican cuatro as her principal instrument. Her Block Party set spotlighted music from Puerto Rico and Cuba, performed by a dynamic band that inspired salsa dancing in the audience. “I remember being a student coming to these events,” said Méndez, sharing her memories from Berklee. As she closed her hour-long performance, she expressed gratitude to Berklee and all in attendance, saying, “thank you for opening your hearts, for singing and dancing with us.”

The Block Party ended on a high note with a headlining set by Grammy Award-winning roots powerhouse Susan Tedeschi BM ’91. In his introduction, Berklee President Jim Lucchese reflected on Tedeschi’s career and announced the Susan Tedeschi Scholarship: “Shortly after her time at Berklee, because of her incredible talent, she found herself playing with legends like B.B. King and Buddy Guy—now, she is a legend. Over all that time, she made time to lift up other musicians and artists, including younger artists. And as a continuation of that, I am thrilled to say that starting this year, we are announcing an endowed scholarship in the name of Susan Tedeschi.” 

As part of her set, Tedeschi shared the stage with a funk-infused bluegrass band, featuring professor Dennis Montgomery III on keys. She also welcomed her husband and collaborator Derek Trucks for performances of “What In The World,” “Hero,” “Just Won’t Burn,” and “Little by Little.” Tedeschi expressed her gratitude to Berklee and shared how honored she was when asked to come back for the Block Party. “We’ll be rooting for you all the way,” she told students and alumni as she closed out the day. 

Berklee's Homecoming After-Party wrapped up the weekend with special performances and collaborations led by alumni at the House of Blues. Performers included Louis Cato ’04, JR Robinson ’75, and Terri Lyne Carrington BM ’83, ’03H; with Grammy winners Lalah Hathaway BM ’90, ’22H; Arooj Aftab BM ’10; and Miguel Zenon BM ’98; session bassist Neil Stubenhaus ’75; and more than a dozen additional alumni. Christelle Pascal ’23 and Shalyah Fearing ’23 served as emcees for the evening. The party ended with an open jam session hosted by faculty members Lil John Roberts ’92 and Chris Loftlin BM ’92, and alumni Taku Hirano BM ’95, MA ’24 and Cheche Alara BM ’94.