Homecoming Artist Spotlight: Susan Tedeschi

Berklee's first-ever Homecoming Block Party brings alumni back to Boston on Saturday, September 19, for a daylong celebration of the music that started here. Our Homecoming Artist Spotlight series introduces the alumni taking the stage, including their favorite Berklee memories, the lessons they carried out into their careers, and what "coming home" means to them now. 

Susan Tedeschi BM ’91 arrived at Berklee before she had found the sound that would define her career. Singing in the Reverence Gospel Ensemble opened a path toward gospel, soul, and eventually the blues. After graduation, the Boston-area native broke through with her platinum-selling album Just Won’t Burn and went on to earn seven Grammy nominations, including a win for Revelator with Tedeschi Trucks Band. Today, she leads the 12-member group alongside Derek Trucks, bringing the same openness to blues, rock, soul, and American roots music that she first developed at Berklee.

Berklee's first-ever Homecoming Block Party takes place Saturday, September 19, from 1 to 6 p.m. Learn more and get your tickets here. 

Berklee pushed me beyond my comfort zone by encouraging me to try different styles of music and work with new people.

— Susan Tedeschi

Looking back, what's one Berklee memory that still makes you smile or has stayed with you throughout your career? 

One memory that still makes me smile is performing with the Reverence Gospel Ensemble, led by Dennis Montgomery III at Harvard University. The choir was backing Shirley Caesar, and I was standing beside Kenya Hathaway in the alto section. We were singing “Sweeping Through the City.” At one point, Shirley invited a young woman from the audience to sing with her. That woman was my roommate, Rhonda Ronsman. It remains a very special memory. 

How did your time at Berklee shape the artist, or person, you are today? 

My time at Berklee prepared me for both the recording studio and the stage. It gave me the opportunity to try out many different styles and techniques. Everything from songwriting and arranging classes to conducting helped shape the artist I became. The audition process taught me how to navigate both disappointment and success, whether I was auditioning for Singers Showcase or trying to earn a place in a recording ensemble. Berklee helped me understand the power of hard work, communication, and showing up.

Berklee also pushed me beyond my comfort zone by encouraging me to try different styles of music and work with new people. During that time, I realized I loved singing gospel and soul music. I also developed a deep appreciation for great songwriters like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell, to name a few. All of those experiences built my confidence as a performer and as a communicator. 

What advice would you share with current Berklee students who are just beginning their own journey? 

I would advise new students to keep an open mind. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Take as many classes as you can in subjects that interest you. Audition for everything, and make yourself available when other students need you for a project. Above all, have fun and make lots of music.