Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester

President Lucchese welcomes students to the spring semester.

January 21, 2026

Dear Berklee students,

Happy New Year and welcome to the spring 2026 semester! I hope the winter break provided an opportunity for some well-earned rest and relaxation, and that you’re feeling recharged and excited as classes kick off. Last week, we welcomed a new cohort of students from around the world to begin their Berklee journeys this spring. As the entering students get settled, our programs are helping them form connections across the community, while introducing them to support and resources available through Berklee Bridge.

Reflecting on our recent faculty conference, Berklee Teachers on Teaching (BTOT), the theme—“The Art of Education: Centering Humanity at a Time of Change”—feels especially relevant for the moment in which you are learning and creating, amid extraordinary changes and challenges. The sessions showcased the remarkable depth of talent and expertise across our community and reinforced the importance of our mission. I’d like to take a moment to remind everyone of the resources available to our community as we continue to navigate many of those challenges.

The why of music and art, grounded in human connection and empathy, has never felt more vital, and is why I feel deeply optimistic about Berklee’s future. There is no better time to focus on realizing the full potential of your gifts. What draws people to create and to engage with art is its power to connect; it transcends differences while also allowing for profound expressions of identity. That is why we remain focused on our commitment to make Berklee more affordable to exceptional artists around the world, to best position our students for careers as leaders and innovators, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of our mission, community, and global impact. Our goal is to support you not only while you are here, but also as you build creative lives on your own terms. 

I’m always happy to learn about and share work by our amazing students, faculty, and alumni, and I’d like to close by highlighting the many members of our community who are nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards across an impressive array of categories. Enjoy this Berklee 2026 Grammy Nominees playlist, showcasing the incredible range of talent here.  

I hope you have a fantastic spring and look forward to supporting your development throughout the semester and beyond.

Thanks, 

Jim Lucchese
President