Pass the Mic: A Berklee Alumni Podcast

In this episode we break down all of Berklee's Homecoming and Block Party events, we introduce you to Berklee Connect, and we talk to Kristi Knupp (aka Pretty Little Saturday) about her artistic odyssey.

Pretty Little Saturday's new single Dangerous Company drops on October 30th:

https://www.prettylittlesaturday.com/

Claim your Berklee Connect profile at: alumni.berklee.edu

*Correction: At the end of the episode calls the weissenborn guitar a "weissendorff." He blames this mistake on a recent Stephen Dorff movie marathon.

Emmy-winning alum Hughie Stone Fish ’10 joins us for our season four opener!

Hughie walks us through the journey of his career from learning piano to teaching at The Second City to performing in front of millions on Bring the funny. With all of his success, he was most excited to talk about his nonprofit The Arts Project Syracuse (TAPS) and their new album Sounds of Unity.

Video Companions:

Welcome to Syracuse:

https://youtu.be/l9xtXqJxs_8?si=pgheJ1RdBVI52zry

A Minute With | Hu...

In this episode Mel Fine takes us through their process of developing artistic style, design, songwriting, and persona. Mel delivers Pass the Mic's very first in-studio performance and walks us through the thinking process of a new song.

To learn more about Mel, visit: https://melfinemusic.com/

Closing Song: Higher by Vincint ’13

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore some of Berklee’s current philanthropic priorities and...

In this episode we take a look back at the student employees who helped shape Alumni Affairs Digital Engagement. With a healthy dose of nostalgia, we connect, catch up, and reminisce on memories past.

Guests (In order of Appearance):

Joesph Dreeszen, Senior Director of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving

Hui Kim ’22

Tom Foster ’25

Jonah Stuhr ’24

Faride Blanco ’19

Music:

Dreams on Hold by Sarah Eide ’14

Crayola by Sheisa

Special Thanks:

Lea Washington ’20

In this episode, alums Claudia and Paulo stop by the Alumni Affairs office before serving as panelists for the SOMOS Latinx pre-orientation program. We talk about the early stages of their careers, what they wish they had known, what wisdom they share with others, and what are the keys to sustaining your career.

Closing song: Freeing by Antionio Plessas ’86

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore so...

Bobby, Denise, and Adam Deitch are all family, they're all drummers, and they're all Berklee alumni! Listen as Bobby and Denise tell their #BerkleeBoo story about getting married and having future Lettuce drummer, Adam. In what can only be described as Pass the Mic's cutest episode, we learn how the language of music forms this family's bond.

Closing song: Mango by Bitty (Beth Yapp ’19)

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no...

In this episode, we speak with Alex Collier about his work with the band and Amazon series, The Runarounds. We discuss the dichotomy between picture and sound, and between forming a band versus creating a band.

Who is your favorite TV band? Let us know on Instagram @BerkleeAlumni

We are kicking off 2026 with an interview featuring alum Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds ’82, Dean of the Professional Education Division. In this episode, she reflects on her life's journey from student, to industry professional, to dean. Dr. Hammonds also discusses what the Professional Education Division is working on now and her vision for what’s ahead.

Playing us out is a song called In from the Cold by alum Patric Skog ’97, featuring Christer Falk & Jens Ståbis.

The last episode of the year is here! In this episode we conducted our 2nd live recording in Nashville, Tennessee with alum and bassist for the Zac Brown Band, Matt Mangano '00, at Southern Ground Studios. Colleen also joins in and reminisces on her time as an R.A. and letting the Lo-Fi Masters record on campus.

Playing us out is a song by them called Comfortable with John Mayor and Clay Cook on vocals and Matt on bass.

We were thrilled to film our very first live podcast episode at the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library. Joining us are Boston Conservatory at Berklee Dean of Musical Theater, Krisha Marcano and Berklee Director of Industry Relations, Latoya Lee. The episode also features a live performance by Berklee student Su Yavuz.

A very special thanks to WGBH, Juan Jose Cadena, Sandra López Burke, and the entire studio crew.

Another year, another season 0f Pass the Mic! In this episode we talk with Alumni Achievement Award recipient and industry innovator Charlie Puth.

Also in this episode, Padriac loses another Brassy, Variations Signature Series gets its laurels, and episode 2 gets a big tease.

Playing us out: Sway by Kelsey Blackstone ’21

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore some of Berklee’s current philanthropic priorities and learn abou...

We're taking a queue from our favorite sitcoms and putting on a clip show for our season finale. In this episode hear Mark Kelley ’24 talk about his one degree of separation from Beyonce, and Jan Esbra ’16 and Mariya Ksondzyk (B.M. ’17, M.M. ’19, viola) discuss the impact of prison music programs. Matt Sallee ’19 nerds out on a capella and Natalie Toro shuts down Steven Spielberg's set.

Season 3 premiers in the fall. Thank you all for your support. We'll see you soon!

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the w...

Grab your jackets everybody! It may be 49 degrees in May in Boston, but we're having class outside. Jaquel and Padriac recap this episode at the park in the Pru. We say goodbye to our student employee and podcast editor, Jonah, and Zack Lucia joins us as we talk to Gus Borner about building a business with a freelance mentality.

Playing us out: The Bean Tones

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We...

Emmy-winner Joel Goodman has scored more than 150 film and television programs that have reseived 5 Oscar nominations and 30 Emmy awards. He has scored over 40 films for HBO, 4 ESPN 30 for 30 episodes, and composed the main theme for the long-running and critically acclaimed PBS series American Experience.

In this episode, Joel talks about his creative and professional processes, and how staying curious is a key to his success.

Playing us out is Evan Nachimson ’16 the third and final subject of our Variations Signature Series, which can be found at youtube.com/berkleealumni

Our students and faculty ar...

Boston Conservatory at Berklee alumna Natalie Toro (BFA ’86, musical theater) is a woman of many firsts. The first American to play Eponine in Les Miserables, the youngest actor to play Grizabella in Cats, and the first latina to play Eva Peron in Evita. Her career is full of life lessons, fabulous stories, and a flair only Natalie can bring.

We recorded this interview while Natalie was on campus to receive an Alumni Achievement Award.

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with yo...

In this episode, singer-songwriter/producer Kevin Ross sits down with Jaquel (only) to talk about life, the pivot, and the future of R&B.

Playing us out is Dhy Edwardsberry AKA Neon Blk. Dhy is featured in the premiere of our Berklee Alumni Variation Signature Series you can find on our YouTube Channel: BerkleeAlumni

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore some of Berklee’s current ph...

Robert Kraft (no, not that one) wrote music for TV and film, served as president of Fox Music for 20 years, and produced the soundtrack to your childhood. The man has done so much in music that we didn't even get to his Academy Award nomination!

In this episode, we talk about Robert's early recording career, filmmaking with Bruce Willis, and pursuing the work that you love.

For alumni impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles, we have compiled a list of resources here: https://college.berklee.edu/alumni/alumni-benefits

Our students and faculty...

Matt Sallee, member of the Grammy Award-winning a capella group Pentatonix, stopped by campus while on tour. We geeked out on a capella, talked about his family, and gave him some Berklee homework! We also preview Alumni Affairs happenings coming this spring.

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore some of Berklee’s current philanthropic priorities and learn about our schools and campuses in Boston and beyond. To learn more, pl...

In this episode Joy Allen, Chair of the Music Therapy Department and Director of the Music and Health Institute, shares five tips for using music to regulate stress. We interview Chandrika Tandon, former Berklee Trustee, Grammy Award-nominated artist, and trailblazing philanthropist. Chandrika talks about the journey of creating her latest album, Ammu's Treasures, and the importance of music in changing the world. Also in this episode, Padriac says "Power Station" weirdly. Jaquel is the consummate professional as always.

In our first ever College and Conservatory mashup, we interview college alumnus Jan Esbra ’16 and conservatory alumna Mariya Ksondzyk (B.M. ’17, M.M. ’19, viola) about their work teaching and performing music to prison populations.

We also get to learn more about student employees Deni and Luis and get to listen to alumni music!

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore some of Berklee’s current...

Alumni Achievement Award recipient Mark Kelley talks about his career path, landing the gig as bass player for The Roots, and playing in the house band for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and ingenuity will see no end. We invite you to explore some of Berklee’s current philanthropic priorities and learn about our schools and campuses in Boston and beyond. To learn more, please visit: https://www.berklee.edu/giving

Listen to the extended interview with Colleen Glenney ’01, Associate Director of Alumni Affairs. We discuss Colleen's performing career after Berklee, and the wealth of diversity within the alumni community.

If you would like to support Berklee, visit berklee.edu/giving

Listen to the extended interview between Dāna James B.M. ’09, Associate Director of Alumni Affairs, and Zack Lucia B.M. ’14, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs. We discuss the needs and resources unique to working on the West Coast.

If you would like to support Berklee, visit berklee.edu/giving

In this bonus episode, you willl hear an extended interview with Joe Dreeszen, Senior Director of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving, and Georgia Lipari (B.F.A ’18, dance), Project Manager for Alumni Affairs. We get to know a bit more about Joe and Georgia, and discuss what the merger between the College and the Conservatory mean to alumni.

If you would like to support Berklee, visit berklee.edu/giving

In this episode, you will meet the Alumni Affairs team! We are thrilled to speak with members of the alumni community, and love it when you reach out to us. Email [email protected] with any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions.

Segments:

Digial Engagement Team

Boston Office

West Coast Team

In this episode Padriac was very excited to use the term, "mixed bag." He wasn't wrong, however. We hear from alumni who attended the LA Brunch, we talk about the podcast's origin story, and we hear one of Jaquel's very first podcast interviews with the talented and business savvy BoCo alumna, Karen Peterson Corash (B.F.A. '76, dance). To cap it off, we are played out by singer-songwriter Sarah Eide ’11.

Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of music, dance, and theater all over the world, and with your support, their artistry and in...

In this episode, we speak with the Black Scholars Initiative (BSI) alumni panelists Therlande Louissaint, Abria Smith, and Jaymz Hardy-Martin III. We learn about the evolution of holistic education and we make some friends along the way!

To support programs like the Black Scholars Initiative, please visit berklee.edu/giving

In this episode Boston Conservatory at Berklee alumnus Quinton Morris (M.M. '04, violin) talks about his academic career as both student and educator, his search for nuturing in music, and the work ethic he found to create success.

We also say goodbye to Bill Belichick, and kick off 2024.

If you would like to support Berklee, visit berklee.edu/giving

News Theme 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Seth Saltzman is the senior vice president of Global Services at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), where he has worked in a variety of roles since 1984. He has extensive experience working with writers and publishers on issues related to music licensing, copyrights, royalties, and other matters.

ASCAP is a membership association of more than 640,000 U.S. composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. Through agreements with affiliated international societies, ASCAP also represents hundreds of thousands of music creators worldwide. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization created...

In this episode alumni Isaac Matus ’18, Jeremy Bosh ’12, and Nella Rojas ’15 visited the SOMOS Latinx pre-orientation program, and took some time to sit down with former Alumni Affairs staff member, Magdalena Abrego ’2016.

Also in this episode we learn about SOMOS Latinx from Berklee staff member Ty-Juana Flores, and fire off some rapid questions with student employees Luis and Denny.

If you would like to support Berklee, visit berklee.edu/giving

In this episode Jaquel and Padriac share some fun facts about themselves, and Tommy Torres ’93 talks about being in the studio with Ricky Martin, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and collaborating with Bad Bunny.

Berklee Alumni Achievement Award recipient Pinar Toprak ’00 talks about her process for scoring films, and the journey of pursuing her career.