by Marti Epstein – Vice President, Full-Time Faculty
Professor, Composition

Commencement is one of my favorite Berklee activities. It can be a great opportunity to see and socialize with colleagues, and you get to wear incredibly festive regalia. But the reason I go every year is because it is a profoundly moving experience to see the students whom we've guided and shepherded through the academic and artistic processes reach the end point of their Berklee lives. To see them jubilantly walk across the stage when their name is called always brings tears to my eyes. And, something that I enjoy even more is meeting their parents at the reception after. Not that we should do things only to receive gratitude- but I have never met a parent who wasn't effusive in their "thanks."

Because I teach at both the College and the Conservatory, last year I attended both ceremonies. It was an exhausting, but wonderful day. I will do it again this year. You recently received an email inviting you to commencement. Will you join me?