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 Padriac 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=pgheJ1RdBVI52zryA Minute With | Hughie Stone Fish:https://youtu.be/lZniNy0f6bQ?si=NmWB5BX7-x_yV-7qThe Arts Project Syracuse:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JWcwBAgoOAXXty6Se96lY2GdPHllvYi5/view?usp=sharinghttps://tapsny.com/

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 ’13Our 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

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 GivingHui Kim ’22Tom Foster ’25Jonah Stuhr ’24Faride Blanco ’19Music:Dreams on Hold by Sarah Eide ’14Crayola by SheisaSpecial 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 ’86Our 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

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 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

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.