Alumni Beat

	In May, Berklee alumni chapter leaders representing 16 domestic and international chapter locations gathered at Berklee.
	In June, members of the Austin Berklee Alumni Chapter shared their tunes at the Gibson Guitar Showroom. Chapter leader Sarah Sharp '95 (in the white dress) and Marjorie O'Malley Berklee's assistant vice president for institutional advancement hosted the event.
	San Francisco Chapter coleader Hermann Lara plays saxophone at a jam session with Puerto Rico chapter leader Luis Santiago (congas), Berklee staff member Pedro Verdugo (bass), and student Giancarlo de Trizio (drums) during the chapter leader meeting in May.
	Alumna Robin Kinchen, the chapter coleader for New Orleans, shared an original song at the jam.

Happy summer, everyone. I am originally from the South, so I am enjoying the belated return of warm weather to Boston. We have held several alumni events since my last column. On March 26, at the annual alumni reception at the Massachusetts Music Educators Association convention at Boston's Seaport Hotel, alumni gathered, and a great time was had by all.

On April 16, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Singers Showcase, alumnae Paula Cole '90, Lalah Hathaway '90, and Darcel Wilson joined students to present an incredible show in the Berklee Performance Center.

During the last weekend of May, 20 Berklee alumni chapter leaders from the United States and London gathered on campus for a conference. This was the second time we've brought this group together in Boston, and the event fostered an exchange of ideas, suggestions, and music. The conference also featured an impromptu jam with the chapter leaders and the admissions alumni representatives who also happened to be in town that weekend. The event was such fun and featured such talent! As a result of the chapter leader gathering, we have wonderful things in store for the various chapters. Thank you, chapter leaders for your leadership, hard work, and dedication on behalf of your alumni communities. These terrific folks are advocates for you, our alumni, and a great asset to the alumni office.

On June 4, Brandon DeMaris '04, who works for Gibson Guitar, opened the company's fabulous showroom in Austin, TX, for an evening of socializing among Berklee alumni and friends. Performances of original music by songwriters and performers Dave Madden, Dan Barrett, Sarah Sharp '95 and her band Buffalo Speedway, and Mark Abernathy '00 were the highlights of the evening. The Gibson showroom was the perfect setting for the event. Everyone agreed that this songwriters-in-the-round show should be a regular event in Austin. There are other Berklee alumni in Texas for whom we don't have contact information. Please update your address so we can invite you to upcoming events (see information below).

We welcome the members of the class of 2009 who recently graduated to become members of the Berklee alumni network. Make a point to connect with them when you run into them at events in your chapters.

Finally, as you see, your alumni magazine has a different look. The new design commemorates the magazine's 20th anniversary. Thanks to all who have sent in alum notes or been featured in Berklee today over the years. It's your stories that make this magazine a good read and a way to stay connected, so send your alumni notes and address changes to Emily Dufresne, our alumni coordinator at edufresne@berklee.edu. Also, don't forget to create or update your profile in the online directory on the alumni website at http://alumni.berklee.edu.

Until next time, and have a great summer,

Karen Bell, '90

Director of Alumni Affairs