Past Event Highlights
Gloria Estefan joins the Berklee City Music All-Stars in a performance of one of her hit songs, “Coming Out of the Dark,” at the 22nd annual Encore Gala, a benefit for the Berklee City Music program, which enables young people from underserved communities to reap the academic, social, and emotional benefits of a world-class education in music.
Legendary producer and Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton—“Dr. Funkenstein” himself—performs at the Berklee City Music Encore Gala’s 20th anniversary in 2014.
Legendary producer and entertainer Nile Rodgers '18H and CHIC perform at the Berklee City Music Encore Gala’s 24th anniversary in 2018.
Hip-hop legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run DMC performs at the 22nd Encore Gala’s anniversary in 2016.
Kool and the Gang celebrate good times at the Berklee City Music Encore Gala in 2013.
Comedian and emcee Sinbad with singer/songwriter Michael McDonald who performed in the Superstar Ballroom at the 21st Annual Encore Gala.
Mike Spencer
The Family Stone gets the city of Boston onto the dance floor with a funky set at the 2012 City Music Encore Gala.
Virtuosic bluegrass, jazz, and country violinist Mark O’Connor performs with students and delights attendees at the 2011 Berklee City Music Encore Gala.
Funk and jazz trombonist Fred Wesley, best known for his vast catalogue of work with Godfather of Soul James Brown and the J.B.’s, leads his band in the Starlight Ballroom at the 2014 Berklee City Music Encore Gala.
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, renowned for his work with influential early hip-hop group Run-D.M.C., busts rhymes for donor-attendees at the 2016 Berklee City Music Encore Gala.
The Average White Band, best known for the hit song “Pick Up the Pieces,” packs the dance floor at the 2011 Berklee City Music Encore Gala.
Proceeds from Amplify Berklee, formerly known as the Encore Gala, support the Berklee City Music program and provide funding for students in the program to attend Berklee. The awards are announced at the end of the annual Berklee City Music Scholarship Concert, pictured here.
Over the years, Berklee's largest fundraiser has featured many distinguished guests who have shared their talents to support student scholarships from the Berklee City Music program. In addition to those pictured above, Gala guests have included James Brolin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Guest, Chaka Khan, Lalah Hathaway '94, LL Cool J ’24P, Nile Rodgers '18H, Tower of Power, and many more.
Read about past years at the links below: