Melissa Etheridge '80 Talks to Berklee about Performing with the Pops, Activism, and Being "in Your Truth"

Melissa Etheridge '80, H'06 talks about performing with the Boston Pops, lessons she learned at Berklee, the importance of being "in your truth," and her activism.

By
Lesley Mahoney
June 24, 2014

Melissa Etheridge performs with the Boston Pops.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Student Deni Hlavinka performs with her band, the Western Den.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Student Sarah McKenzie performs, "That's It, I Quit!"

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Ahmad El Haggar is a student vocalist and oud player from Cairo, Egypt.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Recent alumna Sarah Walk performed "Still Frames."

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Melissa Etheridge performs with the Boston Pops.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Melissa Etheridge '80, H'06 sat down with Berklee on June 12, 2014, hours before she performed with the Boston Pops—her first-ever appearance with a symphony orchestra—for Berklee Night at the Pops, an evening that also showcased four up-and-coming Berklee alumni and student artists. The event also served as a kick-off for Soundbreaking, the college's new $100 million fund-raising campaign.

In this exclusive interview with Berklee, the Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter talks about performing with the Boston Pops, lessons she learned at Berklee, the importance of being "in your truth," and her activism for such causes as LGBT rights and the environment.

Watch the interview with Melissa Etheridge: