Past Encore Gala Guests

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.

Image by Mike Spencer

Legendary producer and Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton—“Dr. Funkenstein” himself—performs at the Berklee City Music Encore Gala’s 20th anniversary in 2014.

Image by Phil Farnsworth

Kool and the Gang celebrate good times at the Berklee City Music Encore Gala in 2013.

Image by Phil Farnsworth

Comedian and emcee Sinbad with singer/songwriter Michael McDonald who performed in the Superstar Ballroom at the 21st Annual Encore Gala.

Image by 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.

Image by Phil Farnsworth

Virtuosic bluegrass, jazz, and country violinist Mark O’Connor performs with students and delights attendees at the 2011 Berklee City Music Encore Gala.

Image by Phil Farnsworth

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.

Image by Phil Farnsworth

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.

Image by Mike Spencer

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.

Image by Phil Farnsworth

Proceeds from 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.

Image by Phil Farnsworth


Over the years, Berklee's Encore Gala has featured many distinguished guests who have shared their talents to support the Berklee the Berklee City Music program and student scholarships. In addition to those pictured above, Gala guests have included Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Guest, Tower of Power, James Brolin, Lalah Hathaway '94, and many more.

Read about past Berklee City Music Encore Galas at the links below: