Jacob Collier receives Berklee honorary doctorate and tells graduates to ‘listen courageously’
Jacob Collier has received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, where he also delivered the college’s 2026 commencement address.
The seven-time Grammy Award-winning musician was honoured alongside singer-songwriter Jill Scott and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta at Berklee’s commencement ceremony, held on 9 May 2026 at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.
In his address to graduates, Collier spoke about listening, curiosity and the role of music as a force for connection. Drawing on his own experience as a performer, composer, producer and collaborator, he encouraged students to remain open to discovery and to trust the value of their individual creative voices.
Jacob Collier is a singer-songwriter, producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist whose genre-crossing work has brought seven Grammy wins and 16 nominations. He is the first British artist to win at least one Grammy for each of his first five studio albums.
Collier’s Berklee honour was followed days later by a second honorary doctorate, this time from New York University. He received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree at NYU’s 193rd All-University Commencement, held at Yankee Stadium on 14 May 2026.