My introduction of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at New England Conservatory’s Commencement ceremony on Sunday May 18, 2025. She received an honorary degree.
Michelle Wu was a musician, a pianist, before she was a politician—and she remains a musician today.
You might have heard her play George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue across the street at Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops, or music by Mozart with the Boston Symphony.
By the way, this morning, I confirmed that Michelle Wu is the mayor of Boston. As I was walking into the hall, up the stairs, I saw a flag hanging outside—a sign with a photo of a pianist (to be honest, it’s an NEC student)—and it says “Be Inspiring,” and then at the bottom of the sign, it says, Michelle Wu, Mayor. So that’s how I was sure…she was.
Michelle Wu has a piano in the mayor’s office in City Hall. Playing music can help you think. She’s said: “When you really get into the flow, brain memory and muscle memory and the keys kind of meld together and it’s almost as if you are part of the instrument.”
Michelle Wu came to Massachusetts and attended Harvard, and then Harvard Law School. There she met Elizabeth Warren. Of Michelle Wu, Senator Warren later said, “She gets out and does the work that needs to be done to make a difference in people’s lives.”
In 2022, NEC President Andrea Kalyn and Mayor Wu announced a new partnership between New England Conservatory and the City of Boston to substantially increase access to music education for Boston’s children.
This partnership, a collaboration with Ellis Early Learning and ABCD Head Start, is made possible by an anonymous gift of more than 14 million dollars. In a single year, nearly 600 children received music lessons. This gift and partnership increased available NEC Prep School scholarships by 150%.
Mayor Wu has championed the NEC Community Performances and Partnerships program, which annually serves close to 15,000 people through hundreds of events. People from many neighborhoods, of many ages, many ethnicities, and in many economic circumstances are served.
Mayor Wu, New England Conservatory is inspired by you, and deeply grateful for your partnership, your leadership, and advocacy for music.
President Kalyn, it is my honor to present Michelle Wu for the Honorary Degree—Doctor of Music.
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