Dear Members of the Berklee Community,
On July 10, Mike Denneen, an esteemed faculty member, accomplished producer and engineer, and strong presence in the Boston music community, passed away at age 54 from cancer at his home in Watertown, Massachusetts, surrounded by family and good friends.
An associate professor in the Music Production and Engineering Department since 2011, Mike was a successful producer, engineer, and keyboardist whose credits include recordings with venerable musicians Aimee Mann B.M. ’80, Patty Larkin ’74 ‘02H, Letters to Cleo, Kay Hanley, the Click Five, Guster, Howie Day, Fountains of Wayne, and Morphine. He also has credits on movie soundtracks such as Magnolia, and national branding campaigns for L.L. Bean, Dr Pepper, and the National Football League.
Lenny was a teacher’s teacher. He had a special ability to motivate and inspire students while guiding them through their learning process and musical journey. “We all have a destiny, and I try to make students realize that each of them is a unique individual and you don’t have to run anyone else’s race. I connect the fact that if we can find the one unique part, that’s what’s going to make you separate from the masses. The upside is that we all have something to contribute, no matter what. Each student has something that the world can only get from that particular student.”