ARP Foundation and Berklee Host A Centennial Concert Honoring Synthesizer Pioneer Alan R. Pearlman
Boston, MA, April 1, 2026 — The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation (ARP Foundation) is proud to announce Berklee & Friends Celebrate ARP @100, a special concert commemorating one hundred years of ARP Instruments founder and electronic music innovator Alan R. Pearlman. The event will take place on April 9 at 7:30 PM in Boston, Massachusetts, bringing together a diverse lineup of artists to honor Pearlman’s enduring influence across genres including classical, jazz, pop, electronica, and ambient music.
Presented in collaboration with Berklee College of Music and a community of pioneering musicians, the concert celebrates the legacy of ARP synthesizers—tools that helped define modern sound design and reshape contemporary music.
“This concert feels like a homecoming,” said Dina Pearlman-Ifil, Executive Director of the ARP Foundation and daughter of Alan R. Pearlman. “My father lived and worked just miles from Berklee, and it was here that many of his instruments were imagined and brought to life. To celebrate his centenary in this community—surrounded by musicians who continue to push boundaries in the same spirit—is incredibly meaningful.”
The evening will feature performances by an eclectic group of artists and composers, including:
- Michael Bierylo – A composer, performer, and professor emeritus at Berklee College of Music, Bierylo is known for his work in electronic and electroacoustic music, with performances spanning experimental and contemporary classical spaces.
- Richard Bru – A multidisciplinary artist and electronic musician currently attending Berklee College of Music whose work blends composition, performance, and visual media, often exploring immersive and avant-garde sonic environments.
- Jennifer Hruska Project – Led by vocalist and composer Jennifer Hruska, this project fuses jazz, experimental, and contemporary vocal traditions into dynamic, genre-defying performances. Jennifer serves as the Assistant Chair at Electronic Production and Design (EPD) at Berklee.
- Massimo Ferragamo – A composer and creative director whose work bridges fashion, art, and sound. Currently attending Berklee College of Music, Ferragamo brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to contemporary music performance.
- David Fredericks Sr – David Fredericks Sr. began his career with ARP Synthesizers in the early 1970s, where he conceived the now-legendary NAMM Jam—an experiential showcase that introduced many to the ARP 2600 for the first time. His career spans key roles at ARP, Lowrey, Moog, and Kurzweil, reflecting decades of influence across the evolution of electronic instruments.
- David Fredericks Jr - David is an award-winning composer for film, television, games, and commercials, and is a highly acclaimed sound designer, musician, synthesist, and music technologist. In addition to his work as a composer, David is an Assistant Professor of Electronic Production and Design at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Chances are, your favorite shows, films, or brands have already felt the impact of David’s work.
- Collin Russell – A composer, sound designer, and Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music specializing in modular synthesis and through-composed electronic music. His work spans ambient to experimental noise, blending traditional harmonic structures with evolving, organic modulation. In addition to scoring films and developing sound libraries, Russell serves on the Board of the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation.
- Kristina Warren – A composer and performer whose work spans ambient, experimental, and electroacoustic music, often focusing on texture and spatial sound. Kristina recently completed a weeklong Artist in Residence at the Foundation's ARPs for All Studio in March.
There will be a special historical segment revisiting the landmark 1974–75 NAMM Jam—an influential moment in early electronic music performance. This multimedia presentation will include a brief discussion and archival materials, alongside reflections inspired by Pearlman’s own writings following the event. Attendees will also hear firsthand anecdotal insights from David Frederick Sr., offering a rare and personal perspective on this formative chapter in ARP history.
This centennial celebration reflects the far-reaching cultural and musical impact of Alan R. Pearlman, whose innovations continue to inspire artists, engineers, and audiences around the world. From early electronic experimentation to today’s expansive sonic landscapes, ARP’s legacy remains deeply embedded in the evolution of music technology.
Date: April 9th, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, United States
For additional event details, ticketing information, and program updates, please visit:
https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/arp100-centennial/
For more information on the ARP Foundation, please visit: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/
About Alan R. Pearlman Foundation
The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Alan R. Pearlman, founder of ARP Instruments and a pioneer in electronic music technology. Through educational initiatives, artist collaborations, archival preservation, and public programming, the Foundation seeks to inspire future generations of musicians, engineers, and creators. By celebrating innovation and fostering community, the ARP Foundation continues Pearlman’s mission of expanding the boundaries of sound and musical expression.
Ashley Kinchen