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Joni Mitchell awarded honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music

Ten-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell added another accolade to her storied career on Tuesday, as she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music.

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Mitchell, 78, whose hits include “A Case of You,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Both Sides Now” and “Help Me,” shared photos on social media, including one shot of herself holding the degree while sporting a custom beret emblazoned with “Dr. Joni Mitchell,” Rolling Stone reported.

The singer was honored at a private gathering in Santa Monica, California, hosted by Linda and Russell Brown of MaddocksBrown Foundation, according to Variety.

“Well, luckily I’m too old to get a swelled head,” Mitchell said during the ceremony. “It’s a beautiful event. Words can’t describe it. I’ve got my good friends here with me. I wish my parents were alive. My mother in particular would be really proud of this because she wanted me to go to college. I went to art school and I quit after a year. She thinks of me as a quitter. So to see this achievement would be really impressive to her. I wish I could share it with her.”

Mitchell has been nominated for 17 Grammy Awards. Her 10 wins include a Lifetime Achievement Award, and she is a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In a statement, Terri Lynne Carrington, founder and artistic director of Berklee’s Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, said, “I am thrilled that we are finally able to honor Joni Mitchell. Her career and social principles stand for the values our institute pursues -- imagination, freedom, equity, and identity. I can think of no one more deserving.”

The evening featured musical tribute performances by Dianne Reeves, Esperanza Spalding, Säje, and Berklee students Devon Gates, Julian Miltenberger, Milena Casado and Nika Ko, Variety reported. The group performed songs from Mitchell’s catalog, including “A Case of You,” “Love,” “Both Sides Now” and “River.” Special guests included Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, according to Variety.