Alumna Returns to The Hill With the Renaissance Orchestra

When Alabama A&M University’s Dusk 2 Dawn returns this Homecoming, alumna Mocha Wells will experience the longtime tradition from an entirely different perspective. Wells, who attended Dusk 2 Dawn as an AAMU freshman in 2009, will return to The Hill as manager for the Renaissance Orchestra, the featured entertainment for the revived all-night alumni pep rally and after-party.

“It really is a full-circle moment for me,” Wells said. “I experienced Dusk 2 Dawn as a student, and now I’m coming back as an alumna with The Renaissance Orchestra. I never would have imagined when I was a student that I would return to The Hill in this capacity.”

Dusk 2 Dawn returns Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10 p.m. at the AAMU Event Center, bringing back a Homecoming tradition that ended in 2009. The Renaissance Orchestra, also known as “The People’s Orchestra,” will provide the night’s featured entertainment.

For Wells, the performance brings together two important parts of her journey — Alabama A&M and music.

“I’m excited for everyone to experience what we bring, but for me personally, there’s something really special about bringing the orchestra back to The Hill,” she said. “I’m extremely proud of how far The Renaissance Orchestra has come, so having the opportunity to bring what we do back to The Hill is really exciting.”

Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from AAMU in 2014. She later attended Prairie View A&M University to earn her MBA and has returned to AAMU to complete that degree.

Now living in Atlanta, Wells works for The Home Depot in supply chain as an innovation and automation engineer. Outside of her engineering career, she serves as booking manager for the Renaissance Orchestra and Signature Ensembles. Wells remembers the energy surrounding Dusk 2 Dawn during her freshman year and said its return offers an opportunity to connect generations of Bulldogs.

“There’s so much tradition tied to HBCU Homecomings, and I think there’s something special about bringing back an event alumni remember while giving current students a chance to experience it for themselves,” Wells said. “It connects different generations of Bulldogs. Alumni get to enjoy the nostalgia, while current students get to create their own memories and make the tradition their own.”

She said that sense of connection is what made Dusk 2 Dawn an important part of the Homecoming experience.

“Those are the nights where you reconnect with old friends, make new memories, laugh about old ones, and really feel that sense of community,” Wells said. “That’s what Homecoming is all about.”

Wells hopes this year’s return creates the same kind of lasting memories.

“They can expect a night they’re going to be talking about for a long time,” she said. “The goal is for people to leave saying, ‘You had to be there.’ Great music, great energy, great people, and an unforgettable night on The Hill.”

For Wells, however, the return is about more than one night.

“A&M will always be a special part of my story,” she said. “The Hill gave me far more than a degree — it gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and even my fiancé.”

Her journey since graduation has allowed her to build a career in engineering and supply chain while remaining connected to her passion for music. Now, those paths are bringing her back to where her college experience began.

“Being able to bring that part of my journey back to The Hill makes this experience even more meaningful,” Wells said. “A&M gave me a foundation I’ll always be proud of, and I’m grateful to give back to the place that gave me so much.”

For Dusk 2 Dawn tickets and a complete list of Homecoming 2026 events, visit AAMU Homecoming 2026.