American Academy of Arts and Sciences Elects Kashkashian
Grammy Award–winning member of NEC viola faculty and “Music for Food” founder joins the 236th Academy class
New Members Include 213 Scholars, Scientists, Writers,
Artists, and Civic, Business and Philanthropic Leaders
Internationally respected violist and faculty member Kim Kashkashian has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Kashkasian joins a group of 213 new members whom the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected to its 236th class. The 2016 inductees include some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, as well as civic, business, and philanthropic leaders. A private induction ceremony will be held for the newly elected members on October 8, 2016, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Since the fall of 2000, Kim Kashkashian has taught viola and chamber music at New England Conservatory. An ECM recording artist since 1985, Kashkashian received a Grammy Award for her 2012 recording of works by Kurtág and Ligeti, after several previous nominations. She is a founding member of Music for Food, launched in 2010 as a means for musicians to fight hunger in their home communities.
Kashkashian discussed her recent appointment:
"To advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people is the stated purpose of the Academy of Arts and Sciences. It is a heartfelt and precise guide star to follow: be it working with talented young musicians at NEC, expanding the activities of Music for Food, or walking gently, yet firmly in our world. It is a great honor and privilege to join together with friends and colleagues of all disciplines in the Academy and to cherish and expand upon these ideals."
Among NEC's community of musicians, other members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences include former NEC President, cellist Laurence Lesser; Richard Stoltzman of the clarinet faculty; and the late Daniel Pinkham and Joseph Silverstein of the faculty.