Liederabend
J.J. Penna Reflects on March’s Liederabend, "This is the Place: Voices of Exile and Exodus," Curated by Tanya Blaich
In an insightful reflection, NEC voice faculty member J.J. Penna shared his reactions to March's Liederabend performance, This is the Place - Voices of Exile and Exodus. Curated by Tanya Blaich and featuring NEC student vocalists and pianists, this Liederabend explored displacement through the voices of travelers, immigrants, and refugees across the ages. 
Nicholas Kitchen
Nicholas Kitchen on Interpreting Beethoven’s Secret Code
NEC violin faculty and founding member of the Borromeo String Quartet Nicholas Kitchen was featured in a recent piece in The Atlantic for his work decoding Ludwig van Beethoven's original manuscripts. 
Valerie Coleman Masterclass 2
Grammy-Nominated Flutist and Composer Valerie Coleman Completes Residency with NEC Composition Department
In late March, Grammy-nominated flutist and composer Valerie Coleman came to campus as NEC’s 2024 Malcolm Peyton Artist-in-Residence. During her residency, Coleman led a colloquium, engaged in a Q&A session, and conducted a master class with students in NEC's Composition Department. Additionally, she provided valuable coaching to NEC's Honors Wind Ensemble, which performed in her residency showcase. 
Kalia Vandever
Internationally Acclaimed Trombonist and Composer Kalia Vandever Joins New England Conservatory’s Jazz Studies Faculty
New England Conservatory’s Jazz Studies Department has appointed Grammy Award-winning trombonist and composer Kalia Vandever to its faculty beginning in the fall of 2024. 
So Young Park
Opera Alumna Sings Leading Role with the Metropolitan Opera
Soprano So Young Park ’12 MM, ’14 AD sang the role of Juliette in the Metropolitan Opera's final performance of Gounod's Romeo and Juliette on Saturday, March 30, under the baton of conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Park took the leading role after a casting change
NEC Exhibit at MEM
New England Conservatory Donates 52 Rare, Historic Instruments for Exhibit at Sanlıkol Musical Instruments Museum in Bursa, Turkey
Visitors to the Nilüfer Municipality Dr. Hüseyin Parkan Sanlıkol Musical Instruments Museum (MEM) in Bursa, Turkey, can now enjoy a brand-new exhibit comprising 52 rare, historic musical instruments—some as old as 400 years—donated from New England Conservatory’s collection. NEC faculty member Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol is the curator and project director for MEM. 
Andrew Byun ’25 GD
Cellist Andrew Byun ’25 GD Wins First Prize at Windsor Festival International String Competition
Cellist Andrew Byun ’25 GD won first prize at the 9th Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC) on March 15. The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron of the Windsor Festival, presented Byun with the trophy at Eton College following the competition’s final round. 
Avery Fisher Ceremony
New England Conservatory Students & Alumni Awarded Three Avery Fisher Career Grants
Recipients of the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant were announced last Wednesday, March 20. Among the honorees to receive the prestigious grant, three are either current students or alumni of New England Conservatory: the Balourdet Quartet, violinist Julian Rhee ’22, ’24 MM, and pianist Clayton Stephenson ’23 Harvard/NEC, ’25 GD.
Nathan Amaral
Nathan Amaral ’24 GC Among Classic FM's “30 Young Musicians Reshaping Classical Music"
Classic FM has named internationally awarded solo violinist  Nathan Amaral ’24 GC on its list of “30 young musicians reshaping classical music.” 
Katie Franke
NEC Alumna is First-Ever Female Trombonist in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band
In October 2023, NEC alumna and tenor trombonist Katie Franke ’22 MM commenced her role as the first-ever female trombonist and low brass player in the history of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band. As a female-identifying musician in the male-dominated world of trombone performance, Franke has already made history with her appointment to the U.S. Marine Band and continues to break down barriers for fellow female trombonists.