Preparatory School

NEC Prep and College alumna Rebecca (Breer) Leonard '87 shares how her family's music store has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. After being shut down for two months, Rebecca and her husband are finding creative ways to help young beginners learn a new instrument remotely, as well as provide employment opportunities for local musicians.

In today's recap, four distinguished Black alumni share their vision of what NEC looks and feels like when it has lived up to its commitment of cultural equity and belonging. Our panelists are Carmen Johnson-Pájaro ’18 MM Violin Performance, deVon Russell Gray ’01 Composition, Darynn Dean ’18 Jazz Studies, and John Alexander Garner ’06 Vocal Performance.

Cheryl Susheel Bibbs ’70 MM discusses the social and political turmoil that led to the cancelation of the 1970 graduation ceremony, and shares her ideas and suggestions in support of breaking down "otherness" and increasing inclusion and diversity at NEC.

In today's recap, we examine the beginnings of Jazz Studies at NEC through conversation with founding chair Carl Atkins, current chair Ken Schaphorst, and alumna Susan Calkins ’83 MM, whose doctoral dissertation and book focuses on the history of Gunther Schuller and jazz at NEC.

In today's recap, we revisit the third NEC Perspectives Forum, in which Stanford Thompson sat down for a conversation with alumnus Dr. Darryl Harper '08 DMA, examining the history of NEC in the larger context of Black Studies and Jazz Studies programs across the United States.

The NEC Perspectives Forums, launched this summer, have provided an opportunity for students, alumni, and faculty to discuss how the past, present, and future of an NEC where everyone feels that they belong. The first set of forums focused on the Black experience at NEC, and lays the groundwork for future forums discussing a wide array of opportunities to create equity and belonging.

News about NEC students, alumni, and faculty members including Sydney Adedamola, Ethan Iverson, Juventas New Music Ensemble, NEC Symphonic Winds, J. Rosamond Johnson, Nicholas Kitchen, and more.