Performances + Events
Today, New England Conservatory (NEC) announced the 2026 Summer Chamber Music Young Artist Program, a tuition-free, nine-day intensive experience for young string and piano musicians hosted on NEC’s historic Boston campus August 8–16, 2026.
A first-of-its-kind program, this experience offers aspiring young musicians between the ages of 13 and 19, including recent high-school graduates, the opportunity to study, rehearse, and perform free of cost under the mentorship of world-renowned faculty representing dynamic musical expertise. Students will also rehearse and perform alongside Mentor Artists, existing NEC students and alumni, to create two levels of mentorship to enhance their experience.
“This year’s Young Artist Program offers an unprecedented opportunity for the next generation of performers to learn and excel under the instruction of the world’s most distinguished musicians and alongside talented student and alumni mentors,” said Andrea Kalyn, President of New England Conservatory. “We are proud to offer this program free of tuition and are confident we can attract a broad, dynamic group of young musicians to participate in this unparalleled experience right here on NEC’s campus.”
“The faculty participating in this program are second to none and are highly sought after throughout the world,” said Ara Gregorian, Artistic Director of the Summer Chamber Music Young Artist Program and Chair of String and Piano Chamber Music. “NEC is proud to bring together this amazing group of faculty and to offer this rare opportunity for young people to be coached and mentored to achieve the highest level of music-making right here on our Boston campus.”
Throughout the summer program, up to 25 students will be grouped into chamber music ensembles for rehearsals, coachings, workshops, and master classes, interacting with esteemed faculty and mentors in myriad ways each day. The Young Artist Program will culminate in a series of performances featuring participants and Mentor Artists performing side-by-side in Jordan Hall to showcase the skills and artistry garnered during the intensive session.
Young Artist Program Faculty
Ara Gregorian (Artistic Director), violin/viola
Violinist and violist Ara Gregorian is known for his dynamic performances and artistic leadership. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician in major halls including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Kennedy Center, and internationally in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, now celebrating its 26th anniversary, is a member of the Cooperstown Quartet, and has recorded for NPR, WQXR, and the Bridge and Kleos labels. Gregorian is Chair of String and Piano Chamber Music at New England Conservatory.
Paul Biss, violin
Paul Biss is a violinist, violist, and conductor, and has performed extensively around the world in North America, Europe, Israel, and Korea. A seasoned chamber musician, Biss has participated in numerous festivals, including Marlboro, Ravinia, La Jolla, and Lockenhaus. He taught chamber music and violin at Indiana University for over 25 years and is currently on the violin and chamber music faculty at New England Conservatory. His students have won numerous international competitions and hold positions in leading orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and academic institutions in the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Miriam Fried, violin
Miriam Fried is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent violinists, known for her technical mastery and deep musical insight. She has appeared as soloist with major orchestras including Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, the Israel Philharmonic, and the London Symphony. She was first violinist of the Mendelssohn String Quartet until it disbanded after 30 years, won the Paganini Competition in 1968, and became the first woman to win the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 1971. Fried is on the violin faculty at New England Conservatory and is sought after as a teacher worldwide.
Nicholas Kitchen, violin
Violinist Nicholas Kitchen is celebrated for his dynamic work as soloist, chamber musician, educator, and innovator in music technology. He is a founding member of New England Conservatory’s Quartet-in-Residence of almost 30 years–the Borromeo String Quartet. He is the Artistic Director of the Heifetz International Music Institute, and is known for creating new string quartet transcriptions of major keyboard works, including Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, and for his groundbreaking insight into Beethoven’s manuscripts. Kitchen is a member of the violin and chamber music faculties at New England Conservatory.
Yeesun Kim, cello
Yeesun Kim is a founding member of the acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet, New England Conservatory’s Quartet-in-Residence. She has performed throughout the world in venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Tonnehall in Zurich, and Wigmore Hall in London, and at festivals including Marlboro, Ravinia, Santa Fe, Music@Menlo, and Four Seasons. Kim has appeared on NPR’s “Performance Today”, “Live from Lincoln Center”, and NHK Radio and Television in Japan, and is on the cello and chamber music faculties at New England Conservatory.
Kim Kashkashian, viola
Kim Kashkashian made history when she won the coveted Grammy Award – the first-ever given to a violist – for her recordings of Ligeti and Kurtag solo viola works. She has performed as soloist with the orchestras of Berlin, London, Vienna, Milan, Amsterdam, New York, and Cleveland, and in venues throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. She has recorded more than 25 solo albums for ECM, and received a Cannes Classical Award, the Edison Prize, and the Opus Klassik Prize. Kashkashian is the founder of Music for Food, a musician-led initiative supporting hunger relief, and is on the chamber music faculty at New England Conservatory.
Vivian Hornik Weilerstein, piano
Vivian Hornik Weilerstein has performed internationally as soloist and chamber musician and is widely recognized for her collaborations with some of today’s most eminent artists and ensembles. She is a member of the Weilerstein Trio and the Weilerstein Duo, and has recorded extensively for the Koch, Arabesque, and Azica labels. She has performed at the Marlboro, Aspen, Banff, and Verbier festivals, and regularly returns as faculty at Yellow Barn and the Perlman Music Program. Weilerstein is the Director of the Professional Piano Trio Program at New England Conservatory, where she serves on the piano, collaborative piano, and chamber music faculties.
Donald Weilerstein, violin
Donald Weilerstein has concertized throughout the world as both soloist and chamber musician. For 20 years, he was the first violinist and a founding member of the world-renowned Cleveland Quartet, from which his recordings can be heard on the RCA, Telarc, CBS, Phillips, and Pro Arte labels. He performs widely with the Weilerstein Trio and the Weilerstein Duo, and has appeared at the Caramoor, Tanglewood, Mostly Mozart, Salzburg, and Verbier festivals. Weilerstein is on the violin faculties at New England Conservatory and The Juilliard School. His students have won major international competitions and are members of some of the world’s leading chamber music ensembles.
NEC’s 2026 Summer Chamber Music Young Artist Program, which is tuition-free and includes room and board, will take place August 8–16. Learn more and apply today.
