Performances + Events
Vanessa Trien points out that “making music is a richly multisensory experience and is one of the most beneficial activities to engage in with even the youngest of infants.” Trien, Director of Early Childhood Education in New England Conservatory’s Expanded Education Department, is dedicated to serving children across Greater Boston with an eye on the impact that work has on the local community and beyond.
In October, Trien was named a 2026 Community Hero by Action for Boston Community Development, which is part of the Community Action Network. Trien oversees early childhood music education offerings in 31 classrooms across four Head Start early learning centers in Dorchester and Mattapan. Her involvement with Head Start is part of NEC’s Early Childhood Pilot Program, now in its fourth year. ABCD administers the Head Start and Children’s Services program in Boston which provides families across the city with “education, nutrition, and physical and mental health” resources.
“I am honored to accept this award from ABCD on behalf of NEC and the many educators, musicians, partners, and supporters who bring this work to life,” Trien said.
“We are proud to recognize Vanessa Trien as a Community Hero,” said ABCD’s Vice President of Head Start & Children’s Services Flossy Calderón. “She has been instrumental in building and sustaining a remarkable partnership between New England Conservatory and ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services, ensuring that the transformative power of music reaches some of our youngest learners. Through her vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to equitable access to the arts, Vanessa has helped create opportunities that enrich the lives of hundreds of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, families, and educators.”
In addition to early childhood music education programs in the community, NEC offers programming on campus for children ages 0 to 8, including caregiver-child group courses, and classes and ensembles for students 4 years and older. Trien has also started teaching a new elective course for NEC college students titled “Music in Early Childhood: Teaching and Inspiring Young Learners.”
“Every child is born musical and deserves a rich musical life and education,” Trien said. “Through joyful experiences with singing, movement, active listening, and musical play, children develop both musically and developmentally while discovering ways to communicate and connect with others. For families, making music together offers meaningful moments of connection. In classrooms, shared music-making builds community and a sense of belonging. My work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves opportunities to learn, create, and belong through music.”
Read a Q&A with Vanessa Trien and learn about Early Childhood Education opportunities at NEC. Registration is open now.
