Performances + Events
New Initiative Elevates Teaching Artistry as a Core Professional Capability for Musicians
New England Conservatory today announced the launch of the Institute for Teaching Artistry, a first-of-its-kind initiative that elevates teaching artistry as a core professional capability for musicians in a conservatory. The ITA integrates performance and teaching, preparing artists to thrive in careers as performers, educators, and cultural leaders. NEC also announced a workshop series, beginning October 29, in which experts in their respective fields will provide interactive learning opportunities on a variety of topics on campus and in virtual settings. Each workshop is open to the public and free of charge.
“The Institute for Teaching Artistry is taking the lead to define the musical field of teaching artistry by elevating teaching and performing music,” New England Conservatory President Andrea Kalyn said. “For too long, conservatories have seen those as separate tracks. At NEC, we believe they belong together, because this integration supports the complete musician.’ It is both professionally powerful and deeply relevant, and it affirms the essential role and potential of music in society.”
The ITA was designed to be an approachable and comprehensive offering that is available to a wide range of musicians in the college and in the community and field through residencies, public programming, and NEC’s Expanded Education program. Through pedagogy and external programming, musicians have the opportunity to experience workshops, curriculum, and experiential learning beyond a classroom setting.
Teaching artistry is rapidly gaining recognition as an essential part of a professional musician’s life, opening pathways for artistry, leadership, and community impact. The ITA builds on the rapid success of NEC’s Teaching Artistry and Music Education Concentration, launched in 2023, and the more than 20-year history of its Community Performances and Partnerships Program. In 2025, the initiative graduated nearly three times as many students as the previous year and students across NEC led more than 1,200 teaching hours and nearly 200 performance events annually in Boston Public Schools, hospitals, senior centers, and community spaces — engaging more than 16,000 community members.
Programs & Offerings
The ITA stands apart by combining rigorous artistry with real-world impact. Highlights include:
Public Leadership: Free, open Teaching Artistry workshops and the Community Ensemble Residency Intensive, positioning NEC as a convening force in the field.
Capstone Innovation: Student-led projects that design new curricula, residencies, and teaching tools used immediately in classrooms and communities.
Expanded Access: Early childhood through adult programs that make teaching artistry training relevant across every stage of life.
With the ITA, NEC affirms its global leadership in advancing teaching artistry as a profession and a public good. The Institute serves as a hub for convening educators, organizations, and communities to strengthen the role of musicians in society.
Workshop Series
New England Conservatory will host eight workshops per year as part of its Teaching Artistry at NEC Workshop series. These workshops invite experts in their respective fields to present interactive learning opportunities on a variety of topics related to teaching artistry both on campus and in virtual settings. They are open to everyone including those in the NEC community, the broader teaching artistry field, and the general public. All of these workshops are free.
The first workshop, called “Teaching Beyond Control: Building Trust, Belonging, and Brilliance,” will be hosted by Stephanie A. Muñoz ’15 MM ’17 GD. Learn more.
Testimonials
Students and alumni affirm the transformational nature of teaching artistry at NEC:
“Being involved in teaching and education at NEC was such an incredible experience and laid the foundation for my career. Whether you pursue a career in performing, teaching, nonprofit administration, or something in between, you will develop the skills you need through Teaching Artistry.” — Zion Dyson ’23
“Taking part in the Teaching Artistry Concentration was one of the best decisions I made at NEC. It’s awesome to have real projects from school — like the curriculum I wrote for my capstone — that I can use in the real world.” — Aviana Gedler ’25
“This fellowship made me realize that musical storytelling is something I must continue in my career. It has brought me so much personal fulfillment and encouragement.” — Samuel Xu ’25 MM
Learn more about the Institute for Teaching Artistry.
