The future of music, made here.

Two NEC Alumni Receive Award from LA Opera 

March 13, 2025

Tenor Anthony León ’21 MM, NEC Voice Department Chair Bradley Williams, and soprano Erica Petrocelli ’14, ’16 MM, ’18 AD

Left to right: Anthony León ’21 MM, NEC Voice Department Chair Bradley Williams, and Erica Petrocelli ’14, ’16 MM, ’18 AD

Tenor Anthony León ’21 MM and soprano Erica Petrocelli ’14, ’16 MM, ’18 AD have received the Eva and Marc Stern Artist Award from LA Opera, where the vocalists are currently singing the roles of Ferrando and Fiordiligi in a production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. León and Petrocelli are alumni of LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program.

“The annual award serves as an expression of gratitude to gifted artists who have made an indelible mark on LA Opera’s artistic profile,” the organization said in a press release, which quoted Marc Stern, former and now honorary chair of LA Opera’s board of directors, as saying, “Anthony and Erica have made deep impressions on our audiences with their uncommon musicality, outstanding depth and sensitivity and remarkably beautiful voices. We are proud to honor these beloved members of the LA Opera family who have touched our hearts with their artistry and who now represent the company with distinction as they continue building successful careers.”

“This company has been my home, and I am so grateful to the Sterns and to everyone here for their constant belief in me and their support of my career,” Petrocelli said in the release. “Every single thing I’ve done here has been so special and it’s wonderful to come back home to do what I love.” 

“When I decided to become an opera singer, LA Opera was the beacon of inspiration that propelled me forward,” León said, adding, “I am deeply grateful to Eva and Marc Stern for their efforts to change the world through philanthropy. Their belief in artists and the power of opera pushes the art form forward and encourages artists to be their best.”

Read LA Opera’s press release

Left to right: NEC President Andrea Kalyn, Anthony León ’21 MM, and NEC Voice Department Chair Bradley Williams

recent news
Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

June 18, 2025

Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

Read More
Violinist/Fiddler Lily Honigberg ’18, ’20 MM Details Dynamic Career

June 18, 2025

Violinist/Fiddler Lily Honigberg ’18, ’20 MM Details Dynamic Career

Read More
Music Theorist Andrew Schartmann Explores “Innovation Through Constraint”  

June 11, 2025

Music Theorist Andrew Schartmann Explores “Innovation Through Constraint”  

Read More
  • Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

    June 18, 2025

    Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

  • Violinist/Fiddler Lily Honigberg ’18, ’20 MM Details Dynamic Career

    June 18, 2025

    Violinist/Fiddler Lily Honigberg ’18, ’20 MM Details Dynamic Career

  • Music Theorist Andrew Schartmann Explores “Innovation Through Constraint”  

    June 11, 2025

    Music Theorist Andrew Schartmann Explores “Innovation Through Constraint”  

  • NEC Alumni Win Gold, Bronze Medals at Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

    June 9, 2025

    NEC Alumni Win Gold, Bronze Medals at Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

  • Minami Yoshida Wins Second Prize at Sibelius Violin Competition

    June 9, 2025

    Minami Yoshida Wins Second Prize at Sibelius Violin Competition

  • Cellist and NEC Alumna Lily Stern Awarded Fulbright Scholarship 

    June 5, 2025

    Cellist and NEC Alumna Lily Stern Awarded Fulbright Scholarship