Office of Academic Affairs

Mission

By fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we work with and for students to enrich and enhance their NEC experience.

We aim to support and engage the entire student body by modeling the institution’s core values which strive to create the highest standard of education, promote a supportive learning environment, and nurture innovation.

Through campus-wide cooperation and collaboration, our staff is dedicated to academic support, health and wellness, accessibility, student activities, residence life, and international services, encouraging students to cultivate their personal and professional skills that prepare and empower them to be active life-long learners and members of a global community.

We advocate for the whole student, providing access to resources and creating opportunities for their development.

We serve as a resource for students, creating a supportive environment for the individual student to explore their unique academic interests and goals. We advocate for students by collaborating with faculty and administrators to ensure student interests are central to institutional conversations and policies. By fostering a consistent relationship with each advisee throughout their entire NEC career, we build a strong foundation for students to take personal responsibility for their educational success. We come to know students as artists, scholars, and people in order to become better equipped to help them succeed in their studies and plan for a future beyond NEC.

 

Academic Advising

Academic Advisors within the Office of Academic Affairs collaborate with faculty, studio instructors, department chairs, and other administration and staff to provide opportunities for advising across departments and throughout the academic year. 

As a result of collaboration with their advisors, students will:

  • Develop the ability to articulate their values and goals for their education at NEC and the future beyond graduation 
  • Seek curricular and co-curricular opportunities to foster their continued growth 
  • Take responsibility for their educational path and success

 

Find Your Advisor

Richard Giarusso

Dean of Academic Affairs

richard.giarusso@necmusic.edu

Dean Giarusso advises students in the following majors: 

  • Chamber Music
  • Collaborative Piano
  • Conducting
  • Harvard Dual Degree (*all regardless of major)
  • Music History
  • Music Theory
  • Vocal Performance

 

Sara Stancliffe

Coordinator for Academic Advising

Fulbright Program Adviser and Scholar Liaison

sara.stancliffe@necmusic.edu

Sara advises students in the following majors: 

  • Brass
  • Composition
  • Contemporary Musical Arts
  • Jazz
  • Woodwinds

 

Steven Gregory

Coordinator for International Student Services

Primary Designated School Official

steven.gregory@necmusic.edu

Steven advises students in the following majors: 

  • Percussion
  • Strings (including Guitar and Harp)

 

Aidan Gorrell

Office Coordinator

aidan.gorrell@necmusic.edu

Aidan advises students in the Piano major.

 

Academic Advising Can Help Students…

  • Explore majors, minors, and concentrations
  • Prepare to register for courses
  • Set and meet academic and professional goals
  • Understand NEC policies and procedures
  • Remedy academic difficulties
  • Develop personal and professional habits for success
  • Connect with additional support services

 

Students with active NEC accounts have access to the Office of Academic Affairs Student Resources website, which includes:

  • Reminders for new student onboarding
  • Access to NEC Departmental websites and handbooks
  • Information on Ensembles and links to their websites and resources
  • Academic Advising guides to program curriculum, registration, and more

 

Our Partners

Admissions & Financial Aid

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

admissions@necmusic.edu

For more information and contact information for individual admission counselors, visit the Admissions page.

 

Center for Cultural Equity and Belonging

Monique Van Willingh, Director of Cultural Equity and Belonging

SB203

 

Community Performances and Partnerships

Tanya Maggi, Dean of Community Engagement and Professional Studies, Community Outreach and Partnerships

617-585-1243

Grace Allendorf, Administrative Director of Community Performances and Partnerships

617-585-1743

Erik Elmgren, Assistant Dean of Community Engagement and Teaching Artistry

617-585-1748

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

Compliance and Title IX

Katrina Chapman, Counsel and Director of Compliance, Title IX Coordinator

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

How to Contact: Email Katrina Chapman for all inquiries.

 

Entrepreneurial Musicianship

Ryan Mewhorter, Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program Manager

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

How to Contact: Email em@necmusic.edu for all general inquiries.

 

Office of Student Affairs

Christina Davis, Dean of Students and Campus Life

Disability Support Services

Residence Life

617-585-1313

SB224

 

Registrar’s Office

Robert Winkley, Registrar and Director of Institutional Research

Sue Wang, Assistant Registrar

Academic records

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

How to Contact: Email College Registrar. You can also leave a voicemail at 617-585-1310.

SB224

 

Residence Life

Patrick Hazilla, Resident Director

Residence Life and Housing

617-585-1188

SB224

 

Academic Programs

Chamber Music, Strings, Piano, Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion

Elizabeth Van Voorhis, Administrative Director for Chamber Music, Strings, Piano, Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion

Chorus

Sally Millar, Administrator for Chorus

Collaborative Piano and Composition

Ali Eaton, Administrative Manager

Jazz and Contemporary Musical Arts

Olivia Porada, Jazz & Contemporary Musical Arts Production & Administrative Director

Opera and Voice

Rich Frost, Administrative Director for Opera & Voice

Orchestra

Margie Apfelbaum, Director of Large Ensemble Administration

 

Questions

Current students with questions may contact us by email using the links above, or stop by our offices in 224 St. Botolph for an appointment. Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Summer hours may differ.

Prospective students are encouraged to direct their questions to New England Conservatory's Office of Admissions, where admissions counselors are available to provide answers and assistance.