Contemporary Musical Arts
![CMA-TopImage-Aoife-HorA Guest Artist Aoife O'Donovan '03 DP, performs with students of the Contemporary Musical Arts program.](https://necmusic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CMA-TopImage-Aoife-HorA.jpg)
Contemporary Musical Arts at New England Conservatory brings together a diverse group of the world’s finest young artists in a setting where they can grow as a community of composers, performers, and improvisers, learning from each other and from accomplished faculty. With an emphasis on ear training, technique, conceptual ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a wide range of improvisational traditions from the United States and around the world, the CMA program is at the forefront of groundbreaking music, innovation, and artistry.
![CMA-TopImage-Aoife-HorA Guest Artist Aoife O'Donovan '03 DP, performs with students of the Contemporary Musical Arts program.](https://necmusic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CMA-TopImage-Aoife-HorA.jpg)
![CMA_Co-chairs-HorA Contemporary Musical Arts co-chairs Eden Macadam-Somer and Hankus Netsky.](https://necmusic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CMA_Co-chairs-HorA.jpg)
CMA Department Co-Chairs Eden MacAdam-Somer and Hankus Netsky
Hankus Netsky and Eden MacAdam-Somer
From the Department Chairs
![CMA_Co-chairs-HorA Contemporary Musical Arts co-chairs Eden Macadam-Somer and Hankus Netsky.](https://necmusic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CMA_Co-chairs-HorA.jpg)
NEC’s Contemporary Musical Arts department is both a musical community and a rigorous training program for the complete 21st century musician. Our courses and ensembles are uniquely designed to help you develop the advanced aural and technical skills you will need to thrive in today’s challenging global musical scene. In CMA, you will work with incomparable faculty to develop your unique voice as a composer, performer, and improviser through deep engagement with diverse oral traditions, interdisciplinary collaborations, cross-departmental projects, and conceptual ideas.
Read moredegree programs
Take the Next Step
Apply to NEC
Are you interested in becoming an NEC Student? Begin the process by starting your application, requesting information, and learning more about our Admissions process.