Performances + Events
Expanded education
Shape your musical future today.
Expanded Education
Learn from the best, across the lifespan.
Music Education for All Ages
Your musical aspirations take center stage.
Whether you’re beginning on your first lesson or refining advanced techniques, our programs allow you to reach new heights. With expert faculty and state-of-the-art resources, you’ll experience both personal growth and artistic excellence.
Contact Expanded Education
Explore comprehensive programs for all ages
NEC Prep
High-quality music education programs for students aged 0-18, fostering musical growth and excellence in a nurturing environment.
High-quality music education programs for students aged 0-18, fostering musical growth and excellence in a nurturing environment.
Adult Education
Conservatory-quality music instruction tailored for adults, with flexible schedules, expert faculty, and a supportive community.
Conservatory-quality music instruction tailored for adults, with flexible schedules, expert faculty, and a supportive community.
Summer Programs
Intensive, high-quality music education through private lessons, ensembles, and immersive classes with world-class faculty.
Intensive, high-quality music education through private lessons, ensembles, and immersive classes with world-class faculty.
NEC PREP
Every Saturday during the school year, NEC transforms into a vibrant K-12 community music school for students ranging in skill from beginner to highly advanced.
NEC Prep welcomes more than 1,400 students from all over New England, each exploring their own unique musical path. Some students pursue professional careers; but most become enthusiastic lifelong musicians.
I’ve known that NEC is a good place. As a family that’s into music, I just knew that we wanted to take our kids there.”
prep parent
Our Partners
Realizing musical ambitions
In partnership with other arts and educational organizations, NEC is helping more people access the joy and power of music in all forms.
Bridge to Equity and Achievement in Music (BEAM) provides pathways of educational opportunity to highly engaged and talented middle and high school instrumental musicians from communities historically underrepresented in classical music professions.
In partnership with other arts and educational organizations, NEC is helping more people access the joy and power of music in all forms.
In partnership with Mayor Wu and the City of Boston, NEC hosted the “Everyone Can Make Music” program in August 2023.
program spotlight
Early Childhood Programming
Everyone Can Make Music
NEC offers numerous opportunities for children aged 0-7 to engage with music in early childhood, ensuring a solid musical foundation and a love for learning. Additionally, we partner with the City of Boston to provide high-quality music education to nearly 600 young learners in local communities.
Summer Orchestra Institute
Summer Orchestra Institute
NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute (SOI) is a four-week full symphony orchestra program for intermediate to advanced-level strings, brass, winds, and percussion students aged 13-18. Students develop communication and leadership skills, learning the joy of music-making while developing lasting friendships.
expanded education news
- Convocation 2026 Looks Ahead to a Bold NEC Industry Summit and Beyond
Students at New England Conservatory’s 159th Convocation last week were welcomed to the start of the academic year and the beginning of an education designed to prepare them for sustainable and impactful artistic lives. The … Read more - NEC Alumna Merryl Goldberg Recounts Musical Spy Mission in Memoir
Nineteen eighty-five was “the year of the spy.” Tensions between the United States and Soviet Union were high, and any thaw that might mark the end of the Cold War seemed like a distant possibility, … Read more - NEC Mourns the Passing of Richard Colwell
The New England Conservatory community mourns the passing of Richard Colwell, who died on August 22 at age 96. Richard chaired the Conservatory’s Music Education Department from 1993 to 1998. Richard’s career in music education … Read more
