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NEC Prep Tuition, Fees, and Payment Information
Learn more about tuition, fees, and payment options for NEC Prep programs. We’re committed to providing clear, accessible information to help families plan with confidence.
Tuition and Fees
The listed rates are in effect for the 2025-2026 school year. A $50 registration fee is charged once per term (academic year or summer) per student. Year-long course registrations apply to the full academic year (both fall and spring semesters) and do not require students to re-enroll for the spring semester.
Due at the time of registration: 20% tuition deposit, $50 registration fee and $50 payment plan fee (per payment plan).
The remaining four installments are drawn automatically from a valid credit card furnished at the original registration or via check as agreed upon by the registrar, on the following dates:
- August 5, September 5, October 5, and November 5
| Lesson Type Sold in packages of 30 or 36 | 30 Lessons | 36 Lessons |
| 30 minute lessons | $2,400 | $2,800 |
| 45 minute lessons | $3,300 | $3,960 |
| 60 minute lessons | $4,200 | $5,040 |
Higher rates apply for some instructors. Rates will be reflected in the online registration system. You may contact the Expanded Education office at ee@necmusic.edu to inquire about your instructor’s rate.
Please confirm the number of lessons and the duration of those lessons with the instructor before registering to ensure the student receives the correct number of lessons for the year.
Suzuki students are required to register separately for the appropriate Suzuki Group Class.
To be eligible for discounted tuition on year-long activities (classes, chamber music, jazz ensembles, and large ensembles), students are required to register for 30 or 36 Preparatory School private lessons for the year. Any approved cancellation or reduction of lessons below 30 will result in a reversal of these discounts.
Additional Fees:
- Registration Fee: $50
- Payment Plan Fee: $50 per payment plan
Due at the time of registration: 20% tuition deposit, $50 registration fee and $50 payment plan fee (per payment plan)
The remaining four installments are drawn automatically from a valid credit card number furnished at the original registration or via check as agreed upon by the Registrar, on the following dates:
- August 5, September 5, October 5, and November 5
| Class Name | Fee | Private Lesson Discount* |
| Alexander Technique: Mindfulness and Ease in Performing | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Angel Ramon Rivera Intermediate Piano Seminar | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Angel Ramon Rivera Senior Piano Seminar | $2,050 | $1,947.50 |
| Composition Seminar | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Dalcroze Eurhythmics | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Musical Foundations (Semester) | $699 | $664.05 |
| Diction For Singers | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Intermediate Piano Seminar | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Jazz Ear Training (all levels) | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Jazz Explorers | $1400 | $1,330 |
| Jazz History | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Jazz Styles | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Jazz Theory (all levels) | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Junior Piano Seminar | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Let’s Improv Classical! Improvisation for Classical Kids | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Little Penguins Prep Chorus | $699 | $664.05 |
| Musical Discovery for Little Penguins (Semester) | $699 | $664.05 |
| Musical Explorers | $699 | $664.05 |
| Oboe Reed-Making Class | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Piano Explorers: Preparing for Private Lessons (Spring 2026) | $699 | $664.05 |
| Sight-Reading for Pianists (Semester) | $699 | $664.05 |
| Suzuki Group Classes | $1199 | $1139.05 |
| Theory & Ear Training (all levels) | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Vocal Theatre Lab | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Young Composers Seminar | $1,400 | $1,330 |
Additional Fees:
- Registration Fee: $50
- Payment Plan Fee: $50 per payment plan
Due at the time of registration: 20% tuition deposit, $50 registration fee and $50 payment plan fee (per payment plan)
The remaining four installments are drawn automatically from a valid credit card number furnished at the original registration or via check as agreed upon by the Registrar, on the following dates:
- August 5, September 5, October 5, and November 5
| Ensemble Name | Fee | Private Lesson Discount* |
| Youth Philharmonic Orchestra | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| Youth Symphony | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| Youth Repertory Orchestra | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| Junior Repertory Orchestra | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| String Chamber Orchestra | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| String Repertory Orchestra | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Preparatory String Orchestra (10:30 a.m.) | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Preparatory String Orchestra (8:30 a.m.) | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| String Training Orchestra (8 a.m. or 9 a.m.) | $1,200 | $1,140 |
| Youth Jazz Orchestra | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble Concert Band | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| Junior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble | $1,500 | $1,425 |
| Youth Brass Ensemble | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Friday Baroque Ensemble | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Baroque Chamber Orchestra | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Youth Chorale | $1,400 | $1,330 |
| Chamber Chorus | $1,200 | $1,140 |
| Children’s Choir | $1,200 | $1,140 |
| Jazz Ensembles | $1,300 | $1,235 |
| Chamber Music (all groups) | $1,300 | $1,235 |
| Contemporary Musical Arts Ensemble (CMA) | $1,300 | $1,235 |
Additional Fees:
- Registration Fee: $50
- Payment Plan Fee: $50 per payment plan
These policies are in effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Students may withdraw from courses, chamber music groups and jazz ensembles and receive a refund according to the following schedule:
- Before the first scheduled class or rehearsal, full tuition refund.
- After the first scheduled class or rehearsal, 75% tuition refund.
- After the second scheduled class or rehearsal, 50% tuition refund.
- After the third scheduled class or rehearsal, 25% tuition refund.
- After the fourth scheduled class or rehearsal, no refund.
Students may withdraw from large ensembles (orchestras, wind ensembles and choruses) and receive a refund according to the following schedule:
- Before the first scheduled rehearsal, full tuition refund less 20% non-refundable deposit.
- After the first scheduled rehearsal, 75% tuition refund less 20% non-refundable deposit.
- After the second scheduled rehearsal, 50% tuition refund less 20% non-refundable deposit.
- After the third scheduled rehearsal, 25% tuition refund less 20% non-refundable deposit.
- After the fourth scheduled rehearsal, no refund.
Students may withdraw from private lessons and receive a refund according to the following schedule:
- Before the first scheduled rehearsal, full tuition refund.
- After the first scheduled rehearsal, 75% tuition refund.
- After the second scheduled rehearsal, 50% tuition refund.
- After the third scheduled rehearsal, 25% tuition refund.
- After the fourth scheduled rehearsal, no refund.
Students must request withdrawal from a class in writing to the Expanded Education Office. Informing an instructor of a decision to withdraw from a course, stopping or withholding payment, and not attending classes do not constitute withdrawal from a course. There is no refund for year-long Preparatory School courses dropped mid-year.
Please note that there is no refund for the $50 registration fee and $50 payment plan fee.
Exceptional refund requests will be reviewed when the request is made in writing with adequate documentation.
The school reserves the right to cancel any class or ensemble with insufficient enrollment. In the case of a course cancellation, the student will receive a full refund of tuition and the registration fee.
Additional Payment Information
Students must pay their tuition and fees in full at the time of registration. The school accepts check, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover as valid forms of payment. Families that choose to pay by check must register in person.
Students are responsible for paying with a check or valid credit card. NEC will assess students who present non-negotiable checks, for any reason, a fine of $30 per check. The school reserves the right to refuse personal checks from students who have previously paid with non-negotiable items.
Students must pay any outstanding balances prior to registering.
The following payment plan is available for people who prefer to pay tuition in installments.
Payment Methods
Payment must be submitted on or before the due dates outlined by the payment plan. For families choosing to pay by credit or debit card, payments will be automatically withdrawn at 6:00 AM on the due date. For families choosing to pay by check, payment must be received by NEC on or prior to the due date. Please plan your schedule accordingly and notify the Expanded Education Office promptly should you become aware of any circumstances affecting your payment.
Past Due Payments
Families will be notified if a credit or debit card is declined. Once notified, the family is responsible for contacting the Expanded Education Office or the Business Office in timely fashion to submit the outstanding payment.
A grace period of 30 days from the payment due date will be allowed for reasonable requests for deferment. Requests for a grace period must be submitted in writing to the Expanded Education Office. No more than two grace periods will be allowed per academic year. Consecutive grace periods are not permitted. No payment will be allowed to extend past May 31st.
Any payments more than 30 days outstanding for which no deferment request has been received will result in immediate suspension of lessons, classes, and/or participation until payment is complete.
Withdrawals
Per our refund policy, no refund is available for students withdrawing after the fourth scheduled rehearsal of a class or ensemble or after the fourth scheduled private lesson. Should a student withdraw from a class, ensemble, or private lesson package, families electing the payment plan will be responsible for continuing payments per the dates and amounts agreed until tuition has been paid in full.
