The future of music, made here.

Alumni Spotlight: Military Appreciation Month

May 26, 2022

Military Appreciation Month

May is Military Appreciation Month, and we would like to recognize and honor our NEC Alumni U.S. Service Members.

Several of our alumni share how NEC shaped their journey and impacted their time serving in the U.S. military. Read their stories below!

Civil Affairs Officer & Major Obadiah Baker ’06
United States Army Reserves
Major: Jazz Studies

Read more about Obadiah

Master Sergeant Anthony Balester ’11 MM
United States Air Force
Major: Saxophone Performance

Read more about Anthony

Musician First Class/E6 Chris DeChiara ’99 MM
United States Navy
Major: Percussion Performance

Read more about Chris

Master Sergeant Christian Eberle ’88
United States Army
Major: Bassoon Performance

Read more about Christian

Musician Second Class/E-5 Seville Jenkins ’14 GD
United State Navy
Major: Trombone Performance

Read more about Seville

Captain Brian O. Walden ’02 MM
United States Navy
Major: Wind Ensemble Conducting

Read more about Brian

recent news
Songwriter and Harpist Elias Shane ’26 MM, On His Art and (Many) Influences

March 16, 2026

Songwriter and Harpist Elias Shane ’26 MM, On His Art and (Many) Influences

Read More
NEC Prep’s CHIPS Collaborates with Music for Food

March 16, 2026

NEC Prep’s CHIPS Collaborates with Music for Food

Read More
Through Music, NEC student Arson Fahim ’26 Makes Statement of Defiance, Resilience, and Hope

March 9, 2026

Through Music, NEC student Arson Fahim ’26 Makes Statement of Defiance, Resilience, and Hope

Read More
  • Songwriter and Harpist Elias Shane ’26 MM, On His Art and (Many) Influences

    March 16, 2026

    Songwriter and Harpist Elias Shane ’26 MM, On His Art and (Many) Influences

  • NEC Prep’s CHIPS Collaborates with Music for Food

    March 16, 2026

    NEC Prep’s CHIPS Collaborates with Music for Food

  • Through Music, NEC student Arson Fahim ’26 Makes Statement of Defiance, Resilience, and Hope

    March 9, 2026

    Through Music, NEC student Arson Fahim ’26 Makes Statement of Defiance, Resilience, and Hope

  • NEC Faculty Curate Cold Fusion: A Wintertime Apple Music Playlist

    March 6, 2026

    NEC Faculty Curate Cold Fusion: A Wintertime Apple Music Playlist

  • NEC Community Mourns the Passing of Margaret McAllister

    March 2, 2026

    NEC Community Mourns the Passing of Margaret McAllister

  • Expanded Education Department Offers New Contemporary Musical Arts Experiences

    March 2, 2026

    Expanded Education Department Offers New Contemporary Musical Arts Experiences