The future of music, made here.

NEC Alumnus Kebra-Seyoun Charles ’20 Wins First Place in 25th Annual Sphinx Competition

February 4, 2022

NEC Alumnus Kebra-Seyoun Charles ’20 Wins First Place in 25th Annual Sphinx Competition

The double bassist took home the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize in the senior division of the Detroit-based competition.

Kebra-Seyoun Charles ‘20, a graduate of New England Conservatory in double bass performance, is the first place winner of the senior division and $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize in the recent 2022 Sphinx Competition held in Detroit, Michigan. The competition highlights the talents of young Black and Latinx string players.

In addition to the prize winnings, as senior division laureate, Charles will be featured as a solo performer with major orchestras across the country.

You can watch the entire competition, including Kebra-Seyoun’s winning performance (which begins at 47:04), in the Sphinx Organization’s video above.

Congratulations to Kebra-Seyoun!

Learn more about the competition

recent news
Upcoming Concert Season Showcases Dynamic NEC Community and Distinguished Guest Artists 

July 15, 2026

Upcoming Concert Season Showcases Dynamic NEC Community and Distinguished Guest Artists 

Read More
NEC Community Remembers Pianist Veronica Jochum

July 10, 2026

NEC Community Remembers Pianist Veronica Jochum

Read More
Bruce Brubaker to Perform and Celebrate Philip Glass’s Piano Music 

July 10, 2026

Bruce Brubaker to Perform and Celebrate Philip Glass’s Piano Music 

Read More
  • Upcoming Concert Season Showcases Dynamic NEC Community and Distinguished Guest Artists 

    July 15, 2026

    Upcoming Concert Season Showcases Dynamic NEC Community and Distinguished Guest Artists 

  • NEC Community Remembers Pianist Veronica Jochum

    July 10, 2026

    NEC Community Remembers Pianist Veronica Jochum

  • Bruce Brubaker to Perform and Celebrate Philip Glass’s Piano Music 

    July 10, 2026

    Bruce Brubaker to Perform and Celebrate Philip Glass’s Piano Music 

  • NEC Alumni Bring Unique Skills to Diverse Career Paths

    June 29, 2026

    NEC Alumni Bring Unique Skills to Diverse Career Paths

  • Andrew Schartmann

    June 15, 2026

    NEC Game App Combines Music Education and Puzzle Solving 

  • NEC Alumnus Omar Thomas’s Music Brings a Community Together

    June 15, 2026

    NEC Alumnus Omar Thomas’s Music Brings a Community Together