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
Morningside Music Bridge and New England Conservatory to Present Pianist Yuja Wang in Recital

April 13, 2026

Morningside Music Bridge and New England Conservatory to Present Pianist Yuja Wang in Recital

Read More
NEC Honors Violinist Adrian Anantawan with Conservatory’s Fourth Annual Marylou Speaker Churchill Award

April 13, 2026

NEC Honors Violinist Adrian Anantawan with Conservatory’s Fourth Annual Marylou Speaker Churchill Award

Read More
New England Conservatory Announces 155th Commencement with Distinguished Speaker Denyce Graves and Honorary Degree Recipients Gary Bartz and Gary Dunning 

April 6, 2026

New England Conservatory Announces 155th Commencement with Distinguished Speaker Denyce Graves and Honorary Degree Recipients Gary Bartz and Gary Dunning 

Read More
  • Morningside Music Bridge and New England Conservatory to Present Pianist Yuja Wang in Recital

    April 13, 2026

    Morningside Music Bridge and New England Conservatory to Present Pianist Yuja Wang in Recital

  • NEC Honors Violinist Adrian Anantawan with Conservatory’s Fourth Annual Marylou Speaker Churchill Award

    April 13, 2026

    NEC Honors Violinist Adrian Anantawan with Conservatory’s Fourth Annual Marylou Speaker Churchill Award

  • New England Conservatory Announces 155th Commencement with Distinguished Speaker Denyce Graves and Honorary Degree Recipients Gary Bartz and Gary Dunning 

    April 6, 2026

    New England Conservatory Announces 155th Commencement with Distinguished Speaker Denyce Graves and Honorary Degree Recipients Gary Bartz and Gary Dunning 

  • NEC Opera Stages Mozart’s “Human and Truthful” Le Nozze di Figaro

    April 6, 2026

    NEC Opera Stages Mozart’s “Human and Truthful” Le Nozze di Figaro

  • New BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir Established as NEC Prep Applications Open 

    March 30, 2026

    New BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir Established as NEC Prep Applications Open 

  • NEC’s Black Student Union Pays Musical Tribute to Coretta Scott King’s Life and Legacy

    March 25, 2026

    NEC’s Black Student Union Pays Musical Tribute to Coretta Scott King’s Life and Legacy