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
Andrew Schartmann

June 15, 2026

NEC Game App Combines Music Education and Puzzle Solving 

Read More
NEC Alumnus Omar Thomas’s Music Brings a Community Together

June 15, 2026

NEC Alumnus Omar Thomas’s Music Brings a Community Together

Read More
Grammy-Winning Violinist Hilary Hahn Named Visiting Artist at NEC

June 1, 2026

Grammy-Winning Violinist Hilary Hahn Named Visiting Artist at NEC

Read More
  • 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

  • Grammy-Winning Violinist Hilary Hahn Named Visiting Artist at NEC

    June 1, 2026

    Grammy-Winning Violinist Hilary Hahn Named Visiting Artist at NEC

  • Castle of our Skins Celebrates its Foundation and a Reclamation to Come

    June 1, 2026

    Castle of our Skins Celebrates its Foundation and a Reclamation to Come

  • NEC’s 155th Commencement Celebrates the Transformative Power of the Artist’s Voice

    May 18, 2026

    NEC’s 155th Commencement Celebrates the Transformative Power of the Artist’s Voice

  • Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and New England Conservatory Announce Inaugural Concert for the City

    May 15, 2026

    Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and New England Conservatory Announce Inaugural Concert for the City