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
NEC Alumni Work with Students in New Orleans

July 14, 2025

NEC Alumni Work with Students in New Orleans

Read More
London’s Calling Composer Stellan Connelly Bettany    

July 2, 2025

London’s Calling Composer Stellan Connelly Bettany    

Read More
Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

June 18, 2025

Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

Read More
  • NEC Alumni Work with Students in New Orleans

    July 14, 2025

    NEC Alumni Work with Students in New Orleans

  • London’s Calling Composer Stellan Connelly Bettany    

    July 2, 2025

    London’s Calling Composer Stellan Connelly Bettany    

  • Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

    June 18, 2025

    Alyssa Wang ’19 MM Leads NEC’s Summer Orchestra Institute with Thoughtful Perspective

  • Violinist/Fiddler Lily Honigberg ’18, ’20 MM Details Dynamic Career

    June 18, 2025

    Violinist/Fiddler Lily Honigberg ’18, ’20 MM Details Dynamic Career

  • Music Theorist Andrew Schartmann Explores “Innovation Through Constraint”  

    June 11, 2025

    Music Theorist Andrew Schartmann Explores “Innovation Through Constraint”  

  • NEC Alumni Win Gold, Bronze Medals at Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

    June 9, 2025

    NEC Alumni Win Gold, Bronze Medals at Van Cliburn International Piano Competition