NEC Convocation: A Joy-Filled Start to the School Year
NEC's 156th academic year began last Tuesday with a lively Convocation ceremony featuring performances, an alumni panel, and words of encouragement and inspiration from student speaker Yoona Kim ’23 MM, Provost and Dean Benjamin Sosland, and NEC President Andrea Kalyn.
Audience members enjoyed performances from Trio Gaia (NEC's Professional Piano Trio-in-Residence) and the Kris Monson Quartet. Trio Gaia stunned with its performance of Clara Schumann's Piano Trio in G Minor, op.17, Andante, and the Kris Monson Quartet brought the energy with Monson's piece, a nod to Seinfeld entitled Del Boca Vista.
Contemporary Musical Arts master's student Yoona Kim '23 MM offered words of wisdom to the new class, describing how NEC came to feel like home after a difficult transition into college.
Provost and Dean Benjamin Sosland offered five tips to new students: Be the person that everyone wants to play with, embrace change, explore new genres, ask for help, and get out into the community.
Provost Sosland led an alumni panel comprising Kristo Kondakçi ’13, ’15 MM, Kirsten Lamb ’15 MM, and Stephanie Muñoz ’15 MM, ’17 GD, who spoke about their journeys from studying at NEC to building successful and fulfilling careers as musicians, educators, and entrepreneurs.
In conclusion, President Andrea Kalyn left us a challenge for the year ahead, before ringing the bell to begin the school year officially: Take time to revel in the joy of music-making.
"I'd like to encourage us all this year to reclaim our joy, and to share it," said President Kalyn. "To give it a little bit of space and light. We all know that not every hour of every day can be magical, but even amidst all the hard work and responsibilities, let's find ways to help each other revel just a little bit in the sheer joy of making music and of making music possible together."
