News

In late March, Grammy-nominated flutist and composer Valerie Coleman came to campus as NEC’s 2024 Malcolm Peyton Artist-in-Residence. During her residency, Coleman led a colloquium, engaged in a Q&A session, and conducted a master class with students in NEC's Composition Department. Additionally, she provided valuable coaching to NEC's Honors Wind Ensemble, which performed in her residency showcase. 

New England Conservatory’s Jazz Studies Department has appointed Grammy Award-winning trombonist and composer Kalia Vandever to its faculty beginning in the fall of 2024. 

Soprano So Young Park ’12 MM, ’14 AD sang the role of Juliette in the Metropolitan Opera's final performance of Gounod's Romeo and Juliette on Saturday, March 30, under the baton of conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Park took the leading role after a casting change

Visitors to the Nilüfer Municipality Dr. Hüseyin Parkan Sanlıkol Musical Instruments Museum (MEM) in Bursa, Turkey, can now enjoy a brand-new exhibit comprising 52 rare, historic musical instruments—some as old as 400 years—donated from New England Conservatory’s collection. NEC faculty member Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol is the curator and project director for MEM. 

Cellist Andrew Byun ’25 GD won first prize at the 9th Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC) on March 15. The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron of the Windsor Festival, presented Byun with the trophy at Eton College following the competition’s final round. 

Recipients of the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant were announced last Wednesday, March 20. Among the honorees to receive the prestigious grant, three are either current students or alumni of New England Conservatory: the Balourdet Quartet, violinist Julian Rhee ’22, ’24 MM, and pianist Clayton Stephenson ’23 Harvard/NEC, ’25 GD.

Classic FM has named internationally awarded solo violinist  Nathan Amaral ’24 GC on its list of “30 young musicians reshaping classical music.” 

In October 2023, NEC alumna and tenor trombonist Katie Franke ’22 MM commenced her role as the first-ever female trombonist and low brass player in the history of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band. As a female-identifying musician in the male-dominated world of trombone performance, Franke has already made history with her appointment to the U.S. Marine Band and continues to break down barriers for fellow female trombonists.

Characterizing the multi-faceted career of renowned Irish musician and NEC Contemporary Musical Arts faculty member Liz Knowles in a single word or phrase would be impossible. Depending on the day — or the hour — she is a sought-after performer, composer, recording artist, beloved teacher, podcaster, and author.

NEC faculty member, composer, and music theorist Andrew Schartmann interviewed Erica J. Washburn, NEC’s Director of Choral Activities, on preparing a choir to sing Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Babi Yar” for the latest edition of the DSCH Journal, a biannual publication dedicated to the life and work of Shostakovich. Schartmann serves as Associate Editor for the DSCH Journal.