News

By adding a lab component to "Music of Ghana," a Music Theory course taught at NEC since 2014 by composer, theorist, and faculty member Dr. Felicia Sandler, NEC effectively bridges the gap between what students learn in the classroom and its real-life application. As Dr. Sandler immerses students in music theories tied to Ghanaian repertoires, they derive more meaning from their knowledge by also learning traditional dancing and drumming from prominent royal drummer Emmanuel Attah Poku, a Tufts professor who grew up in the palace of the Ashanti King and plays percussion for the royal court.  

As Black History Month comes to a close, we celebrate Black alumni from the earliest years of the Conservatory. Members of the Black Student Union worked with NEC archivists Maryalice Perrin-Mohr and Cody Forrest to research Black history and artistry from the early years of NEC.

Pianist Yunchan Lim ’24 UC made his spectacular Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at Symphony Hall from February 15-18 with guest conductor Tugan Sokhiev, performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3 to multiple standing ovations. 

Meet Charles Berofsky ’24 MM, the talented pianist and composer who amazed Jordan Hall audience members during a concert with NEC's conductorless Chamber Orchestra as the soloist for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 14 in E-flat Major, K. 449, including a self-composed cadenza within his exceptional performance. Berofsky earned the solo opportunity as the winner of NEC's 2022 Piano Concerto Competition, one of many honors the budding sensation has achieved in under two years at NEC so far, where he is studying for his Master of Music with faculty member HaeSun Paik.

Love is a powerful force, especially when shared by two individuals as driven in their joint mission of creating a better world as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King ’51, ’71 Hon. DM. The change-making couple were heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, but before they made history for their activism and social justice work, their journey together began in Boston. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognizes New England Conservatory as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Called an "immediate sensation" by The New York Times, first-year NEC student and virtuosic young pianist Yunchan Lim ’24 UC will debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra this weekend, performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 3 with returning guest conductor Tugan Sokhiev.

New England Conservatory invites the public to join a poignant musical tribute to Coretta Scott King's "Life. Love. Legacy." The 7th Annual Coretta Scott King Tribute Concert is a moving celebration co-curated by NEC’s Black Student Union and Castle of our Skins. The free concert will take place on Monday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. in NEC’s Jordan Hall. This year's concert holds special significance as it marks the 70th anniversary of Coretta Scott King's graduation from NEC, where King studied music education and voice (’54, ’71 Hon. DM). The concert promises to be an immersive experience that honors a remarkable artist and activist.

Meet Paul July Joseph ’27, a drummer and first-year Contemporary Musical Arts undergraduate at New England Conservatory. Paul came to NEC from Haiti, bringing musical influences from his home country to campus, from last summer’s Global Musician Workshop to jam sessions with his peers to classes and lessons with faculty members Hankus Netsky and Austin MacMahon.

Five New England Conservatory alumni were among the winners announced at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, held on February 4 at the crypto.com arena in Los Angeles and televised live on CBS.