A community of spirited young people.

Plus superb conservatory faculty, and as many approaches to meaningful musical education as there are students — that’s NEC Prep.

Every week, over 1600 students from across New England — absolute beginners to the most advanced young musicians — participate in lessons, classes, and ensembles. NEC Prep is one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation.

What do you want to do?
NEC Prep School Horn section rehearses

I want to play

At NEC, young musicians can explore all kinds of instruments, from early childhood on.

Prep Singer with Youth Jazz Orchestra

I want to sing

Young singers at NEC get a very special kind of training with lots of variety—voice lessons, choruses, jazz, musical theatre, rock, world music, and more!

Prep Piano lesson

I want to compose

Every musician is a composer. Students as young as eight can start learning to hear and create the elements of music.

Prep Eurhythmics Class

I want to explore

Foundation classes like chorus, music theory, composition, and the art of practice and performance are for every musician at NEC, whatever the level or instrument!

We invite you to explore the many opportunities for your child here. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’d love your family to join our family and make NEC Prep your musical home.

NEC Prep Suzuki students
Featured Events

Hear us play!

I just felt like it was home.
Prep Student

All levels

The NEC Difference: a place for every player

Kids can enter at any level of training and move at their own pace.

Prep Youth Philharmonic Orchestra

À la carte offerings

The NEC Difference: flexibility

À la carte offerings mean you have the flexibility to shape the musical education that best fits your child. Enroll in just one activity (ensembles, lessons, classes) or any combination thereof.

in the N E C Prep Harp studio

Faculty

The NEC Difference: faculty

Our faculty is world-class and wonderful, full of teachers and performers committed to nurturing young musicians.

An N E C Prep piano lesson

Certificate Program

The NEC Difference: challenge

We also offer a range of certificate programs for the committed student looking for an ambitious, advanced placement-like path.

Already enrolled?

Find current student resources quickly and easily.

Resources for Prep Students & Families
Recent News
Tue, January 12
The Boston Globe | Turning music lessons into 'trauma informed care' for frontline healthcare workers
The Boston Globe's Zoë Madonna writes about the Boston Hope Music Teaching Project, a collaboration between NEC and Massachusetts General Hospital that connects NEC teaching fellows and frontline health care workers for remote music lessons.  
Sat, January 9
Remembering Stanley Cowell
Cowell was a renowned and innovative jazz pianist, composer, record label founder, and educator who taught jazz piano at NEC from 1986 to 1989.
Mon, December 21
What's New: Year-End Edition
News from NEC alumni and faculty members including Luther Warren, Amir Siraj, Dominique Eade, Sarah Bernadette, Aimee Toner, Talia Rubenstein, Miranda Agnew, Anna Abondolo, Kyra Teboe, Guy Fishman, Nestor Torres, Brannon Cho, Lio Kuokman, and Claire Bourg.
Fri, December 18
Honoring 2020 Commencement Award Winners
As 2020 draws to a close, we honor the achievements of our 2020 Commencement award winners, who are commended for their excellence in leadership, academics, musicianship, innovation, and more.
Thu, December 17
Low Latency for Singers: Master Classes and Real-Time Collaboration
Low latency technology has made way for robust vocal arts study at NEC this semester, and offered a few silver linings, like master classes at a distance with Patricia Racette and John Relyea.