NEC’s vast program offerings provide students with opportunities to explore beyond their field of study and enrich their growth as a musician.
Follow the development of NEC’s new initiatives this year as they elevate the students’ educational experience at NEC.
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Chloe Thum ’24 shares how NEC encourages the “hard conversations” since day one.
First Year Experience sets NEC apart from any other conservatory.
Chloe Thum '24, Voice Performance
Kimly Wang ’21 GD shared how technology helped her stay connected to NEC from Toronto and focused on what’s most important: music.
Despite all the changes in the world...we still have music.
Kimly Wang ’21 GD, Collaborative Piano
Students share the ways NEC unleashes their inner creativity through composition in their reimagined music theory classes.
Using composition as a means of learning and applying theory has made Analysis and Composition a really fun hands-on class for me.
Lily Stern '25, Cello Performance
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First Year Experience
The First Year Experience (FYE) weaves together coursework in the liberal arts, music history, health and wellness, and entrepreneurial musicianship to connect classroom learning to performance practice through six integrated learning outcomes. The skills and mindsets students learn in the First Year Experience will prime them for success in future courses at FYE and in their creative work as professional artists. FYE faculty worked together to build an interconnected, responsive curriculum, featuring multiple learning modalities to reinforce and expand on each learning outcome.
Theory Reimgained
Understanding music theory is key to being a literate musician. NEC’s Theory Reimagined elevates the traditional teachings of music reading and writing by incorporating technology, composition and a diverse repertoire.
Song Lab
A novel approach to vocal studies, Song Lab focuses on the repertoire, interpretation and performance of art songs. Through intertwined courses and guest lectures that enhance the creative process, students immerse themselves in the languages and histories of art song, develop their individual approaches, and learn to lead their own productions of song recitals on both traditional concert platforms and the digital stage.
Presented by NEC Jazz & Entrepreneurial Musicianship, Grow Your Art features Maria Schneider performing with the students of NEC Jazz, and masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions on music business and entrepreneurship.