Thu, June 6
Vocal Performance major and leader of NEC's Queer Student Union Molly Knight ’25 has used her position to create welcoming spaces on campus for NEC's LGBTQIA+ community, from developing a Gay Library within the CEB office to coordinating a panel of NEC students, faculty, and staff to share their experiences of being queer in music. Knight, a talented classical soprano studying with faculty member MaryAnn McCormick, reflects on her NEC experience, looks ahead to her final year and post-grad goals, and shares her best advice for incoming students.
Mon, May 20
New England Conservatory celebrated the graduating class of 2024 on Sunday, May 19, in historic Jordan Hall during a ceremony for graduates, family, and friends. Honorary degrees were awarded to legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon ’24 hon. DM, soprano Dawn Upshaw ’24 hon. DM, and conductor Robert Spano ’24 hon. DM, with remarks from Simon along with NEC President Andrea Kalyn, Alumni Speaker Lina González-Granados ’14 MM, ’15 GD, and Student Speaker June Chung ’24 MM.
Mon, May 13
On Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. in NEC’s historic Jordan Hall, more than 200 graduating students will receive their diplomas following remarks from Commencement Speaker Paul Simon, Alumni Speaker Lina Gonzáles-Granados ’14 MM, ’15 GD, and Student Speaker June Chung ’24 MM; honorary degree conferments upon Simon, Dawn Upshaw, and Robert Spano; and performances from a New Orleans-style jazz ensemble and a CMA folk ensemble.
Mon, April 22
In faculty member Jill Gatlin's course Climate Change Culture and Performance Practicum, part of NEC's Integrative Curriculum, students gained an understanding of climate science, the sociology and geography of climate injustice, representations of climate change in art, and methods of engaging audiences across the arts — and this was just one-half of their coursework. They also acquired invaluable professional skills through the project-based Performance Practicum, in which they used their new knowledge to design, produce, market, and execute a live concert in collaboration with their peers titled
What Washes Over: Sounds of Climate Grief and Action.Wed, April 17
Tenor Josaphat Contreras ’22 MM has won a 2024-25 Fulbright-García Robles grant to study mariachi at the National Mariachi Conservatory in Mexico City. Contreras graduated from New England Conservatory with a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy, where he was chosen as the commencement speaker for his graduating class of 2022.