NEC Announces the Institute for Concert Artists and Concert Artists Series

NEC is pleased to announce the launch of the Institute for Concert Artists (ICA at NEC) and its flagship NEC Concert Artist Series, which will be a cornerstone of the Institute. Expanding on the legacy of NEC’s prestigious Artist Diploma—its highest-level performance designation—the ICA offers a transformative experience for artists of extraordinary talent who are on the threshold of major performing careers. A dynamic pathway to launching a professional life, this two-year, highly selective program will provide the ICA artists with curated access to preeminent performers and innovative arts leaders in addition to individualized mentorship from NEC’s esteemed faculty. Artists emerge from the program comprehensively equipped to navigate the demands of a professional career with confidence and vision.

The ICA will include seven artists during this initial year—Joshua Brown ’22, ’24 MM, ’26 AD, violin; Josie Larsen ’23 MM, ’25 AD, soprano; Yunchan Lim ’24 UC, ’26 AD, piano; Evren Ozel ’21, ’23 MM, ’25 AD, piano; Changyong Shin ’25 AD, piano; Yutong Sun ’19, ’21 MM, ’22 GD, ’25 AD, piano; and Dani Jingdan Zhang ’26 AD, soprano—and will expand to eight over the next two years as Jazz and Contemporary Musical Arts are added to the program.

The artists will work with the ICA Advisor, pianist Gloria Chien ’99, ’01 MM, ’04 DMA, who earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees from NEC, and is the Artistic Director of Chamber Music Northwest, String Theory, and the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival. Gloria comments:

“I am honored to join my alma mater as the advisor of the newly launched Institute for Concert Artists. This role allows me to contribute to the Institute’s mission of nurturing each individual’s artistic vision, cultivating meaningful connections, and maximizing their impact in the world of music. I look forward to supporting the burgeoning careers of the exceptional artists of the ICA at NEC.”

The ICA at NEC focuses on three key pillars: complementing artistic excellence with comprehensive professional readiness; creating connections within the NEC community and the professional world; and introducing new generations of NEC concert artists to the global stage. Accordingly, ICA artists will receive a full-tuition scholarship and stipend, and be eligible for support for travel and artistic projects. They will also be featured in the newly launched NEC Concert Artist Series, a showcase for musicians in NEC’s professional programs, including the ICA, Professional Quartet, and Professional Trio programs. NEC President Andrea Kalyn comments:

“We’re excited to build on the foundation of mentorship by NEC’s distinguished faculty to propel young artists towards dynamic performance careers with greater connection to professional resources, opportunities, purpose, and profile through the Institute for Concert Artists.”

You can read more about this exciting advancement here.