Community Spotlight Feature: Fredericka King '74 MM
Published on January 31, 2025
Meet Fredericka King '74 MM
Piano Performance
An artist, performer, and educator, Fredericka King has performed as a soloist and accompanist in the United States, Europe and South America. She was a founding member La Femme, La Femme, a group dedicated to the performance of chamber and solo works by women composers. Fredericka’s recitals feature works of Classical composers and highlight the works of women, American, and African-American composers, as on her CD A Born Pianist. She has performed in Masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Stanislav Oudenitch, Yoheved Kaplinsky, John Owings, Eric Tawastjerna, and Barry Douglas. Fredericka also serves as Senior Music Historian-in-Residence at Emerson College and teaches an adult piano class and a History of Western Music course in NEC’s Adult Education Department. She served as an Alumni Marshal in last year's 153rd Commencement Ceremony, representing her class's 50th year as alumni.
What does NEC mean to you?
"NEC means just about everything to me; as a student, as teacher, and as a performer. From my first days visiting the school to accompany a friend, I recognized it was the place for me. I was so happy to be accepted as a graduate student, surrounded by so much talent, amazing teachers, and music all the time. I still feel the same way today about NEC as I did when I first visited: many incredible teachers and performers, talent of every variety, and an environment offering challenges and inspirations. It's amazing to still be here years after graduating, now as a proud alumni and faculty member."
Can you share an experience you've had in your career that has felt the most rewarding?
"It would probably be my first faculty recital in Jordan Hall in 1986. I was thrilled to have the opportunity and terrified that I wouldn't perform well in the beautiful space where I'd listened to many performances. At the time, local Boston newspapers reviewed the faculty and student concerts. The morning after the recital, there was a great review in The Boston Globe. From the reviewer's descriptions, it was clear everything had come together: the individual pieces along with their connections and contrasts. My playing had communicated the value and meaning of the music as I'd hoped. The concert and review inspired me to hold on to my perspective as a musician and keep working to communicate everything I wanted to share with an audience."
"NEC means just about everything to me; as a student, as teacher, and as a performer. From my first days visiting the school to accompany a friend, I recognized it was the place for me. I was so happy to be accepted as a graduate student, surrounded by so much talent, amazing teachers, and music all the time. I still feel the same way today about NEC as I did when I first visited: many incredible teachers and performers, talent of every variety, and an environment offering challenges and inspirations. It's amazing to still be here years after graduating, now as a proud alumni and faculty member."
Can you share an experience you've had in your career that has felt the most rewarding?
"It would probably be my first faculty recital in Jordan Hall in 1986. I was thrilled to have the opportunity and terrified that I wouldn't perform well in the beautiful space where I'd listened to many performances. At the time, local Boston newspapers reviewed the faculty and student concerts. The morning after the recital, there was a great review in The Boston Globe. From the reviewer's descriptions, it was clear everything had come together: the individual pieces along with their connections and contrasts. My playing had communicated the value and meaning of the music as I'd hoped. The concert and review inspired me to hold on to my perspective as a musician and keep working to communicate everything I wanted to share with an audience."