Mei-Ann Chen ’95, ’98 MM Receives the 2025 NEC Marylou Speaker Churchill Award

Published on March 26, 2025

Alumna and Trustee Mei-Ann Chen ’95, ’98 MM is the recipient of this year’s Marylou Speaker Churchill Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who reflect the qualities of the late Marylou Speaker Churchill, a longtime NEC faculty member and Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist. Mei-Ann, an internationally renowned conductor, was honored on Saturday, March 22, during her visit to NEC.

Currently Music Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta and Chief Conductor of Austria’s Recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz, Chen has led over 150 orchestras worldwide. Her advocacy for music education is evident through her mentorship of aspiring conductors and leadership at institutions like NEC, Juilliard, and Peabody.

Chen’s connection to Churchill is personal—she studied with Churchill at the Walnut Hill School and lived with the Churchill's during her years at NEC. Reflecting on her mentor, Chen said,

“Marylou taught me to overcome difficult passages with love, and that’s an important lesson I have applied to life as well.”

The Marylou Speaker Churchill Award celebrates Churchill’s legacy as an educator and musician, recognizing those who carry forward her commitment to artistic excellence.

 

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