Alumni Bring Music Education to New Orleans

Published on July 17, 2025

In June, four recent graduates spent a week teaching young musicians at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward. Trombonist Aiden Coleman ’25, vocalist Aviana Gedler ’25, bassist Nick Isherwood ’25 MM, and saxophonist Lenka Molčányiová ’25 MM worked with students ages 8 to 18 during the Center’s summer session. The program, supported by NEC’s Community Engagement and Professional Studies department, provided the alumni with valuable classroom experience while contributing to a vibrant musical community.

The Ellis Marsalis Center, located in Musicians’ Village, was established to support New Orleans musicians and youth following Hurricane Katrina. It offers music education, academic enrichment, and community programming to underserved neighborhoods.

The NEC alumni assisted in a range of teaching activities and performed their own music for students and faculty. They also visited key sites, including Preservation Hall and the New Orleans Jazz Museum, and connected with the Center’s artistic director, Branford Marsalis.

The residency was launched through the support of NEC President’s Council member Rumiko Adamowicz and is expected to continue in future years as a model of educational and cultural exchange.

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