Students may find information about academic advising, registration guidelines, and more on the Office of Academic Affairs Student Resources website.
Academic Advising
Academic Advisors within the Office of Academic Affairs collaborate with faculty, studio instructors, department chairs, and other administration and staff to provide opportunities for advising across departments and throughout the academic year.
As a result of collaboration with their advisors, students will:
- Develop the ability to articulate their values and goals for their education at NEC and the future beyond graduation
- Seek curricular and co-curricular opportunities to foster their continued growth
- Take responsibility for their educational path and success
Academic Advising Can Help Students…
- Explore majors, minors, and concentrations
- Prepare to register for courses
- Set and meet academic and professional goals
- Understand NEC policies and procedures
- Remedy academic difficulties
- Develop personal and professional habits for success
- Connect with additional support services
Find Your Advisor
Richard Giarusso
Dean of Academic Affairs
Dean Giarusso advises students in the following majors:
- Chamber Music
- Collaborative Piano
- Conducting
- Harvard Dual Degree (*all regardless of major)
- Music History
- Music Theory
Sara Stancliffe
Assistant Director of Academic Affairs & Advising
Fulbright Program Adviser and Scholar Liaison
Sara advises students in the following majors:
- Brass
- Contemporary Musical Arts
- Jazz
- Woodwinds
Steven Gregory
Senior Coordinator for International & Academic Advising
Primary Designated School Official
Steven advises students in the following majors:
- Strings (including Guitar and Harp)
Aidan Gorrell
Academic & International Student Advisor
Aidan advises students in the following majors:
- Composition
- Percussion
- Piano
- Vocal Performance
Mission
By fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we work with students to enrich and enhance their NEC experience.
We aim to support and engage the entire student body by modeling the institution’s core values which strive to create the highest standard of education, promote a supportive learning environment, and nurture innovation.
Through campus-wide cooperation and collaboration, our staff is dedicated to academic support, health and wellness, accessibility, student activities, residence life, and international services, encouraging students to cultivate their personal and professional skills that prepare and empower them to be active life-long learners and members of a global community.
We advocate for the whole student, providing access to resources and creating opportunities for their development.
We serve as a resource for students, creating a supportive environment for the individual student to explore their unique academic interests and goals. We advocate for students by collaborating with faculty and administrators to ensure student interests are central to institutional conversations and policies. By fostering a consistent relationship with each advisee throughout their entire NEC career, we build a strong foundation for students to take personal responsibility for their educational success. We come to know students as artists, scholars, and people in order to become better equipped to help them succeed in their studies and plan for a future beyond NEC.
Our Partners
Admissions & Financial Aid
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information and contact information for individual admission counselors, visit the Admissions page.
Katherine Drago Luellen, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Claire Paik, Associate Director of Enrollment Management
Alyssa Tong, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management
Rebecca Barry-Wolff, Assistant Director, Student Financial Planning
Center for Cultural Equity and Belonging
Monique Van Willingh, Director of Cultural Equity and Belonging
SB203
To get involved or for support, please email Monique Van Willingh.
Room 203, Saint Botolph Building.
Community Performances and Partnerships
Tanya Maggi, Dean of Community Engagement and Professional Studies, Community Outreach and Partnerships
617-585-1243
Grace Allendorf, Administrative Director of Community Performances and Partnerships
617-585-1743
Erik Elmgren, Assistant Dean of Community Engagement and Teaching Artistry
617-585-1748
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Room 201, Saint Botolph Building
Compliance and Title IX
Katrina Chapman, Counsel and Director of Compliance, Title IX Coordinator
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
How to Contact: Email Katrina Chapman for all inquiries.
Entrepreneurial Musicianship
Ryan Mewhorter, Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program Manager
617-585-1718
Kiyoshi Hayashi, Career Advising Manager
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Email em@necmusic.edu for all inquiries.
Room 201, Saint Botolph Building
Office of Student Affairs
Christina Davis, Dean of Students and Campus Life
617-585-1313
Matao Bonner, Coordinator of Student Care & Support
Room 224, Saint Botolph Building
Registrar’s Office
Marcia Spellman, Registrar
Sue Wang, Assistant Registrar
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Email collegeregistrar@necmusic.edu or leave a voicemail at 617-585-1310.
Room 224, Saint Botolph Building
Residence Life
Patrick Hazilla, Resident Director
617-585-1188
Student Housing and Activities Center, SLPC
Academic Programs
Chamber Music, Strings, Piano, Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion
Elizabeth Van Voorhis, Production & Administrative Director for Chamber Music, Strings, Piano, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion
Chorus
Sally Millar, Administrator for Chorus
Collaborative Piano and Composition
Ali Eaton, Assistant Director of College Administration
Jazz and Contemporary Musical Arts
Rich Frost, Jazz & Contemporary Musical Arts Production & Administrative Director
Opera and Voice
Paul Sieveking, Admin and Production Director for Opera & Voic
Orchestra
Margie Apfelbaum, Director of Large Ensemble Administration
Questions
Current students with questions may contact us by email using the links above or stop by our offices in Room 224 of the St. Botolph building for an appointment. Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lunchtime and seasonal/holiday hours may differ.
Prospective students are encouraged to direct their questions to New England Conservatory's Office of Admissions, where admissions counselors are available to provide answers and assistance.