Performances + Events
Commencement
Each spring, family and friends are invited to join our graduates and celebrate their remarkable achievements at NEC’s annual commencement ceremony.
Students receive their degrees alongside a number of honorary degree recipients who, since the founding of the conservatory, have included some of the most distinguished figures in our field.
Commencement 2026
New England Conservatory conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees on the Class of 2026 during its 155th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17, that also included the presentation of honorary degrees to jazz saxophonist Gary Bartz ’26 hon. DM and Vivo Performing Arts President and Executive Director Gary Dunning ’26 hon. DM. Acclaimed mezzo-soprano and NEC alumna Denyce Graves ’88 UD, ’14 hon. DM delivered the Commencement address.
