Adam Calus Joins NEC as Director of Preparatory School

On Tuesday, February 28, multi-instrumentalist and educator Adam Calus joins NEC as Director of the Preparatory School.

“Adam’s experience as a professional musician, educator, and program manager will be invaluable as we look to build upon the strength of Prep to enhance and expand the opportunities available to our youngest musicians at NEC,”

said Sarah Caggiano, NEC's Executive Director of Expanded Education, who is charged with leading the Preparatory School as well as new opportunities for NEC to reach students of all ages and backgrounds.

Most recently, Calus served as the Founder and CEO of Education Through Music—Massachusetts (ETM-MA), which partners with under-resourced schools to provide music as a core subject for students. In this role, Calus oversaw all operations, including program development and execution, financial management, fundraising, marketing, and communications.

"I am so honored to be welcomed into the NEC community as the new Prep Director. I cannot wait to dive in and continue building relationships with the wonderful faculty, staff, students, parents, and NEC leadership that make this school so special,”

said Calus.

“I hope to bring my years of experience as a music educator, community musician, and nonprofit leader to the incredible educational experiences already happening. I plan to continue the current best practices and traditions of the school while collaboratively and carefully considering what the future looks like with everyone in the community represented in the discussion.”

A singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Calus holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music where he also took courses in Music Education, Jazz Composition and Conducting, and a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. His graduate research focused on inclusive and anti-racist music education, pop music pedagogy, hip hop pedagogy, and creating classroom spaces where all students can bring the music they learn from the classroom into their world.

Calus is currently an Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts at Berklee College of Music, as well as the founder and co-director of a community music project called Beantown Sessions, aimed at creating inclusive music-making spaces in Boston and unifying the Boston music scene through public performances, JAMs, open studio sessions, and paid opportunities. From 2015 to 2020, Calus served as Arts Director at Charlestown High School where he revived the school’s music program.

“In welcoming Adam, I would also like to thank Zach Roberson for his incredible leadership as Interim Director during this transition period,”

said Caggiano.

“This is such an exciting time of growth for Prep, and I am so energized by all of the collaborative work ahead.”

Lucy Chapman Rejoins NEC As Special Advisor to Prep

NEC faculty emerita Lucy Chapman will also join the Prep leadership team as Special Advisor. Working closely with both Calus and Caggiano, Chapman will help to lead deep, productive discussions with faculty members around Prep’s mission and future as we consider the best ways to elevate and expand our work.

Registration is open

The Preparatory School's flagship summer program, the Summer Orchestra Institute (SOI) is accepting applications through March 1. SOI gathers talented musicians ages 13 – 18 for two weeks of orchestral joy in Boston, July 16 – July 30. Learn more and register