New England Conservatory Adds Three World-Renowned Faculty to Strings & Woodwinds Departments

New England Conservatory Adds Three World-Renowned Faculty to Strings & Woodwinds Departments 

Violist Wenting Kang, cellist Julie Albers, and clarinetist Christopher Elchico join NEC’s powerhouse strings and chamber music faculty, offering new private studio and performance opportunities for current and incoming students

BOSTON — New England Conservatory (NEC) announces three new faculty appointments to its world-class roster of music educators. Violist Wenting Kang ('12 MM, '24 GD), cellist Julie Albers, and clarinetist Christopher Elchico begin their appointments in the Fall of 2024. Recognized for their outstanding contributions to music education, these artists bring a wealth of experience and expertise to both student mentorship and performances. As NEC continues to foster an inspiring and supportive musical community, these faculty members are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of musicians, locally in Boston and on a global scale.

“NEC is thrilled to welcome these three outstanding artists to our esteemed faculty, further enriching the vibrant musical community at NEC. It is a special pleasure to welcome alumna Wenting Kang back to the place where she honed her musical voice. As a soloist, chamber, orchestral musician and pedagogue, cellist Julie Albers exemplifies the multi-faceted approach to music we aim to instill in our students. And as one of the newest and youngest members of the BSO, clarinetist Christopher Elchico is bringing new energy and insight to the next generation of wind players,” said Ben Sosland, Provost and Dean of the Faculty. “The appointment of these three musicians ensures that the legacy of excellence for which NEC has long been known will continue well into the future. I am excited to see the lasting impact they will have on our students.”

Violist Wenting Kang, an acclaimed performing and recording artist, joins NEC from the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid, where she has been an assistant professor alongside the renowned violist Nobuko Imai since 2016. A former violist of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Wenting is currently the principal violist of Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid at Teatro Real of Spain, as well as one of the founding members of the Madrid Soloists Chamber Orchestra. Wenting studied at Central Conservatory in Beijing, New England Conservatory, and the Kronberg Academy in Germany, under the guidance of renowned teachers such as Nobuko Imai, Kim Kashkashian, Garth Knox, Donald Weilerstein, Miriam Fried, and Changhai Wang. Her debut CD recording with pianist Sergei Kvitko, “Mosaic,” was released in 2022 to critical acclaim, winning the gold medal in the Melómano Magazine in Spain. Its tracks were selected to the “Best New Classical” playlist on Spotify, and selected for the “New Music Friday” playlist of the American Society of Composers and Publishers. Previously, Wenting has collaborated with Gil Rose and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project on the recording of Serenade No. 1 of George Perle.

Wenting Kang says, “New England Conservatory has inspired and shaped many young musicians’ dreams and personalities, including mine—which gives me an extra sense of joy and honor to be joining the viola faculty. I truly look forward to finding a creative home with NEC’s admired artists and gifted students!”

NEC’s current viola faculty members include Nicholas Cords, Kim Kashkashian, Mai Motobuchi, Melissa Reardon, and Marcus Thompson.

Cellist Julie Albers is recognized for her superlative artistry, her charismatic and radiant performing style, and her intense musicianship. Born into a musical family, Julie was awarded the Grand Prize at the XIII International Competition for Young Musicians in Douai, France, which led to a tour of France as soloist with Orchestre Symphonique de Douai. She then made her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1998, and has since performed across North America, Asia, and Europe as both a recitalist and soloist. She counts chamber music as one of her specialities, and was a member of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Two from 2006–2009, is active with the Albers String Trio and Cortona Trio, and is principal cellist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Julie currently holds the Mary Jean and Charles Yates Cello Chair at the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

Julie Albers says, "I am honored to be joining the faculty of the New England Conservatory. There is such a rich history of cello playing and pedagogy at NEC, and it is an incredible thrill to become a part of this legacy."

NEC’s current cello faculty members include Lluís Claret, Blaise Déjardin, Paul Katz, Yeesun Kim, and Laurence Lesser.

Clarinetist Christopher Elchico joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as second clarinet in March 2022. He has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Kansas City Symphony, and New World Symphony. His principal teachers were Burt Hara, associate principal clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and James Campbell, professor emeritus of clarinet at Jacobs School of Music Indiana University, where Elchico completed a dual master’s degree in clarinet and classical saxophone performance. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles. Elchico is a Buffet Group USA and Vandoren Performing Artist.

Christopher Elchico says, “I am fortunate to have had so many incredible mentors. If not for them, I never would have studied music in college, pursued clarinet after studying saxophone, continued to take orchestral auditions and, after years of odd jobs, gigs and teaching, finally live my dream. I am truly humbled and excited to be joining the faculty at the New England Conservatory so that I can encourage musicians just as I was.”

NEC’s current clarinet faculty members include Bill Hudgins, Thomas Martin, Andrew Sandwick, and Richard Stoltzman.

About New England Conservatory (NEC)
Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston’s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians’ impact on advancing our shared humanity, and empowers students to meet today’s changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance.

As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz and contemporary improvisation. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, it empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Expanded Education division delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.

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