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Music

An Overview

The Walnut Hill Music Department is the only high school program linking a major conservatory, New England Conservatory (NEC), with an independent school. This partnership engages students in a diverse and comprehensive music curriculum delivered at both Walnut Hill and NEC. Students can major in an orchestral instrument, piano, voice, composition, or jazz. The curriculum is enhanced by innovative performance projects, master classes by dynamic guest artists, and the thoughtful integration of contemporary topics such as entrepreneurship and civic engagement. Walnut Hill’s proximity to Boston allows students to attend a wide variety of concerts by major ensembles and soloists at the city's world-class concert halls. Our program—offered within an inspiring and creative community—prepares graduates to thrive in a conservatory, university, or college setting.

Our Programs

Orchestral Instruments

Piano

Composition

Jazz & Contemporary Musical Arts

Voice

Courses in Music

Student Work

Walnut Hill @ Rockport Music: Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major, Op. 20

Keila Wakao '24, violin
Samuel Igbo '24, violin
John Harry Clark '19, viola 
Seah Yu '24, cello

and the
Parker Quartet
Quartet-in-Residence at Walnut Hill 

Giannini Concerto Grosso
Chamber Music: Shostakovich Trio

Points of Pride

Music Faculty

Matthew Anderson

Matthew Anderson

Voice Teacher, Classical & Musical Theater
Jung-A Bang

Jung-A Bang

Collaborative Pianist and Chamber Music Coach
Joshua Belt

Joshua Belt

Adjunct Music Faculty
Teresa Blume

Teresa Blume

Head of Voice
Heidi Braun-Hill

Heidi Braun-Hill

Chamber Music Coach
Lisa Caliri

Lisa Caliri

Secondary Piano Teacher
William Cooper

William Cooper

Head of Theory and Composition
Jennifer Elowitch

Jennifer Elowitch

Director of Music
Rachel  Hottle

Rachel Hottle

Music Faculty
Craig Juricka

Craig Juricka

Voice Teacher, Classical and Musical Theater
Rachel Klippel

Rachel Klippel

Adjunct Music Faculty
Jennifer  Ortiz Valverde

Jennifer Ortiz Valverde

Music Department Assistant
Hannah Shields

Hannah Shields

Secondary Piano Teacher
Doina Simovici

Doina Simovici

Secondary Piano Teacher
Elaine Smith-Purcell

Elaine Smith-Purcell

Collaborative Pianist, Vocal Coach, Music Director (Opera)
Laura Thielke

Laura Thielke

Director of Chamber Music
Mark Tipton

Mark Tipton

Lead Instructor for Jazz & Contemporary Musical Arts, Residential Life Staff
Sarah Whitten

Sarah Whitten

Adjunct Voice Faculty
Ryan Yuré

Ryan Yuré

Chamber Music Coach

Course Catalog

Steps to Apply