NEC grad takes gold

A recently graduated artist diploma student at New England Conservatory snatched a gold medal at the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Narek Hakhnazaryan, 22, was born in Armenia, studied at the Moscow Conservatory, and came to Boston for graduate training with NEC’s Laurence Lesser. Two violinists with local connections also placed at the competition. Also in the awards department, John Conklin, Boston Lyric Opera’s artistic adviser, is a recipient of the NEA’s 2011 Opera Honors. And Ludovic Morlot, a former BSO assistant conductor, continues his rapid rise with an appointment to his first major opera post. He’s already due to take over the Seattle Symphony in the fall. Now he’ll also be the chief conductor of La Monnaie in Brussels, starting next year.