Hometown:
Flint, Michigan
Education:
Rice University Bachelor of Music 2026 (expected)
Bio:
Najee Greenlee is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree studying at Rice University with Richie Hawley. Previously, Najee has participated in the National Repertory Orchestra and Aspen Music Festival where he performed with the Conducting Academy Orchestra. In 2023, Najee was a winner of the Shepherd School of Music Concerto Competition, and performed with the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra in April 2024.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I was inspired to become a musician after coming across a recording of Mozart’s Gran Partita in middle school.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Frédéric Chopin, Jean Françaix, and Gustav Mahler.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I switched to the bassoon after a year of playing clarinet but moved to a different school and went back to playing the clarinet. Luckily, I was saved from a life of making reeds.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Watching movies or cycling.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I choose the NRO for the opportunity to perform a wide range of music at the frequency of a professional orchestra. This, along with the opportunity to perform chamber music through the community engagement program, makes the NRO a very well-rounded program. My goal is to have a career that includes both chamber music and orchestral playing, which makes the NRO a great opportunity.