Meet Njioma Chinyere Grevious, a rising star in the world of classical music known for her exceptional talent playing the violin. Thanks to rigorous training and a flair for innovative interpretations, she has been recognized for her performances and has won several competitions. But beyond her musical gift, she is a trailblazer in promoting diversity in the arts, especially within the classical music space. Grevious has already left her mark on classical music and is inspiring future generations of musicians.
Ahead, we dive deeper into Grevious’ life and ambition and highlight Robert F. Smith’s work with organizations that support youth like Grevious and help them pursue their dreams.
Early Life
Grevious was raised in a family that supported her passion for music and began training as a violinist at the age of four. Her parents and early mentors played a pivotal role in nurturing her talent and guiding her as she developed her skills.
For years, Grevious was a scholarship recipient through Boston’s Project STEP string training program for Black and Latino youth. She also received formal training from some of the most prestigious institutions for performing arts and education, including the Juilliard School, where she was a Gluck Fellow and won the John Erskine Prize for scholastic and artistic achievement. Her education and encouragement from her family shaped her rise in the classical music scene.
“Believe in yourself and your ideas. Confidence and conviction in your musical voice will bring you very far! Become as consistent as possible in making time for practice. Seek out opportunities to perform with others. And of course, constant curiosity!”
Accomplishments and Recognitions
Over the years, Grevious’ recordings and media appearances have drawn attention to her unique approach to the violin, blending classical tradition with a fresh, personal interpretation that resonates with current audiences. And her talent and style has led to significant acclaim, most notably as a winner of the prestigious Sphinx Competition, which highlights the talent of young Black and Latinx classical musicians. In 2023, she took home the Robert F. Smith First Prize and the Audience Choice Award in the Senior Division.
That same year, she secured the Grand Prize in both the Concert Artist Guild (CAG) and the Young Classical Artist Trust (YCAT) CAG Elmaleh Competition. In 2022, she won concert competitions at the University of Delaware and the Newark Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she was awarded the Music Academy of the West Keston-Max Fellowship, which allowed her to study and perform with the London Symphony Orchestra. Grevious was also the 2018 Prix Ravel first prize winner for Performance and Interpretation at the in Fontainebleau, France.
Over the years, she has collaborated with many artists and ensembles, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to diverse musical settings. In 2023, Grevious performed at the Concert Artist Guild Gala in New York City and was a part of the Abeo Quartet. In the 2024 – 2025 season, Grevious debuts as a soloist at Carnegie Hall with the Sphinx Virtuosi.
Smith’s Commitment to the Sphinx
Smith, Chairman of Carnegie Hall, has been a longtime supporter of young musicians like Grevious and the Sphinx Organization. In 2016, Smith made a significant donation to Sphinx to establish the coveted Robert Frederick Smith Prize, which grants the winner of the Senior Division of the Sphinx Competition each year, like Grevious, $50,000. In 2019, Smith, alongside Fund II Foundation, of which he is the founding director and President, donated $3 million to the organization to further support its efforts to provide leadership and career development programs to young musicians.
Stay up-to-date on the latest from the Sphinx Organization and how it supports aspiring musicians by visiting its website.
And, learn more about Smith’s support of diversity in the arts by following him on LinkedIn.
“Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Concerto for Violin in G Minor, op. 80, Movement I: Allegro Maestoso” by Sphinx Organization
