Mr. Sheeran will become the school's eighth dean on July 15.
Kate Sheeran ’02E will begin her leadership role as dean of the Eastman School of Music on July 15. (Photo provided)
Alumnus Kate Sheeran ’02E is an accomplished educator, academic administrator, professional musician, and executive director of the Kaufman Music Center in New York City, and the Joan and Martin Messenger Dean of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Appointed. President David Figlio announced Mr. Sheeran's appointment, effective July 15.
“Kate Sheeran brings extensive and impressive leadership experience in music education to Eastman, including unique areas in both higher education and community music education,” said university president Sarah Mangelsdorf. I am. “At Kaufman Music Center, she established and grew a wide range of initiatives to cultivate the next generation of musical talent, providing access, encouragement and programming to aspiring young performers, and providing access to today's most notable As an Eastman alumnus and highly talented musician, she quickly embraced the school's world-class intellectual and creative environment. I know he will contribute to the standing of the school in an extraordinary way.”
In Eastman University's 100-year history, Ms. Sheeran is the eighth dean and the first woman to hold the position. She succeeds Jamal Rossi, who has served as the Joan and Martin Messenger Dean since 2014. In May 2023, Mr. Rossi announced that he would retire as dean at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, after 10 years in the position.
“Kate is an exceptional leader who brings an exciting vision for music education to this role and a keen sense of how Eastman can have the most impact in the world of music,” said Figlio. say. “She also understands the important role Eastman School of Music plays in our community and the extraordinary influence Eastman has around the world. I can think of no better person to work with my amazing faculty colleagues to build on the many successes we have had and make Eastman's second century even more glorious than its first.”
As executive director of the Kaufman Music Center, Sheeran initiated several center-wide initiatives, including artist-in-residence, strong community programming, increased collaboration between the center's two schools, and concert presentations in the famous Merkin Hall. Did. Under her leadership, the organization nearly doubled its endowment and strengthened its financial future. Founded with a mission to provide access without barriers, Kaufman Music Center brings innovative programs and music education to her 3,000 students and her 50,000 audience members of all ages and backgrounds each year. It offers. During the coronavirus pandemic, Sheeran organized Musical Storefront, holding more than 130 safe concerts produced for the community and hiring professional artists while concert halls were closed. Her pop-up concert series delivered a much-needed sense of joy and connection through live music and garnered media attention around the world.
Previously, Sheeran served as president and dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In her position, she was the institution's chief academic officer, overseeing all curriculum and program areas, leading faculty, and launching a professional development curriculum for all students. . Early in her career, Sheeran was a member of the leadership team at the Mannes School of Music in New York City, where she served as assistant dean and directed all pre-college and continuing education. She has served on the faculty at Dickinson College, Susquehanna University, Bucknell University, and Mann's Prep, which is part of the Mann's School of Music.
As a professional horn player, Sheeran has performed with a wide variety of ensembles, including Ensemble Signal, Wordless Music Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound (an ensemble founded at Eastman), Ensemble LPR, and San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She has recorded for the Nonesuch, Cantaloupe, Western Vinyl, New Amsterdam, XL, Tzadik, and Warp labels, as well as commercial television and film.
She received a bachelor's degree, a certificate in artistic leadership, and a performer's certificate from Eastman, and a master's degree in music from the Yale School of Music. She has served on the boards of Kinhaven School of Music and Alarm Will Sound, and currently serves on the board of the Jack Quartet, another ensemble founded by Eastman alumni.
“It is a great honor to accept the role of dean of the Eastman School of Music,” says Sheeran. “This is a place I truly love and has helped shape me as a musician, leader, and person. I look forward to working with Eastman and the university community, and the city of Rochester, to lead Eastman into the future.” I'm looking forward to it. We're going to accomplish great things together!”
By appointment approved by the University's Board of Trustees, Dean Eastman reports to the University President and serves as a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet. Sheeran will continue to play a leadership role in ensuring Eastman School's continued influence as a top music school. Eastman's 900 active undergraduate and graduate students are one of the world's most respected music schools with world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, dedicated alumni, and talented students. Gain access to both an elite comprehensive professional music school education and music schools around the world. – All resources for class faculty, courses, and private research universities. The school's 110 full-time faculty and 56 part-time faculty work across her 13 departments, providing the highest standards of teaching and scholarly research. Each year, Eastman University students, faculty, and guest artists perform his more than 900 concerts in the Rochester community. Additionally, Eastman Community Music School enrolls her more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from infants to senior citizens.
The committee partnered with outside search firm Isaacson Miller to recruit and recommend candidates for this leadership role. Chaired by Mark Taubman, former dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center, the committee consisted of the following members:
Christopher Azara, Professor of Music Education and Learning, Eastman Joan Beal, University of Rochester Board Member Michael Britt, Paul J. Burgett Distinguished Professor of Percussion, Eastman Nicole Cavell, Assistant Professor of Voice, Eastman Jeff Campbell, Jazz Teaching Research and Contemporary Media, Eastman John Hayne, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Eastman Renee Jolls, Wegman Family Professor of Violin, Eastman Lee Koonce, Gateways Music Festival President and Artistic Director Marina Lomasov , Piano Professor, Eastman Tim Long, Eastman Associate Professor of Opera. Eastman Opera Theater Music Director Julia Ng, Eastman Assistant Director of Concert Operations, Eastman Massumi Per Rostad, Associate Professor of Viola, Eastman. Faculty Senate Co-Chair Kayla Sconiers, Eastman Student Association Vice President Crystal Sellers Battle, Eastman University Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion Amanda Sharp, Eastman University Associate Director of Academic Affairs.Genesee Staff Council Co-Chair Mark Volpe, Executive Director Emeritus, Boston Symphony Orchestra Holly Watkins, Eastman Professor of Music Mark Watters, Eastman Associate Professor of Contemporary Media and Film Composition
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