Sheeran is the incoming dean of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, NY.
Kate Sheeran has been named dean of the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, effective July 15. In Eastman’s 100-year history, Sheeran is the first woman to hold the position. She succeeds Jamal Rossi, who served as dean since 2014. Sheeran was most recently executive director of the Kaufman School of Music in New York City, where she raised the endowment and launched initiatives including artists-in-residence, community programming, and increased collaborations between the center’s schools and public concerts in Merkin Hall. Previously, Sheeran served as provost and dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music; she was chief academic officer, oversaw curricular and programmatic areas, led the faculty, and launched a professional development curriculum. Sheeran was formerly an assistant dean and directed pre-college and continuing education at Mannes School of Music in NYC. She has been a faculty member at Dickinson College, Susquehanna University, Bucknell University, and Mannes Prep, part of Mannes School of Music. As a professional horn player, Sheeran has performed with a wide range of ensembles. She received an undergraduate degree, certificate in arts leadership, and performer’s certificate from Eastman, and a master’s in music degree from the Yale School of Music.
