Presidential Search Committee Named

In June 2015, Tony Woodcock will step down as President of New England Conservatory to begin the next chapter in his long and successful career. We celebrate his legacy to NEC, and also prepare for the future of the institution by beginning the search for a new, visionary leader.

To that end, NEC has formed a Search Committee representing a wide variety of stakeholders, perspectives, and musical disciplines. It will be chaired by Michael Thonis, NEC Trustee, NEC Preparatory School parent, and Managing Director of Charlesbank Capital Partners. Thomas Novak, NEC Provost and Dean of the College, has agreed to serve as interim president beginning July 1 and continuing through the duration of the search. He has asked not to be considered for the permanent position.

Unlike conventional searches, a particular focus of the Committee's work will be consulting with Advisory Groups that represent various aspects of the music field. These conversations will help shape the Committee’s definition of the candidate who can lead NEC in preparing its students to be 21st-century musicians and citizen-artists. The Advisory Groups will include students and alumni, faculty, educators, arts leaders, and music industry professionals.

Presidential Search Committee

Clint Bajakian '87 B.M., NEC alumnus; NEC Trustee; Creative Director/Senior Composer, Pyramind Studios

Leslie Wu Foley, Dean and Executive Director, Preparatory and Continuing Education, NEC

Edward Guo '08 B.M., NEC alumnus; Founder, IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project); Attorney, Weil, Gotshal & Manges

Suzanne Hegland,  Associate Dean of Students, NEC

Nicholas Kitchen '92 A.D., NEC alumnus; NEC faculty; Founding member, Borromeo String Quartet, NEC ensemble-in-residence

Joshua Major, Chair of Opera Studies, NEC

Thomas B. McGrath, NEC Trustee; Chief Operating Officer, STX Entertainment
   
Efstratios Minakakis '04 M.M., NEC alumnus; NEC faculty, Music Theory

Nedelka Prescod '12 M.M., NEC alumna; NEC faculty, Contemporary Improvisation and Jazz Studies

Kairyn L. Rainer, Chief of Staff, New England Conservatory

Sally L. Rubin, NEC Overseer; NEC Preparatory School and College parent; Director of Investments, Planned Giving, BNY Mellon

Richard Svoboda, NEC faculty; NEC Preparatory School and College parent; Principal Bassoon, Boston Symphony Orchestra

Michael Thonis, Chair, NEC Trustee; NEC Preparatory School parent; Managing Director, Charlesbank Capital Partners

Ex Officio Members

Thomas W. Blumenthal, Vice Chair and Treasurer, NEC Board of Trustees; Partner, Co-Head Private Investment Group, The Baupost Group

Kennett F. Burnes, Chair, NEC Board of Trustees; Lead Director, State Street Corporation

Thomas Novak, Provost and Dean of the College, Interim President (beginning July 1, 2015), NEC

Committed to ensuring that NEC fulfills its broad future aspirations, the Committee welcomes feedback and suggestions. Please send any comments to presidential.search@necmusic.edu

For further information, check the NEC Website.