June 3 – 6, 2025
Join a community of leaders
As leaders in today’s music schools, we are charged with navigating a continually evolving professional musical world for our graduates and our institutions. We share the common goal of preparing students for a field that is shifting paradigms, business models, and essential skills. We must understand the opportunities and challenges that these changes present and engage faculty, staff, students, boards, and donors in the visionary evolution of our institutions in such a way that acknowledges tradition while embracing innovation.
Are you ready?
What It Is.
A 3 1/2-day intensive and immersive conference that will enhance your leadership effectiveness and develop new perspectives, skills and tools to effectively lead and manage your school, department, faculty, and students in today’s modern music school landscape.
Who It’s For.
Capped at only 30 participants, this intimate conference is for current and aspiring deans, associate/assistant deans, department chairs, and any faculty or staff members of music schools currently in or aspiring to leadership positions.
What You Gain.
Enhanced individual leadership effectiveness and the development of new perspectives, skills and tools all accomplished through specific learning objectives and goals incorporated throughout the conference.
Conference Faculty
Kate Sheeran
Joan and Martin Messinger Dean
Eastman School of Music
David Gier
Dean, School of Music, Theatre & Dance
University of Michigan
Nate Zeisler
Provost
The Colburn School
Conference Setting
Eastman Leadership Conference guests will participate in hands-on workshops, intensive study sessions, and lively, vibrant discussions in the comfort of Ciminelli Lounge. It’s a bright and warm space designed for intimate recitals and recording sessions – perfect for the in-depth work you’ll be engaged in.
But in between sessions, we hope to show you some of our favorite spots in downtown Rochester. We’ve arranged for a series of lunches, dinners, and cocktails that not only give you the chance to connect and build your network more deeply, but will stimulate your senses as well. Some of the restaurants are within walking distance, while others are just a short shuttle ride away. After each dinner, we’ve arranged for shuttles to bring you back to your hotels nestled in the downtown cityscape where you can choose to turn in for the night, or head out to the city to explore.
Travel & Accommodations
Airport
Fly into the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC). The airport is a 15-minute drive from downtown Rochester, NY.
Note: While we have arranged for any transportation you may need during the conference, we will not be providing transportation to and from the airport; however, Rochester does have taxis, or you can order an Uber or Lyft.
Travel
Charter buses to/from the hotels will be provided once in the morning and once in the evening. Most restaurants and bars for conference lunches and dinners will be a 2-3 block walk. We will provide shuttles for any meals that are a bit farther away.
Hotel Stay
To help accommodate your stay, we’ve set up a blocks of rooms at the following hotels. After you’ve registered for the Conference, you will receive information for booking one of the rooms from our special, discounted block. You’re also welcome to stay at another hotel or Airbnb during your time here.
Please note that the Conference begins at 9AM on Tuesday, June 3 and concludes on Friday, June 6 around 1 PM. The room blocks are for 4 nights, (6/2-6/6).
Hotel Information
Meals
Breakfast will be provided by your hotel, courtesy of the Eastman Leadership Conference. We will also supply you with plenty of coffee, tea, water, and snacks throughout the sessions. Lunches and dinners, both included with your registration fee, will highlight some of the top restaurants in our thriving food scene here in Rochester. Specific restaurants will be detailed in the conference schedule you receive after registration, but below are some examples of restaurants we’ve used in the past (and plan to use again because they’re just so good!).
*Note: We do our best to accommodate all dietary needs and food allergies. If you have any dietary requests, there will be a space in your registration form to let us know.
COVID Guidelines
The Conference will adhere to all the guidelines set forth by the University of Rochester. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the UR COVID-19 Resource Center.
Take the Next Step
Make the case for your attendance
Scholarships are available for individuals from Yamaha Institutions of Excellence. Please contact your institution for more information, or contact us with questions.
