Interested in being a leader in the arts and beyond? The Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Certificate of Achievement (ALP) provides the space for students to explore career opportunities, balance performance skills with transferable skills, advocate for the arts, and build their professional portfolio. Students personalize their experience through course selection, internship choices, and advising by industry professionals. Those in the program gain knowledge of the music industry and the skills to become a leader in the field.
Who can apply for ALP? We are looking for Eastman students who wish to be a leader and change-agent in the community and the world. Accepted students are curious about developing their professional skills, learning about the wider trends in the arts world, and are adaptable in an ever-changing world. Undergraduates apply at the start of their junior year, masters during their first semester, and doctorates during first or third semester.
Interested but don’t know where to start? Here are some steps to both in and out of Eastman to take if you are interested in the Catherine Filene Shouse Certificate of Achievement:
In General
- Apply for an on-campus or summer job
- Attend conferences/workshops in fields you are interested in
- Run your own ensemble
- Volunteer in the community
- Develop and work on a professional project
At Eastman
- Take an IML Course
- Attend the Eastman Leadership Academy
- Make a career advising appointment
- Apply for one of our grants
- Become an orientation leader or board member of a student organization
As a Certificate Fellow, you would have access to many activities and events to guide your journey through the program. You will receive the following experiences throughout your time in this two-year program and for some time after graduation:
- Two paid, for-credit internships in the U.S & around the world
- Access to special funding to support professional development (including 2 years after graduation)
- Pre-registration for Arts Leadership (ALC) courses
- Personalized advising sessions and support during school and after graduation
- Specialized meetings with inspiring guest speakers and professionals
- A cohort of like-minded individuals that will offer support and guidance
- Alumni access to retreats, networking, and career resources
For more information, view our Catherine Filene Shouse Certificate of Achievement Requirements.
The internships take place in the second year of the program and are a central part of the ALP experience. During the academic year, we try to support local organizations. Over the summer, students can choose to travel nationally or internationally for their internships. To see a complete list of host organizations for our interns, check out our host organization database.
My perspective has been greatly influenced by my experience at Gateways, where I discovered various aspects of myself as a performer, administrator, and individual. The organization offered a plethora of opportunities to explore, and I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by compassionate and inspiring representatives of the arts who were dedicated to improving their communities through their work.
Kayla Sconiers ’24E (BM)
If you’re curious about where ALP fellows end up after their degree, explore our Alumni Journey database to see the projects, roles, performances, and engagements graduates are involved in!
To apply for the Catherine Filene Shouse Certificate of Achievement, you will need to complete three steps: request a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, supervisor, or mentor, answer three essay questions, and submit a resume. For more information about the application process, please visit our application page! Applications for the 2024 Cohort of ALP Fellows will open in July 2024 and will be due September 18, 2024.
If you have any questions about the application and are looking for assistance in completing the application, please contact our Program Director, Dr. Blaire Koerner, at alp@esm.rochester.edu and visit the Institute for Music Leadership for access to more career services and opportunities.
