Bio : Kaufman Music Center

KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER

Established with the mission of providing access without barriers, Kaufman Music Center proudly programs a comprehensive musical experience for students, performers and audiences in New York and beyond. Merkin Hall, the Center’s intimate performance venue, provides unparalleled access to today’s most compelling artists, workshops and competitions, offering students, artists and audiences alike the chance to share music at the highest level. Its acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program also gives those performers the resources to develop groundbreaking, multidisciplinary projects as well as educational opportunities to mentor and inspire. Kaufman Music Center continuously cultivates and nurtures new generations of artists through Special Music School, New York’s only K-12 public school prioritizing an intensive, immersive and musically-focused education without financial barriers, as well as Lucy Moses School, Manhattan’s largest community performing arts school for students of all ages.

KATE SHEERAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kate Sheeran became Executive Director of Kaufman Music Center in August of 2018. Since then, she has launched several Center-wide initiatives, including Artists-in-Residence, robust community programming, and increased collaborations between the Center’s schools and professional presenting sides. Notably, she has led Kaufman Music Center through the COVID-19 crisis, resulting in programmatic and organizational success and international acclaim for its innovative approach during this time. Through the launch of Musical Storefronts, over 130 safe concerts were produced for the community and to employ professional artists when concert halls were closed. The initiative was featured in 60 print and television news stories spanning 17 countries including The New York Times, Forbes, BBC, Al Jazeera, CBS, ABC, and NBC. At the same time, Middle School students from Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School wrote and illustrated the book Who is Florence Price? which became published internationally by G. Schirmer and reached #1 in classical music biographies on Amazon. The story has been featured in national press including NPR, GMA3, and The Kelly Clarkson Show, and the project has resulted in an ongoing partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Previously, Kate served as Provost and Dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In that capacity, she served as the chief academic officer of the institution, oversaw all curricular and programmatic areas, led the faculty, and launched a professional development curriculum for all students. Earlier in her career, Kate was a member of the leadership team at Mannes School of Music, where she was an assistant dean and directed all pre-college and continuing education.

As a professional horn player, Kate has performed with a wide range of ensembles including Ensemble Signal, The Wordless Music Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound, Ensemble LPR, and the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She has recorded for the Nonesuch, Cantaloupe, Western Vinyl, New Amsterdam, XL, Tzadik and Warp labels, and for commercial television and film. Kate has been a faculty member at Dickinson College, Susquehanna University, Bucknell University and Mannes Prep.  

Kate received her undergraduate degree, Certificate in Arts Leadership, and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and an MM from the Yale School of Music. She has served on the Boards of Kinhaven Music School and Alarm Will Sound and is currently on the Boards of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District and JACK Quartet.