As the Associate Director of the Institute for Music Leadership (IML), Dr. Blaire Koerner’s mission is to provide resources and opportunities for creatives to envision, create and sustain successful careers in an ever-changing field. In this role, Dr. Koerner oversees the Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Certificate of Achievement, IML curriculum and experiential opportunities, such as internships and professional development grants. In addition, she is a Career Advisor, supporting graduate students and young alums in one-on-one meetings to help them discover personal, professional, and artistic goals. Lastly, Dr. Koerner is an adjunct instructor of Arts and Music Leadership at Eastman, teaching the 2-credit “Creating a Modern Music Career” and the cumulative Capstone Project of the MA in Music Leadership. To continue to support the curricular and research growth of the field of music leadership, Dr. Koerner joined the board of Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education (SAEE) in 2024.

In addition to her work at Eastman, Dr. Koerner is an accomplished bassoonist and educator. She performs in a bassoon and harp duo (Hats+Heels) that focuses on storytelling and is a freelancer in the upstate New York area. As an educator, Dr. Koerner’s roles include adjunct bassoon professor at Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music. She also taught at the Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) from 2016-2024 as the bassoon instructor and woodwind chamber coach.

Dr. Koerner completed her DMA at the Eastman School of Music in Bassoon Performance, with a Collegiate Teaching minor. She also holds a Masters of Music degree in Bassoon Performance from Eastman, a M.Ed in Elementary Education and B.S. in Bassoon Performance both from Hofstra University.

An old soul, Dr. Koerner can be found enjoying classic hobbies – gardening, antiquing, crocheting, and cuddling with her cat Orzo. She is also known for her ever-growing collection of hats from all eras, a slight obsession of hers.