Kate Sheeran serves as Eastman’s Joan and Martin Messinger Dean, beginning in 2024. She previously served as executive director of Kaufman Music Center. In that position, Sheeran launched several center-wide initiatives, including artists-in-residence, robust community programming, and increased collaborations between the center’s two schools and concert presentations in their renowned Merkin Hall. Under her leadership, the organization nearly doubled its endowment, strengthening its financial future. Established with the mission of providing access without barriers, Kaufman Music Center provides innovative programs and music education to 3,000 students and 50,000 audience members of all ages and backgrounds each year. During the COVID pandemic, Sheeran organized Musical Storefronts, presenting more than 130 safe concerts produced for the community and employing professional artists when concert halls were closed. The pop-up concert series delivered needed joy and a sense of connection through live music, as well as garnered worldwide media attention.

Previously, Sheeran served as provost and dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In that capacity, she was 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, Sheeran was a member of the leadership team at Mannes School of Music in New York City, where she was an assistant dean and directed all pre-college and continuing education. She has been a faculty member at Dickinson College, Susquehanna University, Bucknell University, and Mannes Prep, part of Mannes School of Music.

As a professional horn player, Sheeran has performed with a wide range of ensembles, including Ensemble Signal, The Wordless Music Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound (an ensemble founded at Eastman), 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.

She received an undergraduate degree, certificate in arts leadership, and performer’s certificate from Eastman, and a master’s in music degree 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 board of JACK Quartet, another Eastman alumni-founded ensemble.