Eastman School of Music announces that Eastman alumna Joan Beal ’84E, was awarded Eastman’s Dean’s Medal on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Established in 2008, the Dean’s Medal recognizes extraordinary service, philanthropy and leadership to the school, and dedication and commitment that inspires others to take leadership roles at the University.
Joan is pictured here in NYC with her husband Jeff Beal ’85E (left), Eastman Dean Jamal Rossi and his wife Pam.
Beal is only the fifth recipient of this prestigious award, which was bestowed upon her at a reception in New York City. Jamal J. Rossi, Eastman’s Joan and Martin Messinger Dean, comments, “Joan exemplifies the qualities above as indicated by being the first Eastman alumna in many decades to serve on the University of Rochester Board of Trustees. She is also the chair of Eastman’s National Council and co-chair of the Centennial Campaign for Eastman, which to date has raised $72 million. I, along with the entire Eastman community, thank Joan for the countless ways she and her husband, Emmy Award-winning composer Jeff Beal ’85E, support, promote and enhance our school and university.”
Beal, who received her Bachelor of Music degree at Eastman, had a long career as a vocal artist, including performances with the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Opera Company, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and can be heard on hundreds of film and television scores, recordings, and commercials. “I am incredibly honored to receive the Dean’s Medal, presented by my dear friend Dean Jamal Rossi,” shares Beal. “Volunteering for the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music is truly a joy for me. I am so inspired by our brilliant and dedicated students, alumni, faculty, administration, and staff. This honor is shared with my family: my husband Jeff, son Henry and my late parents, who have all cheered me on in my pursuits. And to any of my friends or colleagues who want to donate their time, talent and treasure to Eastman—I encourage you to do so!”
Media only: Jessica Kaufman, Director of Marketing & Communications,
(585) 278-4743, Jkaufman@esm.rochester.edu
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About Joan Beal
Joan Beal sang in the Los Angeles recording studios for 30 years, appearing on hundreds of film and television scores, albums, and commercials. She was vocal contractor and choral director for many composers, including Mark Isham, Christopher Lennertz, and her husband, fellow Eastman alum Jeff Beal (’85E.) In 2016, Joan and Jeff endowed The Beal Institute for Film and Contemporary Media at Eastman, establishing a masters degree program in composition for visual media. Now retired from singing professionally, Joan still enjoys collaborating with composers as a librettist.
Joan has served on the University of Rochester’s Board of Trustees since 2017, and as chair of Eastman’s National Council since 2020. She is currently co-chair of Eastman’s Centennial Campaign and enjoys being a mentor and connector for Eastman students and alumni. Jeff and Joan’s son, Henry Beal, is a Dallas-based composer, recording engineer, and bassist.
About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music — about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, NY, the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.