Kate Sheeran to Succeed
Lydia Kontos as
Executive Director of
Kaufman Music Center

Kate_Sheeran_1570x1776

Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to announce that my successor has been appointed by Kaufman Music Center’s Board of Trustees. I am honored to have the opportunity to share this news with you.

The Board has appointed Kate Sheeran as Kaufman Music Center’s new Executive Director. As an accomplished educator and arts administrator, a champion of new music, and a professional French horn player, Kate is uniquely positioned to lead the Center into our next chapter.

Kate will be coming to us from San Francisco, where she has served since 2015 as Provost and Dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has significant experience in the New York City music world, having previously served as Assistant Dean at Mannes School of Music at The New School. She holds a Bachelor of Music in applied horn, with a Certificate of Arts Leadership, and a Master of Music from Yale University. 

Read a press release announcing Kate's appointment.

Kate will assume her position in mid-August. She and I will overlap for a few weeks, while she gets acclimated to her new role.

I was very excited to hear about Kate’s appointment by the Board’s Search Committee. There are many, many skills required to run the Center effectively, but the most important skills to me are that my successor should have a commitment to the equal importance of music education and performance,  and should have a nature that combines strength and warmth. I saw these qualities clearly when I met Kate, and I am eager to get to know her better, and to help her in any way I can.

There is no bitter to this sweetness. I have taken nearly a year to think about my life and about the transition ahead of me, which I was certain would be timely and right for me and for the Center. When I heard the news of Kate’s appointment, I was delighted. Given Kate’s experience, background, and passion for our mission, I can’t think of a better person to lead this institution into the future.

I know you will all enjoy getting to know Kate. She is greatly looking forward to getting to know you, and to our continued work together to help the Center thrive.

With gratitude,


Lydia Kontos
Executive Director, Kaufman Music Center

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