About SMTD
Welcome
Welcome to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance!
It is an honor, a joy, and a privilege to serve as dean of this great school. SMTD is an exceptional place to launch your artistic and academic journey. Here you will receive one-on-one training with educators who are also working artists and researchers at the top of their fields. At the same time, you will enjoy boundless opportunities to explore a vast range of academics, from across the University, allowing you to craft a program of study that is tailored specifically to your interests and career goals.
In this transformational setting, SMTD provides a unique combination of focused conservatory training along with multi-disciplinary and entrepreneurial curricula designed to truly empower the next generation of artists and scholars. Our overarching goal is to equip each student with the crucial skills necessary to build an artistically and financially rewarding life, embedded in their field of study. The success of our program can be seen in the success of our alumni, which includes major award winners in every discipline we offer.
Our unique position as a top ranked performing arts program at the University of Michigan – the country’s number one public research university – offers students an unparalleled breadth of opportunities through self-empowerment, thoughtful mentorship from a world-class and extraordinarily dedicated resident faculty, and immersive experiences amongst a diverse and engaged university community.
Please explore this website to learn about our programs, faculty, facilities, performance opportunities, and everything else we offer. And do check back with us often, as SMTD is a cultural hub for many activities throughout the year as you’ll see from our performance calendar. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Our team and I are always available to answer any questions you may have, and appreciate your interest and support of our school, our students, and our community.
David Gier
Dean and Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music
School of Music, Theatre & Dance
SMTD Dean David Gier
Strategic Framework 2025-2035
The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance stands as a vibrant community where teaching, learning, and artistic discovery flourish through deep care, purposeful collaboration, and meaningful connection. As one of the nation’s premier performing arts schools within a distinguished public research university, we embrace our privilege and responsibility to create an expansive, welcoming environment where diverse voices, perspectives, and artistic expressions enrich our shared journey of growth and innovation. Our commitment to excellence on the national stage is matched by our dedication to accessibility and public engagement, positioning us as leaders in advancing the performing arts across the country and beyond.
The SMTD Strategic Framework is the culmination of a multi-year effort to capture and document the SMTD community’s aspirations. Substantive input from across our community — faculty, staff, and students — provided its foundation. As the university’s Vision 2034 came into focus, work continued to ensure our alignment with the course charted by U-M. Within this document, we affirm our strengths, showcase our vitality, and articulate the school’s significance to the world in which we live.
Senior Leadership
- David Gier, Dean and Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music
- Christi-Anne Castro, Associate Dean for Faculty Development
- Jason Corey, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
- Kate Fitzpatrick, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs
- Mica Harrison Loosemore, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Management
- Ericka Bigelow, Chief Advancement Officer
- Eli Salembier, Chief Administrative Officer
- Deedee Ulintz, Director of Academic and Student Affairs
Executive Committee
- John Granzow, Department of Performing Arts Technology
- Freda Herseth, Department of Voice & Opera
- Stefano Mengozzi, Department of Musicology
- Sarah M Oliver, Department of Theatre & Drama
- Doug Perkins, Department of Winds & Percussion
- Courtney Snyder, Department of Conducting
Department Chairs
- Chamber Music – Matt Albert
- Composition – Erik Santos
- Conducting –
- Dance – Jillian Hopper (Interim)
- Entrepreneurship & Leadership – Jonathan Kuuskoski
- Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation – Andrew Bishop
- Music Education – Michael Hopkins
- Music Theory –
- Musical Theatre – Cynthia Westphal (Acting Chair)
Catherine Walker (Associate Chair) - Musicology – Gabriela Cruz
- Organ – Nicole Keller
- Performing Arts Technology – Michael Gurevich
- Piano – Christopher Harding
- Strings – David Halen
- Theatre & Drama – Tiffany Trent
- Voice & Opera – Stephen West
- Winds & Percussion – Amy Porter
Department Chairs
- Chamber Music – Matt Albert
- Composition – Erik Santos
- Conducting –
- Dance – Jillian Hopper (Interim)
- Entrepreneurship & Leadership – Jonathan Kuuskoski
- Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation – Andrew Bishop
- Music Education – Michael Hopkins
- Music Theory –
- Musical Theatre – Cynthia Westphal
Catherine Walker (Associate Chair) - Musicology – Gabriela Cruz
- Organ – Nicole Keller
- Performing Arts Technology – Michael Gurevich
- Piano – Christopher Harding
- Strings – David Halen
- Theatre & Drama – Tiffany Trent
- Voice & Opera – Stephen West
- Winds & Percussion – Amy Porter
Directors
- Amy Cheng, Program Director for the Chamber Music Guest Artist Mentor Residencies
- Paul Feeny, Director of Concerts and Events
- Karen Fournier, Director of Research
- Joseph Gascho, Director of the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments
- Randy Bibri, Director of Piano Technology
- Jason Fettig, Director of University Bands
- Holly Hughes, Interarts Performance BFA Program Director
- Kenneth Kiesler, Director of University Orchestras
- Jeffrey Kuras, Executive Director of University Productions
- Greg Laman, Director of Technology
- Beth Miller, Director of Marketing, Communications & Campaign Strategy
- Nancy Murphy, Director of the Program in Music Studies
- John Pasquale, Director of Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands
- Doug Perkins, Director of Percussion Studies
- Sarah Jane Rau, Director of Engagement & Community Outreach
- Eugene Rogers, Director of Choral Activities
- Eli Salembier, Director of Finance and Operations
- Erik Santos, Director of Electronic Music Studio
- Edward Sarath, Co-Director, Program in Creativity and Consciousness Studies
- Amy Truckey, Director of Human Resources
- DeeDee Ulintz, Director of Academic and Student Affairs