Message from the Dean
Dean's Greetings - September 2023
The 2023-24 academic year promises to be yet another extraordinary year, with its dizzying plethora of scholarly and performance activities, residencies, masterclasses, and community outreach initiatives, integral and vital components of Southern Ontario’s cultural ecosystem.
It is deeply moving to witness the talent and passion of our community being stewarded by a close knit and exemplary family of music educators, scholars, and performers who inspire, lead, and innovate in their many uniquely individual ways. The scope and influence of our alumni nationally and internationally never ceases to astonish me – as long committed music educators in our schools, professors and world-class scholars, composers, producers, performers, Broadway and pop artists, and administrators of top music schools internationally, their continued impact on our post-pandemic musical ecosystem is truly formidable. Their influence and success is testimony to the strength and diversity of our educational experience, providing a strong yet flexible foundation that allows for uniquely individual voices and trajectories.
As we continue to navigate the inevitable uncertainties and opportunities of our current environment, I believe the beauty and humanity of music will be a decisive factor in defining the very meaning and relevance of human existence in the face of accelerating artificial intelligence, automation, technology, and climate change. Our community’s leadership and advocacy is needed more than ever, and I am excited at what we have to bring and contribute to the betterment of society and the world.
I am immensely grateful to each and every one of our loyal alumni. Your dedication to us, and stewardship of your educational experiences and talent has been a critical component of our continued success, and important models to our students. You know firsthand the value and uniqueness of our educational experience and individually tailored environment, and as our most important ambassadors, our future students love to hear from you.
I look forward to connecting with many of you this year - whether at events on campus such as Homecoming or Parsons and Poole, or on the road at alumni gatherings, meetings and conferences such as OMEA.
Your unwavering support is a very important element of our continued success, and as always, and on behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, I humbly offer our deepest thanks for your passionate support and engagement.
With warmest regards and appreciation,
Michael Kim
Dean, Don Wright Faculty of Music
