The Boston Conservatory Names Abra Bush, D.M.A., Director of the School's Music Division

BOSTON, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Conservatory, the nation's oldest performing arts college, has named Abra Bush, D.M.A., as Director of the Music Division. Bush joins the Conservatory from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where she served as Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Assessment. 

As Director of the Music Division, Bush will lead a faculty composed of accomplished professionals, augmented by nationally known guest artists. Bush also brings a passion for music education, helping shape current and future trends.

"We believe that Dr. Bush's experience as both an academic and an artistic leader will help us treasure and preserve what is unique about our Music Division," says Dr. Patricia Hoy, Vice President for Academic Affairs.  "She will help us continue to shape an education that fully equips our students for the demands of a new century."

The first vocalist to lead the music division, Bush earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Master of Music in Opera Theater from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. She completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Voice from The Ohio State University School of Music while studying with J. Robin Rice.

"The world of performing arts continues to change, bringing creative and new disciplines to the forefront," says Bush. "The Boston Conservatory is uniquely positioned to provide music students with a solid foundation both in music making – and collaboration practices that will ensure their success."

At Eastman, Bush managed all aspects of student advising, change of status, satisfactory academic progress, and a dual degree program. She also developed a program to support at-risk students resulting in higher retention rates and the six-year graduation rate increasing by 14%.

"As the Conservatory looks to its 150^th anniversary, and as career paths and the arts themselves continue to evolve; we need to ensure that our students have the training, education and experiences which allow them to confidently pursue those new pathways," says Conservatory President Richard Ortner. "Dr. Bush brings new ideas and fresh perspective to the work, and we are thrilled to have her join the Conservatory community."  

About The Boston Conservatory
Founded in 1867, The Boston Conservatory is an independent private college with fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in music, dance and theater, training exceptional young performing artists for careers that enrich and transform the human experience. Known for its multi-disciplinary environment, The Boston Conservatory is internationally recognized as an innovative leader among conservatory programs, focused on elevating and celebrating every aspect of the performing arts. The institution has established itself as an important voice in the movement to make all forms of performing arts a more visible and valued dimension of communities here and abroad and presents more than 200 performances each year.  For more information, visit www.BostonConservatory.edu

SOURCE The Boston Conservatory