Lindauer Recruits Dean of Music for the Boston Conservatory at Berklee
May 14, 2025 – Following a national search, Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of innovative educator and accomplished musician Kevin Haden as dean of music for the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Paula Fazli led the assignment. “It is an honor to announce that Kevin Haden will be joining our Boston Conservatory community as the next dean of music starting in July,” said Michael Shinn, executive director for Boston Conservatory at Berklee. “Kevin’s experience in the performing arts is tremendous, and his care for his students and community resonates in all that he does. Kevin is a phenomenal artist, educator, and administrator, and he brings a tremendous amount of artistic versatility and dynamism to his professional work.”
With more than 25 years of experience spanning higher education and the performing arts, Mr. Haden comes to Boston Conservatory from Curtis Institute of Music, where he served as senior associate dean of strategic engagement and institutional excellence. While at Curtis, he developed strategies to advance the institute’s artistic and educational programming and led initiatives celebrating community values, access, and inclusion.
Prior to his work at Curtis, Mr. Haden was dean of the school of music and associate professor at University of the Arts (UArts) for two years, and before that, he served at New York University (NYU) for 22 years in various roles—most recently as director of academic operations for the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, one of the largest and most complex departments at the university.
A classically trained musician with degrees from NYU in composition and theory, Mr. Haden also maintains a vibrant career as a multihyphenate artist, working as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, arranger, music director, and equity actor. His discography includes numerous record label and independent releases as a solo pop/folk/soul artist and electronic dance music vocalist, and his voice and vocal arrangements can be heard on top international dance labels such as Defected, Soul Heaven, D4 D4NCE, Glitterbox, 925 Music, and Isolation Nation. Active in the theater world as well, Mr. Haden has music directed works in the New York Musicals Festival and performed in off-off-Broadway and regional musical theater productions. He has also written, arranged, and recorded music for theatrical productions at regional theaters across the country.
In his new position with the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Mr. Haden will oversee a faculty of 125 and nearly 400 undergraduate and graduate students, advancing a reimagined approach to classical music education. Responsibilities include driving innovative curriculum development, fostering inclusivity, and cultivating strategic partnerships locally and globally. The role also involves managing a significant budget and leading initiatives to prepare students for impactful careers in music.
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Established in 1867, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee is renowned for its programs in dance, music, and theatre, merging with Berklee College of Music in 2016 to form a global institution shaping the future of the performing arts.
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Lindauer Fills Senior Advancement Role for Boston University
Lindauer recently helped to recruit Michele Schiele as the senior vice president for advancement for Boston University (BU). Leading the assignment were Faith Montgomery, senior vice president, and Andrew Machado, senior consultant. “Michele is a well-respected and highly experienced leader in her field, who has demonstrated clear results for some of the top universities in the country,” said Melissa Gilliam, president of BU. “I am excited for her to begin in her work here and confident that she will play important roles in securing Boston University’s eminence for years to come.” Ms. Schiele will draw on her extensive experience building strong philanthropic programs as she engages BU’s expansive global network of more than 400,000 alumni. An accomplished leader in development and alumni relations, she brings nearly 30 years of experience in building strong philanthropic programs and engaging communities to drive institutional success.
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Ms. Fazli as senior vice president. She also serves as co-leader of the firm’s higher education practice along with Faith Montgomery. Ms. Fazli has partnered with public and private research universities, private liberal arts colleges, and arts and culture organizations to navigate periods of change. “Throughout her respected career in executive search, Paula has helped some of the most prestigious institutions in the country navigate periods of change and bring in leaders who shape future generations,” said Ms. Taft. “Her commitment to serving as a trusted client partner in every aspect of an executive search aligns strongly with Lindauer’s own philosophy.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
