The PM Podcast: "How Can I Be Helpful: A Conversation with Kate Sheeran"

April 4, 2026 | Host: Jay Frost | Guest: Kate Sheeran, Dean of the Eastman School of Music

Episode Overview

This episode features a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation between host Jay Frost and Kate Sheeran, the Joan and Martin Messenger Dean of the Eastman School of Music. Kate shares her journey from a small-town musician in Vermont to leading one of the world’s foremost music conservatories, reflecting on the foundational influences, challenges, and philosophies that have shaped both her life and career. The episode delves deeply into leadership in the arts, the sustaining power of community, the evolving landscape of music education, and the vital importance of visibility, equity, and inspiration for the next generation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots in Music: Community, Family, and Serendipity

(01:39 – 07:50)

• Early Love of Music: Kate’s immersion in music started with family singalongs and the piano playing of her grandfather in Clarendon, Vermont.
  • “Music generally was always something I was drawn to as a kid… My mom would sing with us. My grandfather was always playing the piano.” (01:39)
• French Horn Origin Story: Chose the French horn after her teacher suggested it due to her good pitch; started on an instrument obtained through a trade for a jean jacket.
  • “My very first French horn was one that my brother's friend played, and they traded for a jeans jacket for a French horn.” (01:54)
• Small Town and Music Programs: Benefitted profoundly from strong music teachers and support from her family, which included driving long distances to access better opportunities.
  • “Growing up in Vermont really teaches you community. Chamber music is community… People help each other, all of that.” (05:51)

2. Value of Music Education & Community

(02:54 – 06:53)

• Importance of Music Teachers and Programs: Kate emphasizes the critical role educators and accessible music programs played in her development.
  • “My friends tended to be my music friends, even if we were a small bunch… And as few of us have gone on into professional music making. And it's so fun to run into, you know, the two or three people from your high school class…” (05:51)
• Support Networks: Community, both familial and musical, provided through lines that enabled her to pursue music professionally.

3. Embracing Challenge, Building Resilience

(06:53 – 09:31)

• French Horn as a Metaphor for Boldness:
  • “Being a French horn player is a lot like running an organization, because you have to be both bold and humble… You have to really go for it, knowing sometimes you're not going to quite make it.” (07:12)
• Music’s Life Lessons: The process of practicing, striving for excellence, and facing fears are framed as life skills gained through rigorous musical training.

4. Eastman Experience: Identity, Opportunity, and Interdisciplinary Growth

(10:13 – 15:52)

• First Encounter with Eastman:
  • “I walked into the building and I'll never forget the feeling. It's an incredible place… it's a warm place where people are friendly and there's always something happening here.” (10:33)
• Institute for Music Leadership: Influential in expanding her perspective beyond performance to leadership and music administration.
• Cultivating Student Initiatives: Participation in student collectives (e.g., OSEA and Alarm Will Sound) fostered a sense of agency and entrepreneurship.
  • “OSEA is… a student run organization that puts on concerts of new music… It started around when I was a student and I started playing in OSEA and I learned more about collaborating with composers in real time.” (15:57)

5. Expanding Musical Horizons: New Music and Audience Development

(18:42 – 26:06)

• Navigating Tradition and Innovation: Emphasizes that attracting audiences isn’t just about repertoire, but also about relationship-building, marketing, and relevance.
  • “Many of these things are marketing and psychology and business challenges almost more than they are repertoire challenges, because it's about finding people who might be interested in something new or connecting with an audience.” (20:03)
• Massive Scope of Programming: Eastman puts on over 1,000 concerts yearly, most free and open to the public, streaming globally to keep audiences connected.
• Post-Covid Audience: Kate observes changed behaviors—less predictability, digital engagement—but reaffirms the enduring human need for communal musical experience.

6. Financing the Mission: Philanthropy, Access, and Equity

(27:11 – 29:07)

• Sustainability Through Philanthropy:
  • “We do not succeed without philanthropic support… It is about passionate people supporting things they care about because they've had a transformative experience.” (27:11)
• Core Goal: Ensuring students can access Eastman regardless of financial background; scholarships are the top fundraising priority.

7. Leading as a Trailblazer: Visibility and Leadership

(29:37 – 34:12)

• Historic Appointment: Kate is the eighth dean in Eastman’s 105-year history—and the first woman in the role.
  • “I am the eighth person in our 105 year history.” (29:37)
  • “I am, yeah.” (First woman dean, 33:06)
• Paying It Forward: Acknowledges mentors and the importance of visibility for women and underrepresented groups in leadership.
  • “If you can see it, you can be it is so true… The exciting thing is the next woman who has this job… may have seen it as a possibility for her even earlier, because I was able to do it.” (34:12)
• Memorable Story:
  • “A graduate student said to me, I like that you're our dean. I can see myself. And it was like, whoa. I hope I can be a positive influence and make space for all kinds of people in every corner of the school.” (00:00 & 34:12)

8. Vision for Impact & the Future of Music

(36:47 – 39:21)

• Expanding Programs and Embracing Tech: Advocates for building new initiatives (e.g., music technology with the School of Engineering) and integrating musicians into the fold of technological innovation.
• Global Impact: Seeks to empower students to use their music to "brighten their day, or give music to someone who wouldn't otherwise have it, or educate someone who might not otherwise have it."
• Technological Advances:
  • “One of the questions I get asked the most is, what about AI? Is that going to replace musicians? … I can't imagine it goes away. Maybe it'll evolve. But I do think just like any other technological advance, we need to embrace the technology.” (36:47)

9. Preparing the Next Generation

(39:21 – 40:54)

• Reality for Students: The need to prepare multifaceted artists who can navigate both the opportunities and hardships of creative careers.
  • “Being an artist means shaping a whole career. It doesn't mean just one thing… We want to make sure that we're educating multifaceted artists who have multiple pathways to make their way.” (39:41)
• Incubator for Risk-taking: Eastman as a space to experiment and build resilience before "the rent bill is staring you in the face."

10. The Joy of Service and the Power of Community

(40:54 – 42:36)

• Greatest Reward of Leadership:
  • “The students. I mean, our students are, they're wonderful. They're like, they're interesting people. They're great musicians. You get to see them be excited about music every day.” (40:54)
• Faculty Devotion: Highlights the investment faculty make in student success and the life-affirming nature of her role.

11. Returning to Performance

(42:39 – 43:11)

• Personal Musicianship:
  • Kate no longer plays professionally but occasionally joins the student horn choir, supported warmly by students and colleagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Leadership and Representation:
  • “If you can see it, you can be it is so true.” — Kate Sheeran (34:12)
  • “A graduate student said to me, I like that you're our dean. I can see myself. And it was like, whoa.” — Kate Sheeran (00:00 & 34:12)
• On Music’s Lifelong Lessons:
  • “Being a French horn player is a lot like running an organization, because you have to be both bold and humble… You have to really go for it, knowing sometimes you're not going to quite make it.” — Kate Sheeran (07:12)
• On the Power of Community in Music:
  • “Chamber music is community. You know, living in a small town is community. People help each other, all of that.” — Kate Sheeran (05:51)
• On Artistic Mission:
  • “When we stop asking why are we doing this and who wants to listen and who should be hearing this, then we're not doing our job, even if every seat is full.” — Kate Sheeran (22:16)
• On Audience Enthusiasm:
  • “The students still show up for each other and scream like it's their pep rally at the end of a concert… That's how I remember it as a student as well.” — Kate Sheeran (24:36)

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] Opening: The power of representation and influence in leadership
• [01:39] Kate’s early musical influences and start with the French horn
• [05:51] Growing up in Vermont, community and music
• [07:12] French horn as both challenge and life metaphor
• [10:33] First impressions of Eastman and its community
• [15:57] Student-driven new music initiatives and OSEA
• [20:03] The challenge of connecting with audiences
• [23:55] Audience behaviors post-Covid and communal music experiences
• [27:11] The essential role of philanthropy and financial accessibility
• [29:37] Becoming the eighth (and first woman) dean at Eastman
• [34:12] The importance of representation for students and future leaders
• [36:47] Vision for Eastman: technology, impact, and global reach
• [39:41] Preparing students for multifaceted artistic careers
• [40:54] The joy of working with students and faculty
• [42:39] Personal performing with the horn choir

Tone and Style

Kate Sheeran’s voice is thoughtful, reflective, and open, combining warmth and vulnerability with strategic insight. The conversation is collegial and genuine, full of tangible anecdotes and candid assessments but always forward-looking—a true reflection of a leader invested in both people and purpose.

Conclusion

This episode provides inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone interested in leadership, community-building, and the future of music education. Kate Sheeran’s journey highlights how personal experiences of mentorship, resilience, and service can have ripple effects far beyond the concert hall, and how the legacy of music—and leadership—depends on making space for all.