New Conservatory dean has big plans for future

Robert Dodson replaces former dean Karen Woldd who resigned in January

In addition to those behind instruments and contorted in song, one of the excited new faces in the Conservatory will be in the dean's office.

After a months-long search, Robert K. Dodson, who previously was dean at the Lawrence University Conservatory in Appleton, Wisconsin, was named as the new dean of the Conservatory. He replaces professor of organ and harpsichord David Boe, who had temporarily filled the position since January while a specially formed committee searched nationwide for someone to replace Karen Wolff. Wolff had been dean since 1991 before abruptly resigning from the position in June.

Dodson has three decades of experience in music performance, teaching, and administrative leadership. A cellist with bachelor and master of music degrees from Indiana University, he also attended Columbia University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has worked the previous ten years at Lawrence University and prior to that he spent 21 years in Canada, including time at the Royal Conservatory of music at the University of Toronto, where he served as principal from 1981-88 and where he also worked as acting and vice-principal.

The open and cheerful Dodson enthusiastically discussed his excitement for working at Oberlin.

Gelling with the faculty is a vital priority to Dodson for a successful year. Stressing the importance of getting to know the faculty and other members of the Conservatory community, he said, "I feel it is important to get to know the faculty and understand them and their needs so we can work together to develop some sort of clear articulation of where we want to go so we can work together to secure the future."

Although Dodson was teaching and performing in France during the month of August due to a prior commitment and still feels he needs to get acquainted with the campus, many members of the Oberlin community are warmly welcoming the new dean into the Conservatory and are optimistic about him. College President Nancy Dye said, "He's doing a great job. I don't think I've seen anyone learn what he's learned in a month. He will be an excellent dean for the Conservatory."

"This is such a wonderful opportunity," Dodson said. It is a challenge for him to single out a specific aspect of working at Oberlin that he is looking forward to because he says there are myriad possibilities which excite him.

His features lit up at the chance to answer a question regarding the opportunity to work with the college, "I come from a similar, although smaller, school than Oberlin," He explained, "There are all sorts of possibilities. I have developed a clear sense that the greatest aspect of the Conservatory is its association with the college. The intellectual matrix which exists here is very rich, and there are many opportunities for students, as well as the faculty, for an exchange of ideas." He praised the five-year double-degree program as "a wonderful example" of the interaction between the college and the Conservatory and hopes that the interaction goes both ways, with college students feeling welcome at the Conservatory.

One example discussed was the upcoming visit of the New York Baroque Dance Company. "It will be a wonderful experience for all of Oberlin," he explained. According to Dodson and Conservatory Spokesperson Linda Shockley, the company will provide opportunities for all students to learn the history behind its performances.

Dodson does not believe he faces any insurmountable obstacle. He said, "There are many challenges," the biggest of which is becoming acquainted with everything. "You are constantly learning everything," he explained, "And I feel I need to get to know the faculty and students so I can know how to remove any obstacles which might occur."