The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Appoints a New Principal

The Board of Governors of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has appointed Jeffrey Sharkey as the Royal Conservatoire’s Principal to succeed John Wallace, who will retire in September 2014.

Jeffrey Sharkey is currently the Director of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. As well as being one of America’s foremost conservatoires of music, Peabody also incorporates a distinguished preparatory division which offers the oldest pre-college dance programme in the United States.

On announcing Jeffrey Sharkey’s appointment, Lord Vallance of Tummel, Chairman of the Royal Conservatoire’s Board of Governors said:

“The Board of Governors is delighted at Jeffrey Sharkey’s appointment. We are confident that he is the right person to take the Royal Conservatoire forward. He will bring to the task exceptional leadership qualities combined with a deep knowledge and understanding of the strategic issues facing the conservatoire sector, both nationally and internationally. ”

Jeffrey Sharkey said:

“I am deeply honoured to be offered the opportunity to lead the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – Scotland’s national conservatoire. I have long admired the work and achievements of the Royal Conservatoire under the outstanding and creative leadership of John Wallace. I am excited to take forward the Royal Conservatoire’s innovative curriculum that prepares students across all disciplines for the rapidly changing arts world. I look forward to building on John’s exceptional work, for the benefit of our students, present and future, and for the benefit of the whole of Scotland. The Royal Conservatoire has much to offer the country and the wider world, and I am delighted to be part of its exciting future.”

John Wallace said:

“Jeffrey Sharkey is an outstanding artistic and academic leader. I am certain that he has all of the qualities required to be an outstanding Principal of our extraordinary Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and I wish him all the very best for when he takes up post in September 2014 and beyond.”

Jeffrey Sharkey is married to the distinguished cellist, Alison Wells, who will be another welcome addition to the Scottish cultural scene.