Nick DiBerardino Appointed Dean of Curtis

Curtis is pleased to announce that Nick DiBerardino (Composition ’18) has been appointed to the position of Dean beginning with the 2023–24 academic year. Mr. DiBerardino will continue in his roles as chair of composition studies and director of Ensemble 20/21. As dean, he will also oversee academic operations and student services, working closely with Ed Gazouleas, Gie and Lisa Liem Artistic Director and Provost.

Mr. DiBerardino’s tremendous experience as a remarkable musician, teacher, and administrator, in addition to being an alumnus of the school, combine to give him a heightened understanding of Curtis students, their needs, and career goals.

Mr. DiBerardino first joined the Curtis faculty in 2019 in the musical studies department and in 2022, he joined the school’s composition faculty. Prior to his appointment as dean, Mr. DiBerardino also served as senior associate dean, performance studies. He holds degrees from Princeton University, University of Oxford, Yale School of Music, and Curtis—all in composition.

As a composer, he creates “richly textured, multilayered” sound worlds (Minnesota Star Tribune) that tell fantastical tales. He has written music about everything from failed flying machines and Star Trek to Walt Whitman and tall glasses of beet juice. A Rhodes Scholar, Mr. DiBerardino has received commissions from many distinguished artists and institutions, including Symphony Tacoma, the Dover Quartet, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Sandbox Percussion, the New College Choir, arx duo, Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, Music From Angel Fire, and saxophonist Matthew Levy.

Hear more from Mr. DiBerardino in this recent piece from I Care If You Listen.

Photo of Mr. DiBerardino by Gene Smirnov.