Dr. Leanne Zacharias appointed Dean of Music at Brandon University

Brandon University has appointed Dr. Leanne Zacharias as Dean of the School of Music, following approval by the University’s Board of Governors. Dr. Zacharias will begin a five-year term as Dean on July 13, after serving as Acting Dean since September 2025.

A member of the Brandon University faculty since 2008, Dr. Zacharias has established herself as an accomplished educator, academic leader and internationally respected performer. Throughout her career at BU she has taught cello, directed the Brandon University Orchestra, and served in several key leadership roles, including Chair of the Applied Music Department, Chair of the Music Graduate Department, and Chair of the Music Scholarship Committee. Most recently, she has led the School through a successful period as Acting Dean.

“Dr. Zacharias has been an inspiring leader throughout her time as Acting Dean, and her appointment comes as the result of a rigorous national search that attracted an outstanding pool of candidates,” said Acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Greg Gatien, who also thanked the search committee for their work. “She is an internationally admired performer, educator and curator whose creativity, collaborative leadership and deep commitment to our students, faculty, and community make her an exceptional choice to lead the School of Music. It is wonderful to know that the School of Music will have such an inspiring and experienced colleague as its Dean in the years ahead.”

Dr. Zacharias said she is honoured to continue serving the School in its next chapter.

“I am inspired and humbled by this opportunity to bring my experience, imagination, and skill set to the role of Dean of Music at Brandon University,” she said. “The past six months in the Acting Dean role have provided me with a rich new perspective on a familiar place that I care deeply about.”

She said serving as Acting Dean has reinforced for her what the School’s unique strengths are, as well as the importance of supporting its people and partnerships.

“Championing the School of Music’s faculty and students, their achievements and initiatives, supporting cultural leaders of both today and tomorrow, providing agile and inclusive leadership, and cultivating the strong relationships between the School and its community partners have proven to be a meaningful honour.”

Dr. Zacharias also acknowledged the leadership of Acting Provost Greg Gatien, who served two terms as Dean before assuming his current role.

“I’m grateful to Acting Provost Greg Gatien, as our outgoing Dean of Music and my colleague of 18 years, for his mentorship and devotion to the School of Music during the past year of transition, and throughout his tenure as our Dean.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Zacharias said she is committed to building on the School’s tradition of excellence while continuing important work already underway.

“I look forward to working alongside my fellow music faculty colleagues to continue the decolonization work already underway within our program through performance, research and pedagogy that foregrounds equity, diversity, inclusion, and creative experimentation,” she said.

“In serving this vibrant school, I will focus on fostering the highest standards in music education, performance and research while cultivating the community engagement we’re known for and that differentiates the BU School of Music as a unique incubator — a gem in the prairies.”

An internationally recognized cellist, educator and interdisciplinary artist, Dr. Zacharias has built a distinguished career that bridges artistic excellence, innovative collaboration and community engagement. Her creative work has been presented across Canada and internationally, and she has performed with leading orchestras, festivals and contemporary music organizations while collaborating with artists across disciplines and genres.

Alongside her artistic practice, Dr. Zacharias has demonstrated an enduring commitment to academic leadership, student success and community partnerships. She has led numerous initiatives that connect Brandon University students with professional artists and organizations, helped expand experiential learning opportunities, contributed extensively to University governance, and served on provincial and national arts organizations, including the Manitoba Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Dr. Zacharias holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Manitoba.

Brandon University’s School of Music has earned an international reputation for excellence in performance, teaching and research, offering students an exceptional educational experience while enriching the cultural life of Brandon, Manitoba and beyond.

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