Interview with Dean Queen

By Dr. Greg Jones

How did you get started down a career path in music, and what was your path to FSU?

I grew up in rural Ohio, where I learned to play piano and saxophone and sang in school and at church. My school had the traditional choir and band classes, and that was really the extent of my musical training. I did not have the opportunity, or even then wherewithal, to attend a live symphony concert or opera during my youth. My only exposure to opera was watching the movie Amadeus, where I heard the Queen of the Night aria for the first time and I thought, “Can a human voice really do that?” I went to BYU when as was 17 as a first generation college student. I was a double Music Education major in saxophone and voice, but I didn’t really know what that meant, or what I was going to do. I was probably more talented on saxophone, as I auditioned and was accepted into private lessons on saxophone, but I was not good enough to qualify for private voice lessons, so I was put into group voice class. (Which ended up being the best experience for me.) The opera in the fall at BYU was Carmen, and I decided to attend – my first live opera. I didn’t know the storyline, and I had no idea what to expect. I was blown away. I went home that night and told my roommates that I was going to be an opera singer. They laughed and told me I was crazy...well, who’s crazy now? After BYU, I attended Eastman School of Music for my graduate work. I found Eastman to be exhilarating and challenging, and it is there that I started to lay the groundwork for who I would become as a professor and administrator, though I didn’t know it at the time. After Eastman, my first job was at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. It was the typical “do everything job” – I taught 20 students, directed a choir, taught diction, vocal literature, vocal pedagogy, and directed a few opera scenes.

After two years, a position opened at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. We really loved the mountains, and so we decided to apply. They named me Director of Opera in my first year, and I had never directed an opera before, nor did they really have an opera program to speak of! But we got to work and over a few years started to develop a pretty good program. I also was named Artistic Director of Opera Fort Collins, and between the university program and the regional company, we were producing six operas a year in little Fort Collins, CO! I gained quite a bit of administrative and fundraising experience throughout that process, and in 2009 I became Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at CSU. I really enjoyed the administrative responsibilities, and I saw it as a natural extension of directing an opera. In 2014 I was nominated for the position of Dean for the College of Music & Dramatic Arts at LSU. My wife was originally from Louisiana, so we felt like it would be a good match. I really loved my time at LSU, and I loved being Dean. It is a great job, and I think it fits my skill set the best. We did a lot of good work at LSU, particularly with regard to fundraising and curricular development. And we got to celebrate a National Championship in football, which was quite a wonderful experience!

What attracted you to the position of Dean at the FSU College of Music?

As with LSU, I was nominated for the position here at FSU. Of course, I was well aware of the strong reputation of the college through our national associations (NASM and NAMESU). As I looked more closely at the College of Music, it had all of the components that I believe are needed for a modern, 21st century music program: worldclass training in performance, highly regarding academic programs in Music Theory and Musicology, and, in my estimation, the best Music Education program in the nation. In addition to those areas, FSU also offers Music Therapy, Arts Administration, Music Theatre, Jazz and Commercial Music, and Piano Technology. These areas, particularly Commercial Music, are areas that need to be part of a well-rounded music education in the 21st century. I feel like having these programs already in place gives FSU to opportunity to continue to be a national leader in the arts.

How has it been in the first year at FSU? How is leading this 120-yearold program resonating with you?

I have had a terrific first year. My family and I have been so warmly welcomed by the faculty, staff, students, and community members. It is clear that the college has a special spirit about it – it is a special community – and I am proud to be part of that community.

You have lived and worked in Ohio, Colorado, New York, and Louisiana. What do you think of Tallahassee and Florida now that you are settled here?

My family and I were drawn to Tallahassee because of all of the parks, nature trails, and bike trails that the city has to offer. We were also drawn to the strong church community here in Tallahassee.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I’m not sure I have a particular style. I have fundamental values that I believe in, and I try to emulate those every day: honesty, integrity, empathy, passion. Listen louder than you speak. I am drawn to Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and I try to model those ideals. I certainly see myself as a servant leader, and I do my best to try to bring people together to achieve a collective vision for the college.

You often mention preparing “21st Century Musicians.” What are your major plans and hopes for the College of Music related to this goal?

The College is going through a “Strategic Thinking” exercise now, so I’ll be able to answer more specifically at the end of the Spring semester. In general, though, it is clear to me that FSU sees itself as a national leader in the field of music. As we take on and accept that responsibility, it is crucial that we are deeply connected to the world around us and that we adapt to the shifting landscape. Flexibility and adaptability have become not just buzzwords anymore, but crucial components of everyday life. Our students should reflect those characteristics, and when they graduate, we want them to have multiple skill sets so they can adapt and thrive, no matter the circumstances. For that to manifest, our curriculum must evolve and show that same flexibility and adaptability.

What is the importance of music and music schools during this unusual time of COVID-19 and the deep divisions among Americans?

Music can be such a powerful source of healing and can bring people together, regardless of ideologies or backgrounds. We want to continue to serve that important role in the community. In October 2021, we were able to experience Ressurection Symphony in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. It was such an amazing musical experience, and a celebration of being together again in the concert hall. While we still have to navigate the pandemic and do all we can to mitigate risk, we also saw that live music is an indispensable part of the human experience and we long for its return in our communities.

With the arrival of FSU President Richard McCullough comes a focus on research, interdisciplinarity and internationalization as important initiatives moving forward. What role can the College of Music play in support of these plans?

We will have a strong voice in how we move forward as a university with interdisciplinary work at the College. We are currently working with the College of Entrepreneurship on a joint graduate program and we will continue to be strong partners with the health field as we expand our resources in that area, particularly in Music Therapy.

As a trained operatic singer director and teacher, do you still perform and teach in your role as Dean?

I don’t do a lot of performing these days, expect at church. I am still connected with Operafestival di Roma, a summer program in Italy, and that helps to recharge my artistic batteries. While Dean at LSU, I taught an undergraduate course entitled “Defining the Artist” as part of the new curriculum. Depending on where we head with the curriculum at FSU, there may be some opportunities there in the future. One of the aspects that I miss most as Dean is working directly with our students.

Where do you find inspiration as you lead a national leading college in preparing the next generation of musicians?

That is easy, in the music! At the end of a long, hard day, the opportunity to go into the performance halls, and hear our fabulous students and faculty help me to remember why we do what we do on a daily basis. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to hear and see our work in action – it is quite rewarding!

What do you like to do when you want to relax and recharge… when time permits?

I like to golf, and I like to go road biking. In theory, I can do both in Tallahassee. That has not yet happened with the frequency that I had hoped, but hope springs eternal! n