CUA appoints new dean of music, drama, and art

Washington D.C., May 30, 2018 / 11:40 am

The Catholic University of America announced Tuesday that Jacqueline Leary-Warsaw has been appointed dean of the university's school of music.

"I am pleased to appoint Jacqueline Leary-Warsaw as the new dean," said John Garvey, president of Catholic University, May 29. "She is a noted educator who has the leadership and experience to guide the school at a significant time in the history of the University."

A proposal to create the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art, by joining the drama and arts departments to the music school, is pending, and is expected to take effect in the upcoming fall semester. The new school is intended "to bring together all on-campus arts faculty to foster cross-disciplinary efforts and anchor the University's commitment to the arts," the university said in a statement.

As dean of the school, Leary-Warsaw will be in charge of its promotion and growth, offering academic and administrative leadership, while representing the school to the university and the arts world, according to a university statement. Her appointment takes effect June 18.

"I am very honored and humbled to join The Catholic University of America community and to be a part of this very historic time as we prepare to launch the new School of Music, Drama, and Art," said Leary-Warsaw. "I am eager to work with the University's world-class performing and fine arts faculty at this time of progress through new artistic pursuits and a renewed commitment to the future of the arts at Catholic University."

Leary-Warsaw succeeds Grayson Wagstaff, who has been dean of the music school since 2010.

Garvey thanked Wagstaff for "his many contributions to the school during his tenure as dean."

Leary-Warsaw has served as chair of the department of music at Birmingham-Southern College, as well as an associate professor of music, and artistic director of the Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts.

She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Louisville, a Master of Music from CUA, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University. She is also known for her work in research.

Leary-Warsaw is a classical soprano, and has performed in opera, oratorio, solo, and chamber recitals throughout the United States, Europe, and South America.

Some of her favorite roles performed include Sophie (Werther), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Isabelle/Madeline (The Face on the Barroom Floor), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Baby Doe (Baby Doe), Lucy (The Telephone), Kathryn (The Reformed Peasant), Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Nora (Riders to the Sea), Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium), and Judith in the world premiere of Erni's Still Life, according to her bio.

Leary-Warsaw has been host, producer, and writer of the EWTN Global Catholic Television Network's In Concert television series for 25 years.

She is a founding member of CUA's Catholic Arts Council, and has worked for years with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to produce the Annual Christmas Concert for Charity.

Leary-Warsaw is the wife of Michael Warsaw, who is chairman and CEO of the EWTN Global Catholic Network, of which CNA is a part.