New Leadership in Artistic Realm: Jeffrey de Caen Takes the Helm
The Prior Performing Arts Center at Holy Cross recently hosted a captivating Fall Concert, where the College Choir and Chamber Singers filled the Luth Concert Hall's auditorium with melodious harmonies. The event, which took place this past week, marked a significant milestone in the center's ongoing journey of fostering creative expression.
In a recent announcement, the Provost and Dean of the College, Elliott Visonsi, revealed a change at the center. Jeffrey de Caen, an accomplished figure in the arts, will assume the role of the Nancy Savage Skinner '79 Director of the Prior Performing Arts Center starting June 1, 2025.
De Caen, currently serving as the Associate Dean for operations at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Known for his contributions to sacred music and popular choral works, he has worked alongside renowned organizations such as the LA Opera, LA Philharmonic, and the GRAMMY Foundation. His expertise in music composition and direction within religious and artistic communities is expected to further enhance the center's offerings.
Meanwhile, Kyle Frisina, who has been serving as the Interim Director of the center since the Fall of 2022, has made significant strides in increasing creative accessibility and visibility. Frisina, who developed the center into a bridge between college and city, shared her favourite showcases at the center, including the 2023 Spring BSU Annual Fashion Show, History Professor Ke Ren's 2024 presentation of the Smithsonian Folkways artist No-No Boy, and the violin performance by John Gandelsman in the fall of 2024.
In another exciting development, Holy Cross students from the "Global" Montserrat Cluster collaborated with Rice Square Elementary School sixth-graders to create art reflecting Worcester's culturally rich identity. This collaboration is a testament to the center's commitment to promoting inclusive learning and research, as it recently opened its doors this semester with this mission in mind.
The Prior Performing Arts Center continues to be a vibrant hub of creative activity on the Holy Cross campus. With Jeffrey de Caen set to take over in 2025, the center looks forward to a future filled with even more opportunities for students, faculty, and families to engage in the arts.
References: 1. ccwatershed.org archive
- The Prior Performing Arts Center at Holy Cross is a prominent center for fostering creative expression, as evident from the captivating Fall Concert hosted recently.
- The College's faculty members, including Elliott Visonsi, lead in shaping the direction of various organizations and events on campus.
- Jeffrey de Caen, an accomplished figure in the arts, will join the university faculty as the Nancy Savage Skinner '79 Director of the Prior Performing Arts Center in 2025.
- The center's ongoing education-and-self-development initiatives extend beyond the arts, with students engaging in research and collaborative projects for inclusive learning.
- Students and faculty at Holy Cross, along with members of the local community, continue to benefit from the array of arts-related events organized by the center.
- As the Prior Performing Arts Center embarks on a new chapter with De Caen at the helm, the promise of more events, collaborations, and opportunities for all remains steadfast.
