(Credit: Courtesy of Oberlin College)

William Quillen has been appointed dean of the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College.

Quillen has served as acting dean of the renowned institution since the fall of 2018 and has been instrumental in shaping its vision for 21st-century musical education. He will begin his new role on Jan. 1, 2020, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

“I am excited that Bill will continue to provide thoughtful guidance and leadership as dean of the conservatory. He has demonstrated a vision for excellence and creativity that will allow Oberlin College and Conservatory to maintain its position as a leader in higher education for decades to come,” Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar said.

Quillen is a musicologist and former tubist who joined the conservatory in August 2017 as associate dean for academic affairs and oversaw the conservatory’s academic programs, including curricular development and academic policy, and played a key role in guiding Oberlin’s reaccreditation process by the Higher Learning Commission. He was named acting dean in Nov. 2018, following the departure of Andrea Kalyn.

The incoming dean previously served as legacy and major gifts officer at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He also has served in the administrations of Berkeley Symphony, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, and the San Francisco Symphony.