SUNY Potsdam Names Andrew Mast as New Dean of Crane School of Music

When the venerable halls of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music rang with applause on July 29 2026, the announcement that Andrew Mast would take the helm was the headline of the day. The new dean will begin his tenure on July 6, stepping into a role that has seen only a handful of occupants since the school’s founding in 1886.

Mast arrives from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he served as associate dean of the Conservatory of Music for 22 years. A faculty member since 2004, he has overseen the conservatory’s dual‑degree program and its annual recital series, cultivating a reputation for rigorous performance training and innovative program development.

The Crane School, one of three colleges that make up the State University of New York at Potsdam, is nationally recognized for its classical and opera programs. Alumni such as soprano Renee Fleming, mezzo‑soprano Stephanie Blythe, and cellist Lisa Vroman attest to the school’s legacy of nurturing world‑class talent. Today the school enrolls roughly 630 undergraduates and 30 graduates, supported by 70 faculty and staff.

Its campus boasts a trio of performance venues: the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall, the Sara M. Snell Music Theater, and the Ralph Wakefield Lecture and Recital Hall, all housed within the Julia E. Crane Music Center. In 2007 the school made history by becoming an All‑Steinway School, purchasing 141 Steinway pianos in a single transaction that remains the company’s largest single purchase.

Mast’s appointment follows a period of transition. After long‑time dean Michael Siton retired in 2020, interim dean David Heuser stepped in, a role that had previously been filled by a dean who served only two years. The new dean will carry forward the school’s tradition of excellence while steering its academic and artistic programs toward new horizons.

According to the university’s announcement, Mast’s experience in program development and student engagement at Lawrence will be invaluable as Crane seeks to broaden its curriculum and deepen ties with regional and national performing‑arts organizations. His background in performance and education is evident: at Lawrence he organized the January recital that helped launch the conservatory’s 175th‑anniversary celebrations, demonstrating his capacity to coordinate large‑scale events.

The school’s board of trustees highlighted that Mast’s blend of academic administration and performance expertise aligns with Crane’s mission to prepare students for careers in music education, performance, and composition. He will also oversee ongoing efforts to increase diversity among the student body and faculty, a priority underscored in recent institutional reports.

SUNY Potsdam’s announcement came on the heels of the university’s decision to name former dean Michael Siton an honorary alumnus and dean emeritus, honoring his contributions to the school’s development.

Mast’s first public appearance as dean will take place at the faculty meeting on July 12, where he will outline his vision for the next five years. The school’s website will provide additional details on his strategic priorities.

In sum, Andrew Mast’s appointment marks the next chapter in a long line of leaders who have guided the Crane School of Music since its inception. With a proven track record in conservatory administration and a deep commitment to performance education, he is poised to sustain the school’s reputation for classical and opera excellence while pursuing new opportunities for growth. The Crane School remains a cornerstone of SUNY Potsdam’s academic portfolio, and the appointment of a new dean signals the university’s ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards in music education and performance.