Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music appoints CEO

Florence Lockheart
Friday, February 17, 2023

Alexander Brose will take up the role in summer 2024, succeeding Dr Peter Simon

'I could not be more excited to partner with The Royal Conservatory community.' Brose (right) will begin working with Dr Simon (left) in September, initiating a year-long transition period.
'I could not be more excited to partner with The Royal Conservatory community.' Brose (right) will begin working with Dr Simon (left) in September, initiating a year-long transition period.

Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music has announced the appointment of Alexander Brose to the role of CEO. Brose will take up the role in September 2024, succeeding Dr Peter Simon who has been president of the conservatory since 1991.

The transition will begin in September this year when Brose will move with his family to Toronto to assume the role of President Designate. Brose will work closely with Dr Simon as he continues to serve as president and CEO until his retirement in August 2024.

Dr Simon said: ‘In Alexander Brose we have found a person who is uniquely qualified to build on the exceptional foundation that has been established, and to lead The Royal Conservatory into the next stage of its evolution as a global leader in music education and performance. He understands the essential role that music plays in the development of young people and in fostering the human connections that are the basis of a cohesive society.’

Founded in 1886 in Toronto, Canada, the Royal Conservatory is one of the largest music education institutions in the world, with over 500,000 students studying its RCM Certificate Program through a network of 30,000 music teachers. Alumni include pianists Glenn Gould, Jan Lisiecki and Angela Hewitt, conductor Sir Roger Norrington and country music star Shania Twain.

Brose’s previous experience includes over five years as executive director of the Juilliard School’s branch campus in China. Taking up the role at the launch of Tianjin Juilliard School, Brose worked to establish the school in China, overseeing the construction of the school’s campus, hiring a new faculty and staff and implementing outreach programmes alongside the school’s everyday activities.

Brose said: ‘The Royal Conservatory‘s remarkable evolution during its long and prestigious history, but particularly over the last 33 years under Dr. Simon’s guidance, has found its offerings firmly positioned among the great classical music education and arts programs worldwide. I could not be more excited to partner with The Royal Conservatory community to help write the next chapter of this extraordinary institution.’