William Gustafson Appointed Assistant Dean of the School of Visual
and Performing Arts at C.W. Post

Dr. William Gustafson, an administrator, professor of music and stage director, has been appointed assistant dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Gustafson served on the music faculties of both the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and the University of Colorado at Boulder. As the administrator and stage director for these opera programs, Dr. Gustafson oversaw curriculum development, the scheduling of performances and outreach presentations and the management of production contracts and budgets. In addition to his administrative duties, he taught both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in movement and acting for the operatic stage.

"Dr. Gustafson has earned a reputation as an educator who is deeply committed to his students and their development," said Rhoda Grauer, dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. "His extensive background and experience in the arts makes him uniquely qualified for this position. He brings a spirit of creativity and optimism to this position at a time of artistic expansion and possibility for the School of Visual and Performing Arts."

Dr. Gustafson began his professional career as an operatic stage director in 1999, directing a critically acclaimed production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia for the Sarasota Opera House Association. Since then, Dr. Gustafson has directed operatic productions for numerous companies and artist training programs across the United States. Dr. Gustafson served on the faculty for La Musica Lirica Music Festival in Urbania, Italy from 2004-2006 directing scenes programs and a fully staged performance of L'Incoronazione di Poppea.

During his tenure at the University of Colorado, Dr. Gustafson produced and directed the Academic and Rocky Mountain premier of Dead Man Walking with music by Jake Heggie and libretto by Terrance McNally (based on the prize-winning book by Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ). Of this production Kyle MacMillan wrote in The Denver Post, "Much of the credit for the production's success belongs to director William Gustafson, who also serves as CU's director of opera studies. He has crafted a gripping, nuanced staging worthy of this opera."

Dr. Gustafson earned his B.M. in music from the University of Connecticut, and both his master's and doctor of musical arts degrees from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

The School of Visual and Performing Arts at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is one of region's most prominent schools of the arts. The School offers bachelor's degree programs in art, art therapy, arts management, dance, electronic media (broadcasting), film, journalism, photography, public relations, music and theater. Master's degrees are available in art, clinical art therapy, interactive multimedia arts, fine arts and design, theater and music. The School is home to the award-winning Post Theatre Company, the Post Concert Dance Company, 17 music groups, the Pioneer student newspaper, the Music Technology Laboratory, Hillwood Art Museum, and many other outstanding organizations and facilities.

Posted: August 19, 2008