A portrait of CCM Dean Pete Jutras in the CCM Atrium.

Dean Jutras marks a first year of listening and planning for the future

CCM’s dean shares a message as he enters his second year

5 minute read August 1, 2025

Dear CCM community,

When I stepped into my role as dean of UC's College-Conservatory of Music last August, I knew I was joining a special community. What I did not yet realize was just how deeply CCM’s people, traditions and aspirations would inspire me every single day. One year in, I’m filled with gratitude for the artists, educators, students, alumni and supporters who make this college such an extraordinary place to lead and to learn.

From the start, I made it a priority to listen and connect. Over the past year, I’ve met with the artistic and administrative leadership of every major performing arts organization in Cincinnati. I have also had the pleasure of sitting down with more than 75 donors, alumni and community partners to learn what CCM means to them and where they hope this storied institution is headed next. Internally, I had individual meetings with more than 100 full-time faculty and staff, helping me understand their dreams and aspirations. These conversations have been essential in helping me understand the rich legacy of this college and its powerful role within our city’s vibrant arts ecosystem.

One year in, I’m filled with gratitude for the artists, educators, students, alumni and supporters who make this college such an extraordinary place to lead and to learn.

CCM Dean Pete Jutras

I’ve also spent as much time as possible inside the college, attending performances, visiting rehearsals and delivering curtain speeches at CCM shows. Being on the ground, cheering on our students and watching their hard work come to life has been one of the greatest joys of this first year. Their talent, courage and creativity remind me daily of why this work matters.

This has also been a year of exciting growth. I had the chance to meet with finalists for 16 new faculty and staff positions, and I’m thrilled to welcome so many remarkable colleagues to the CCM family. Their expertise and energy will strengthen our programs and expand what’s next for our students in the years to come.

Learn more about CCM's new faculty and staff members

While this has been a year of discovery for me, we’ve also been hard at work setting the stage for CCM’s future. Over the past several months, my leadership team has begun the collaborative process of developing a new strategic plan for CCM. This effort has included input from across our community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, industry leaders, donors and university partners. I’m so encouraged by the ideas and passion emerging from those conversations. This plan will serve as a guiding framework for how we continue to grow, evolve and lead in the years ahead, and I look forward to sharing it with you in the coming months.

As I look ahead to year two, I feel incredibly optimistic. We have big ideas on the horizon, including the rollout of our strategic plan and the continued development of new programs and partnerships.

CCM Dean Pete Jutras

CCM Dean Pete Jutras addresses the audience during the 2025 installment of CCM's Moveable Feast Gala Fundraiser. Photo/provided.

Outside of CCM, I’ve been getting to know Cincinnati and settling in with my wife and our two dogs. We’ve enjoyed exploring the city’s incredible arts offerings, from performances at the Symphony, Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Playhouse in the Park and Summermusik to a very memorable night at the Zoo’s Festival of Lights. I’ve now had my first taste of Skyline Chili and picked my favorite Graeter’s flavor – Black Raspberry Chip. We’ve enjoyed museums, great restaurants, Reds games and beautiful walks along and across the Ohio River. Through all of this, I’ve been consistently moved by how welcoming this city is and how deeply it values the arts.

As I look ahead to year two, I feel incredibly optimistic. We have big ideas on the horizon, including the rollout of our strategic plan and the continued development of new programs and partnerships. Most of all, I’m excited to continue building on what makes CCM so unique: the students and faculty who make artistic magic every single day.

If we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, I hope to see you at a performance sometime soon, or at Moveable Feast on Jan. 23, 2026.

I’m honored to be on this journey with you, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

All best,

Peter J. Jutras, PhD
Dean and Thomas James Kelly Professor of Music at CCM

A "save the date" graphic for CCM's Moveable Feast Gala Fundraiser on Jan. 23, 2026. The theme of this year's event is "ILLUMINATE," and the decorative graphic features photos of various performances from last year's event.

Learn more about Moveable Feast by clicking the above graphic or visiting foundation.uc.edu/MoveableFeast

Next Lives Here

At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don’t wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what’s Next. To us, today’s possibilities spark tomorrow’s reality. That’s why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.

We're about engaging people and ideas - and transforming the world.

We are UC. Welcome to what's Next.

Featured image at top: CCM Dean Pete Jutras in the CCM Atrium. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand.

Dean Jutras marks a first year of listening and planning for the future

CCM’s dean shares a message as he enters his second year

Next Lives Here

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