Katherine Bergeron

Katherine Bergeron is an American musicologist and academic administrator known for her leadership as president of Connecticut College and her scholarly work on French music and voice. Her research focuses on the intersections of music, poetry, and performance in late-19th and early-20th century France, particularly within the tradition of mélodie. Bergeron's academic career included significant tenures at the University of California, Berkeley and Brown University before her presidency.

Early life and education

Bergeron completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then pursued graduate work in musicology at the University of California, Berkeley, receiving both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy. Her doctoral dissertation, which explored the relationship between music and poetry in French Symbolism, laid the foundation for her future scholarly publications. This period of study immersed her in the cultural history of fin de siècle Paris and the works of composers like Claude Debussy.

Academic career

Following her doctorate, Bergeron began her teaching career in the Department of Music at the University of California, Berkeley. She later joined the faculty at Brown University, where she held a professorship in music and served in several administrative roles, including dean of the college. At Brown, she was instrumental in initiatives related to the Cogut Institute for the Humanities and curricular development. Her administrative work at this Ivy League institution prepared her for future leadership positions in higher education, demonstrating a commitment to interdisciplinary liberal arts education.

Presidency of Connecticut College

Bergeron was appointed the 11th president of Connecticut College in 2014, succeeding Leo I. Higdon Jr.. Her tenure was marked by the launch of the "Connecticut College for All" strategic plan, which emphasized access, inclusion, and community engagement. She oversaw significant fundraising efforts for scholarships and campus facilities, and advocated for the college's historic honor code. During her presidency, the college also strengthened its ties with the local community of New London, Connecticut and navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She concluded her service in 2023 and was succeeded by interim president Les Wong.

Scholarship and publications

Bergeron's scholarship is centered on the history of vocal music and aesthetics in modern France. Her first book, Decadent Enchantments: The Revival of Gregorian Chant at Solesmes, published by the University of California Press, examines the 19th-century restoration of plainchant by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Solesmes. A later work, Voice Lessons: French Mélodie in the Belle Epoque, explores the cultural practice of art song during the Belle Époque, analyzing performances by singers like Claire Croiza and the poetry of Stéphane Mallarmé. She has also contributed chapters to volumes such as Disciplining Music: Musicology and Its Canons and published articles in the Journal of the American Musicological Society.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Bergeron has received numerous fellowships and awards in support of her research. These include a Mellon Fellowship in the humanities, a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her book Decadent Enchantments was awarded the Otto Kinkeldey Award from the American Musicological Society, recognizing it as the most distinguished scholarly work in musicology published that year. She has also been recognized for her leadership in education, receiving honors from organizations within the state of Connecticut.

Category:American musicologists Category:American university and college presidents Category:Connecticut College Category:Brown University faculty Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni