FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music has named Brenda Brenner, associate professor of music in music education, as interim Eugene O’Brien Bicentennial Executive Associate Dean, effective July 1.

The Jacobs School previously announced that Gwyn Richards, the David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean, will step down June 30 to return to the choral conducting faculty.

Jeremy Allen, the current Eugene O’Brien Bicentennial Executive Associate Dean, and associate professor of music in jazz studies, will become interim dean of the Jacobs School of Music on July 1.

“It is a pleasure to announce this appointment of Brenda Brenner,” said Allen. “We are very grateful to Brenda for her willingness to take on this responsibility, especially during this time of such unique challenges. Her presence in the Office of the Deans will be of great benefit to the school in the year ahead.”

Brenner, who recently received the 2020 Mary Burgan Distinguished Service Award for Indiana University Bloomington, joined the Jacobs School faculty in 1993.

Brenner has served as chair of the Jacobs Music Education Department since 2017 and as co-director of the IU String Academy since 1993. She also serves as assistant director of the IU Retreat for Professional Violinists and Violists.

Specializing in string music education, teaching applied violin and courses in violin and string pedagogy, Brenner founded the IU student chapter of the American String Teachers Association in 2006. She serves as the chapter's faculty advisor and was previously president of the association.  

Brenner is also director of the Fairview Violin Project, which she began in 2008 to provide violin instruction to underserved elementary school students. She trains and supervises all program instructors in the curriculum she developed.

Partnering with pianist Kenneth Huber and her husband, Christopher Young, Jacobs organ professor, Brenner performs chamber music throughout the United States.