Berklee College of Music has named J. Curtis Warner Jr. to lead its new Office of Community and Governmental Affairs as associate vice president. While Warner is moving from his role in education outreach as executive director of Berklee City Music, he will continue to serve on the organization’s advisory group.
Warner joined Berklee in 1993 and was appointed director of Berklee City Music in 1994, building the program that enables youth from underserved communities to develop musically, academically, socially, and emotionally, primarily through the study of contemporary music. At City Music, he established strong community, city, state, and foundational support around the program, and, under his leadership, it grew from serving Boston and the surrounding communities, to a nationwide network that includes 47 partner sites.
“Curtis has made remarkable contributions to our college and community,” said Berklee president Roger Brown. “As Berklee continues to become more actively engaged in the community, exploring a merger with the Boston Conservatory, and seeking support for college programs, there is an increased need for strong relations with our community, city, and state. Curtis is ideally suited to this role.”
After graduating from Berklee, Philadelphia native Warner taught and was an administrator in the Boston public school system in the 1970s and ‘80s – work for which former Boston Mayor Tom Menino presented him with a commendation. In 2008, he accepted the prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for Berklee City Music from Barbara Bush at a White House ceremony. Warner, a Boston resident, earned his master’s degree at Cambridge College.
“What excites me about this opportunity is that it allows me to advance the college through the creation of valuable interchanges using all three of my lenses: longtime Boston resident, Boston public school educator and administrator, and alumnus and member of the Berklee community,” said Warner.
