New England Conservatory Names Dimitri Murrath Associate Dean
The renowned violist and alumnus returns to the Boston institution for an administrative and faculty role.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Classical
The New England Conservatory has appointed alumnus Dimitri Murrath as its associate dean of artistic administration. Murrath will also join the school as a member of the viola faculty.
Why it matters
The appointment brings a decorated performer back to the conservatory where he previously taught for nearly a decade. Murrath will balance his new administrative leadership duties with select studio teaching.
Murrath is a first-prize winner of the Primrose International Viola Competition and was awarded a 2014 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He maintains an active performance schedule as a member of the Esmé Quartet, which he joined in 2023.
The players
Dimitri Murrath
He is an accomplished violist, alumnus of the New England Conservatory, and former member of the Boston Chamber Music Society.
New England Conservatory
It is a private music conservatory located in Boston that provides training in performance, composition, and other musical disciplines.
The details
Murrath brings extensive experience to the role, having served as a member of the Boston Chamber Music Society from 2013 to 2023. He previously taught at the New England Conservatory for nearly ten years prior to his new appointment.
Timeline
Murrath was a member of the Boston Chamber Music Society from 2013 to 2023.
Murrath received his Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2014.
Murrath released his debut solo album in 2017.
Murrath became a member of the Esmé Quartet in 2023.
The New England Conservatory announced the appointment on October 29, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The appointment of Dimitri Murrath to the New England Conservatory marks a strategic homecoming for an alumnus previously associated with the school. This move reflects a broader trend among prestigious music institutions to secure active, high-profile performers for key leadership roles.
Students at the conservatory will have access to instruction from Murrath, though he will cap his studio size to accommodate his administrative load. The local Boston community may see Murrath perform more frequently as he returns to the area for his faculty tenure.
The takeaway
Murraths transition highlights the importance of maintaining strong ties between an institutions faculty and its alumni network. Prospective students should check the conservatory course directory to understand how his limited teaching availability impacts studio enrollment.
Further reading
Learn more about the local arts scene at Classical.
