Holy Cross announced today that Jeffrey de Caen, a leader in arts administration, production and interdisciplinary collaboration, has been appointed as the Nancy Savage Skinner ’79 Director of The Prior Performing Arts Center effective June 1, following a nationwide search.
With decades of experience in performing arts management, de Caen has overseen major productions, guided strategic initiatives and championed programs that integrate the arts into broader academic and community contexts. He brings a wealth of experience that will further elevate The Prior as a hub for world-class programming, interdisciplinary partnerships and deep engagement with the local and global arts communities.
A product of Jesuit education, de Caen deeply values the intersection of creativity and intellectual inquiry, of using the arts to create dialogue, challenge perspectives and encourage innovation and creative thinking: “I am deeply honored to be entrusted with nurturing the exceptional chemistry among the outstanding staff, exemplary students and visionary leadership of the College — alongside the inspiring architecture of The Prior and the vibrant artistic heart of the Commonwealth.”
De Caen holds degrees in music, recording engineering and production from Loyola Marymount University, with additional graduate studies at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, the University of Bonn in Germany, and the Benedictine Abbey in Solesmes, France. His background as a performer spans musical theater, opera, vocal performance and guitar studies in classical, jazz and rock.
"I am delighted to welcome Jeffrey de Caen as the new Nancy Savage Skinner '79 Director of the Prior Performing Arts Center," Holy Cross President Vincent Rougeau said. "Jeff brings a stellar track record of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivating high-profile industry partnerships. Importantly, he champions the centrality of the arts in a liberal arts education for all students. His extensive experience in arts leadership and higher education, coupled with his roots in Jesuit education, make him an ideal fit to lead The Prior in its exciting next chapter."
De Caen joins Holy Cross from the University of Southern California (USC), where he has served in various leadership roles, most recently as the associate dean for operations of the USC Thornton School of Music. In this role, he was instrumental in developing operational and programmatic strategies that enhanced the school’s production capabilities and partnerships.
After joining USC in 2001, de Caen designed and co-produced numerous high-profile events, including more than 50 student-focused Visions & Voices Initiative grant projects and collaborations with esteemed organizations such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera and the Grammy Foundation.
Additionally, de Caen served as executive producer of the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, a 10-day, 42-event cello extravaganza presented by the USC Thornton School of Music and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in partnership with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, showcasing more than 30 international artists representing 15 countries and four continents.
De Caen succeeds Kyle Frisina, assistant professor of English, who served as The Prior’s interim director since its opening in the fall 2022.
