Milton Rubén Laufer Will Join CMU College of Fine Arts as School of Music Head

Milton Rubén Laufer has been named the Jack G. Buncher Chair and new head of the School of Music(opens in new window) within the College of Fine Arts(opens in new window) (CFA) at Carnegie Mellon University. He will join the university in his new role beginning July 1, 2025. 

Laufer is currently the director of the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University, a position he has held since 2019. From 2017-19, Laufer was director of the School of Music and associate professor of piano at Western Carolina University. In 2014, he co-founded and became a partner of the Tacitus International Consulting Group and, prior to that, was the dean of music at the New World School of the Arts at the University of Florida. Laufer also worked as an assistant and associate professor of fine arts, respectively, at Peace College from 2001 to 2011.

“Milton is a seasoned leader and a joyous performer,” said CFA Dean Mary Ellen Poole(opens in new window). “We look forward to collaborating with him to shape the future direction of our music school.”

Laufer earned his bachelor’s degree in piano performance at the University of Michigan. He went on to earn the master of music and doctor of musical arts from Rice University. His piano studies began at the Music Center of the North Shore (now the Music Institute of Chicago) and at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow. He also completed some undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. 

He is a voting member of both the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is also a member of the Association of Fulbright Alumni, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, the College Music Society and the National Association of Schools of Music, for whom he serves as a visiting evaluator and regional vice chair.

“I’m deeply honored to have been chosen to lead Carnegie Mellon University’s storied School of Music,” Laufer said. “I look forward to working alongside its exceptional faculty, staff and students on building its bright future together.”