Alumni Joan and Jeff Beal make record gift to the University’s Eastman School of Music

The multimillion-dollar gift will expand Eastman's Beal Institute by providing critical support for space, technology, programs, and students.

Vocalist, music and education champion, and University Trustee Joan Beal '84E and Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal '85E have made a historic, multimillion-dollar gift to the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. The gift-made by the alumni as part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester-supports the intersection of music, technology, and education. It is also the largest individual gift made to the school since George Eastman established it in 1921.

The couple's transformative generosity builds on the success of Eastman's Beal Institute for Film Composition and Contemporary Media, established during the University's last comprehensive campaign, The Meliora Challenge. The Beals' newest gift marks a major expansion of the institute and will provide critical funds for facilities, technology and innovation, new undergraduate and graduate programs, and scholarships that support student success across the school. Ultimately, it will build new opportunities to equip graduates for 21st-century careers in music.

"We are incredibly thankful to Joan and Jeff Beal for everything they have done in support of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester," says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. "This latest gift is another example of the many ways that they support the next generation of Eastman musicians. Their philanthropy will have a lasting impact. The Beals exemplify our Meliora mission-making the world 'ever better' every day. We are proud to count Joan and Jeff Beal as Rochester alumni and dear friends."

"We are deeply grateful to Joan and Jeff for their vision, partnership, and dedication to music, to Eastman, and to the University overall," says Kate Sheeran, the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School. "As artists, they are models for us all-innovating, evolving, and forging pathways for new generations. Their gift is truly consequential, shaping our school in profound ways, strengthening our mission, and affirming the vital role music plays in advancing knowledge, innovation, and human connection."

"Jeff and I are who we are today largely because of the education, mentorship, and opportunities we received at Eastman," says Joan Beal, cochair of the University's For Ever Better campaign committee. "Staying connected with the school and the University has only deepened our appreciation for that experience."

Adds Jeff Beal, "This gift is really about giving back-making sure the next generation of musicians, innovators, and creators have the support and opportunities they need to grow and succeed in the ever-evolving technological and cultural landscape of music."

In alignment with the University's Boundless Possibility strategic plan and its campaign priorities, the Beals' gift will provide immediate support for the following:

• The Beal Innovation Hub: This new, state-of-the-art collaborative center-to be located on the fifth floor of the Miller Center-will span 6,000 square feet. It will house labs, creative spaces, workstations, recording booths, and teaching studios. The Beals' gift will help repurpose and modernize an existing space while creating an environment that will enhance connections across the University. This includes SoundSpace-a new transdisciplinary center advancing the University's leadership in music and technology in partnership with the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences.

• Scholarships and student success: New scholarships made possible by the Beals will enhance Eastman's ability to offer competitive financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students across the school's programs. This increased support will play a pivotal role in attracting and enrolling the most talented students from around the world, regardless of their economic circumstances.

• Academic programs: The Beals' gift includes initial funding to support new undergraduate and graduate programs that will launch in fall 2027. In his newly created role as the Beal Institute's associate professor of music and technology, Dennis DeSantis '05E (DMA) will lead these initiatives. The couple's generosity will also provide dedicated resources to hire additional faculty, welcome industry professionals, and purchase state-of-the-art technology for students to be successful in their careers.

"The tremendous support of the Beals strengthens our commitment to excellence and scholarship and propels Eastman into its most transformative moment in 104 years," says Sheeran. "And it most certainly reinforces the words inscribed on our Eastman Theatre: 'For the Enrichment of Community Life'."

The Beal Institute, led by Emmy Award-winning composer and conductor and Eastman professor Mark Watters, has been named by Billboard and Hollywood Reporter for several years running as a top program in the nation for film composition and contemporary media.

About Joan and Jeff Beal

The Beals are deeply committed alumni, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative talent. Joan Beal, an accomplished vocalist, has recorded on hundreds of film and television scores and performed with some of the world's most renowned composers and orchestras. Her artistry spans classical, film, and contemporary music, and she is widely respected as a mentor and advocate for young artists.

In addition to her recording career, she has been recognized with Eastman's prestigious Dean's Medal and serves in leadership roles at the University of Rochester, including on the University Board of Trustees and Eastman's National Council. She, along with University Trustee Juan Jones '88S (MBA), is a volunteer leader who cochairs Rochester's For Ever Better philanthropy and engagement campaign, launched in September 2025.

Jeff Beal is a five-time Emmy-winning composer acclaimed for his richly expressive scores for streaming and film-including Netflix's House of Cards, HBO's Carnivale and Rome, Ed Harris's film Pollock, and the documentaries Blackfish and Queen of Versailles-which feature his singular compositional voice.

Equally respected as a concert composer and performer, Jeff Beal's commissioned works are performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world. His solo piano recording of New York Études has been featured on NPR and BBC3 radio, receiving millions of streams. His violin concerto, performed by Kelly Hall Tompkins '93E and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, was lauded as "splendid" by San Francisco Classical Voice, which also noted that "Beal is an engaging and resourceful composer."