Tommy Neblett Named Dean of Dance for Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Today, Boston Conservatory at Berklee announced Tommy Neblett as dean of dance. The appointment is effective immediately.

Neblett assumes the role of dean after serving as the Conservatory’s interim dean of dance during the 2017–2018 academic year. Prior to that, he was assistant director of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee Dance Division, and had served as a dance faculty member for 24 years. Neblett’s longstanding dedication to the Conservatory and thoughtful vision have been instrumental in the evolution of the Dance Division over the years. He has played a key role in expanding artistic programming, reimagining the dance curriculum, and building the Conservatory’s national and international profile as a leader in dance training.

“Tommy’s expertise and leadership have been deeply impactful to the Conservatory,” said Boston Conservatory at Berklee Executive Director Cathy Young. “He has extensive experience in dance performance, business, and education, and is a trusted colleague who understands the Conservatory and its value to the performing arts. I can’t imagine a more capable and deserving individual to take on this role.”

In addition to his work at the Conservatory, Neblett has enjoyed an impressive performance career, having performed works by renowned contemporary choreographers such as Laura Dean and Dan Wagoner. He was also a member of Boston's Concert Dance Company and performed works by dance icons Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham, Bebe Miller, and Mark Dendy, among others.

Neblett is also the coartistic director of the acclaimed international touring company Prometheus Dance, which was founded by his wife and fellow Boston Conservatory at Berklee dance faculty member Diane Arvanites. Prometheus Dance has been recognized with numerous choreographic awards and fellowships, including a National Endowment of the Arts Creativity Grant, Massachusetts Cultural Council grants, and a Massachusetts Governor's citation for outstanding artistic achievement.

Neblett has previously served on the dance faculties of Harvard University, Emerson College, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, the Dance Complex, and the Oure Idraetshojskole in Denmark. He holds two bachelor's degrees from James Madison University: a B.A. in physical education with a major in dance and a B.A. in communications with a major in theater.

Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s four-year B.F.A. in contemporary dance is widely considered the leading college program for contemporary dance training. The cutting-edge program has garnered praise for its emphasis on artistic exploration, self-expression, and technique-building through intensive study of ballet, modern and contemporary dance, jazz, improvisation, hip-hop, composition, and pedagogy. Each semester, the school also hosts renowned guest choreographers who create new works for Conservatory dancers or reconstruct masterworks, teach classes, and provide career advice and support. In addition, Boston Conservatory boasts exclusive, one-of-a-kind partnerships with the Royal Academy of Dance in London, the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, and Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Massachusetts. Learn more about these unique partnerships and Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s B.F.A. in contemporary dance.