James Undercofler is the President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra, assuming this position in summer, 2006. Prior to Philadelphia, he was the Dean of the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, appointed in 1997 after serving for two years as Dean of Academic Affairs. At Eastman Jim held the Howard Hanson Directorship and an academic appointment as Professor of Music Education and was responsible for the creation of the Institute for Music Leadership, as well as numerous other curriculum reform initiatives aimed at preparing students for careers in the 21st century.
Prior to Eastman, Jim was the Executive and Founding Director of the Minnesota Center for Arts Education, a state agency devoted to the enhancement of arts education and the Director of the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven. His background also includes that of a youth orchestra conductor, professional French horn player and public school teacher.