April 16, 2026 — Dr. Jacob Allen has been elevated to the position of Director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music effective July 1, Dr. Debra Burns, Dean of the University of Memphis’ College of Communication and Fine Arts announced on Wednesday.
“Jacob Allen is exactly the right leader for this moment in the Scheidt School of Music’s history,” Burns said. “He brings 16 years of deep institutional knowledge, a record of artistic excellence that is recognized nationally and a genuine commitment to the students and faculty who make this school exceptional. I am confident he will build on the school’s remarkable legacy while positioning it as a destination program for the region and the nation.”
Allen has been serving as the interim director at the Scheidt School of Music since July 1, 2025, while also chairing the Department of Theatre and Dance, a position he has held since August 2020.
At the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, Allen will oversee the school’s operations, academic programs and artistic endeavors. He will work closely with faculty, staff, students and stakeholders to maintain the school’s high musical excellence standards and advance its mission of fostering creativity, scholarship and cultural engagement through music.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music,” Allen said. “This is a community defined by extraordinary students, dedicated faculty and a strong tradition of excellence. I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead it forward.”
Allen joined UofM in August 2010 as an assistant professor, Musical Theatre, increasing his role in both the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music over the past 15 years. During his interim year leading the Scheidt School of Music, he expanded the school’s performance programming and grew revenue at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.
“Our goal is to create an environment where every student can thrive artistically and academically while engaging meaningfully with the broader community,” Allen said.
The Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center is the region’s largest and most comprehensive performing arts facility and acts as a hub for artistic expression, education and community engagement.
Allen has been both a director and performer, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge as both a teacher and a leader. In 2014 he was awarded the Thomas W. Briggs Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, the UofM’s highest honor for excellence in the classroom. He has also served as the associate artistic director of the Ohio Light Opera, a professional company located in Ohio with a 46-year history, taking over as the artistic director this summer.
“Looking ahead, my vision is to build on the school’s strengths while deepening our connections to the vibrant musical and cultural life of Memphis,” Allen said. “We have a unique opportunity to position our students at the intersection of tradition and innovation — preparing them not only as outstanding musicians, but as creative leaders who actively shape the artistic life of our city and beyond.”
Allen earned his Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University, his Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music and his Doctor or Musical Arts from the University of Memphis.
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