Cellist Robert K. Dodson has Died, Aged 81

Dodson was the former provost of the New England Conservatory and held leadership roles at the Royal Conservatory of Music, among others

Born in 1942 in Los Angeles, California, cellist and pedagogue Robert K. Dodson passed away at the Albany Medical Center at the age of 81. 

Studying with the renowned Hungarian-American cellist János Starker, Dodson completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music 

He also attended Columbia University and Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music (NEC), and was a member of the Vághy String Quartet for 11 years between 1969 and 1981. 

From 2004 to 2007, Dodson served as NEC’s Provost, and was later appointed director of Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. 

“It is with deep sadness that we share that distinguished cellist, music educator, and former NEC Provost, Robert K. Dodson, [has] passed away,” NEC Alumni posted on Facebook. 

Dodson’s previous roles included dean of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Lawrence University Conservatory, vice-principal and principal of the Royal Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto, and artist-in-residence and associate professor at Queen's University. 

While in Canada, he founded and served as the managing director of The Chamber Music Institute, Friends of Chamber Music Inc. In retirement, he was a volunteer member of the Olive Fire Department.   

Mr. Dodson is survived by his wife, with whom he recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary, his daughter and son, his brother, four grandchildren, and extended family.

Our condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues.