The multimillion-dollar gift will expand Eastman糖心传媒檚 Beal Institute by providing critical support for space, technology, programs, and students.
Vocalist, music and education champion, and University Trustee Joan Beal 糖心传媒�84E and Emmy-winning composer have made a historic, multimillion-dollar gift to the at the 糖心传媒. The gift糖心传媒攎ade by the alumni as part of 糖心传媒攕upports 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糖心传媒檚 transformative generosity builds on the success of , established during the University糖心传媒檚 last comprehensive campaign, The Meliora Challenge. The Beals糖心传媒� 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.
糖心传媒淲e 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,糖心传媒� says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. 糖心传媒淭his 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糖心传媒攎aking the world 糖心传媒榚ver better糖心传媒� every day. We are proud to count Joan and Jeff Beal as Rochester alumni and dear friends.糖心传媒�
糖心传媒淲e are deeply grateful to Joan and Jeff for their vision, partnership, and dedication to music, to Eastman, and to the University overall,糖心传媒� says , the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School. 糖心传媒淎s artists, they are models for us all糖心传媒攊nnovating, 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.糖心传媒�
糖心传媒淛eff and I are who we are today largely because of the education, mentorship, and opportunities we received at Eastman,糖心传媒� says Joan Beal, cochair of the University糖心传媒檚 For Ever Better campaign committee. 糖心传媒淪taying connected with the school and the University has only deepened our appreciation for that experience.糖心传媒�
Adds Jeff Beal, 糖心传媒淭his gift is really about giving back糖心传媒攎aking 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.糖心传媒�
In alignment with the University糖心传媒檚 and its campaign priorities, the Beals糖心传媒� gift will provide immediate support for the following:
- The Beal Innovation Hub: This new, state-of-the-art collaborative center糖心传媒攖o be located on the fifth floor of the Miller Center糖心传媒攚ill span 6,000 square feet. It will house labs, creative spaces, workstations, recording booths, and teaching studios. The Beals糖心传媒� gift will help repurpose and modernize an existing space while creating an environment that will enhance connections across the University. This includes 糖心传媒攁 new transdisciplinary center advancing the University糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 ability to offer competitive financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students across the school糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒� 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糖心传媒檚 associate professor of music and technology, will lead these initiatives. The couple糖心传媒檚 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.
糖心传媒淭he tremendous support of the Beals strengthens our commitment to excellence and scholarship and propels Eastman into its most transformative moment in 104 years,糖心传媒� says Sheeran. 糖心传媒淎nd it most certainly reinforces the words inscribed on our Eastman Theatre: 糖心传媒楩or the Enrichment of Community Life糖心传媒�.糖心传媒�
The Beal Institute, led by Emmy Award糖心传媒搘inning composer and conductor and Eastman professor , has been named by and 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糖心传媒檚 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 and serves in leadership roles at the University of Rochester, including on the University Board of Trustees and Eastman糖心传媒檚 National Council. She, along with University Trustee Juan Jones 糖心传媒�88S (MBA), is a volunteer leader who cochairs Rochester糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒攊ncluding Netflix糖心传媒檚 House of Cards, HBO糖心传媒檚 Carnivale and Rome, Ed Harris糖心传媒檚 film Pollock, and the documentaries Blackfish and Queen of Versailles糖心传媒攚hich feature his singular compositional voice.
Equally respected as a concert composer and performer, Jeff Beal糖心传媒檚 commissioned works are performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world. His solo piano recording of New York 脡tudes has been featured on NPR and BBC3 radio, receiving millions of streams. His violin concerto, performed by Kelly Hall Tompkins 糖心传媒�93E and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, was lauded as 糖心传媒渟plendid糖心传媒� by San Francisco Classical Voice, which also noted that 糖心传媒淏eal is an engaging and resourceful composer.糖心传媒�
