About the Interim President

Dr. Iris S. Levine has been appointed as Interim President at Cal Poly Pomona. Dr. Levine previously served as Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences; Interim Dean of the College of Education and Integrative Studies; Music Department Chair and Professor of Music. She earned her Doctorate in Choral Music from the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Rodney Eichenberger and she holds a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the International Federation of Choral Music and Chorus America.

Dr. Levine is proud to have led the College of Letters, Arts, & Social Sciences, one of the largest and most diverse colleges at the university. She is a champion for innovation, students, faculty and staff.

Dr. Levine served on the steering committee for the institution’s regional accreditation, on numerous university committees in support of strategic and academic planning and co-chaired a committee in support of the lifecycle of the professoriate. Dr. Levine is regarded as a leader who cares deeply about our campus community.

Dr. Levine’s research and creative interests are in women’s choruses. She is the founder and artistic director of VOX Femina, Los Angeles’s premiere women’s chorus, which has performed over 300 concerts throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada — including Carnegie Hall — and is a recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award. Dr. Levine is highly recognized for innovative concert programming, and her extensive knowledge and breadth of women’s choral literature make her sought-after as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician.

Dr. Levine authored the chapter on “Working with the Women’s Community Choir” in the 2012 GIA publication: Conducting Women’s Choirs: Strategies for Success. She is also a contributing author in Choral Reflections: Insights from American Choral Conductor-Teachers, and Choral Repertoire by Women Composers. Dr. Levine, known for her leadership skills, has served in numerous posts with the American Choral Directors Association, including serving as the National Chair for Women’s Choruses. Dr. Levine has a passion for commissioning, promoting and performing music by women composers. She offers workshops, lectures and demonstrations on the music of women composers, and she is the editor for the Iris S. Levine Treble Choral Series with Pavane Publishing.

Iris resides in Culver City, California, with her wife Lesili, who is also a successful musician and arts advocate. They are extremely active in the Southern California arts community.