Laurier appoints Professor Kimberly Barber as interim dean of the Faculty of Music

June 11, 2026

Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Kimberly Barber as interim dean of the Faculty of Music beginning July 1, 2026, for an anticipated 12-month period.

Barber joined the Laurier community in 2002 and has served as professor of voice and coordinated the opera program for more than 15 years. In 2017, she began her role as associate dean: external relations, partnerships and graduate studies of the Faculty of Music, collaborating on several projects, including opera performance partnerships with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, a Memorandum of Understanding between Laurier and the Michigan State University to enhance international cooperation in music education, performance and research, and an immersive musical theatre course with the Stratford Festival.

“I am delighted that Professor Barber will lead the Faculty of Music during this exciting time in its history,” says Heidi Northwood, provost and vice-president: academic. “Her dedication to students, faculty and staff, along with an extensive knowledge of the Faculty of Music and strong connections with community partners, make her an outstanding leader.”

Barber is also the co-author of Laurier’s Master of Music program in Collaboration, Curation and Creative Performance (MMus C3), first offered in September 2024, and designed many of its course offerings. Through her stewardship of external partners of the Faculty of Music, MMus C3 students have access to experiential learning opportunities with organizations including Tapestry Opera, FAWN Chamber Creative, NUMUS, Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound, Neruda Arts and Arraymusic, among many others.

Barber’s research focuses on the Art of Practice — establishing effective practice routines to optimize learning and adopting a growth mindset — and the effective use of the body in vocal pedagogy. She is a licensed Body Mapping Educator and incorporates Body Mapping exercises into her teaching.

“I am honoured to fulfil this leadership role within the Faculty of Music, where I have spent many rewarding years as a faculty member and associate dean," says Barber. "It is my goal to steward Music at Laurier during an exciting and transformative time as we continue to roll out new curriculum and programs and build on the visionary leadership of Dean Cynthia Johnston Turner."

A prolific performer in Canada and internationally, Barber’s 40-year career includes more than 50 operatic roles, spanning standard repertoire, as well as contemporary and baroque works. She has created leading roles in contemporary opera, including Asa in the world premiere of Oksana G (Tapestry Opera, 2017), and premiered This Land, a work commissioned for her by NUMUS (2017) in Waterloo, Ont.

In addition to live performing, Barber has streamed concerts with Confluence Concerts and Laurier. She has also recorded with major labels including CBC Records, Naxos and Deutsche Grammophon, singing the role of Concepción in Ravel’s L’heure Espagnole with the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn. Barber debuted with Winnipeg’s Little Opera Company in the Canadian premiere of Three Decembers in 2022.

Barber holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Diploma in Operatic Performance from the University of Toronto.

Her role as interim dean follows the conclusion of Cynthia Johnston Turner’s term as dean on June 30, 2026.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Dean Johnston Turner for her leadership over the past several years and for the many contributions made to the Faculty of Music, Laurier and the broader community,” says Northwood.

Laurier will launch a search for a permanent dean of the Faculty of Music in fall 2026.