David Strobbe

Originally from Canada, Dr. Strobbe has traveled the world as a performer, educator, leader, and mentor. He has performed as a principal ballet dancer in companies such as Hong Kong Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, and Smuin Ballet. He also performed on the stages of Walnut Street Theater, Maine State Music Theater, and the Fulton Theater in musicals. After retiring from the stage, Dr. Strobbe transitioned to performing arts administration. He worked with world renowned conductors, directors, opera singers, and creative teams while at The Metropolitan Opera in artistic administration. Upon completing his Master's in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management, he began working at The Juilliard School as a Production Manager where he produced over 60 productions and mentored the next generation of artists across multiple performing arts genres for the past 7 years. Dr. Strobbe continued his academic career and completed his doctorate in Transformative Leadership in Higher Education, from the University of New England. His dissertation focused on how successful the performing arts schools and music conservatories prepared vocal arts students for their professional career. At the same time, he began teaching Creative Thinking at Montclair State University as an adjunct professor. Dr. Strobbe also co-founded Expanding Out, an organization that focuses on developing creative thinking skills to mobilize one's creative power. Their program, The BIG You, is tailored for middle school students as an introduction to creative thinking and how to empower their voices in their personal and academic lives. In the summer of 2022, Dr. Strobbe developed an international student exchange program - Across the Pond - with colleagues from The University of Dundee, in Scotland and Montclair State University. This creative thinking program had students from each university collaborate and create their own content culminating in live, multimedia performances, all while learning career-related skills. He is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and Americans for the Arts. He also sits on the boards of the Songwriters Guild of America and LEAP (Liberal Education for Arts Professionals). Dr. Strobbe earned his EdD in Transformational Leadership in Higher Education from the University of New England. He also earned a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Baruch College in New York City, and a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts from St. Mary’s College of California.