We caught up with him for a little rapid fire Q+A to learn more about his background, early impressions, and yes, even his favourite time of day (spoiler: it’s a tie).

From Music to Mixed Media

Best known as a pianist and educator, Dr. Runge’s relationship with the arts has always extended beyond the concert hall.

“I’ve played piano since I was six, and I’ve spent my professional life balancing teaching, administration, and performance,” he says. “But I also took visual art throughout high school—my parents are still proudly displaying some of my Grade 11 and 12 pieces in their home in Ontario.”

While his love of visual art isn’t new, this role is a chance to go deeper.
“I’ve always enjoyed connecting what was happening in visual art to what musicians were doing at the same time. Now I get to become a more knowledgeable art lover and supporter—learning from my colleagues here at the School of Art.”

Big Picture Goals

Even in his early days, Runge has been struck by the creativity and care that shape the School.

“The BFA show blew me away,” he says. “The work, the thoughtfulness, the level of commitment from students, staff, and faculty alike—it’s clear there’s something really special happening here. My goal is to help make sure that this excellence is seen and celebrated across Canada—and beyond, and to draw even larger numbers of developing artists to come study with our faculty here at UM.” 

Okay, Rapid-Fire Round  (We asked. He answered. Quickly.)

Q: Coffee or tea?

A:  Coffee, though only before noon. If you see me with one later in the day, it’s probably not a great sign.

Q:  Favourite time of day?

A:  Either very early in the morning—when the sun’s just starting to rise and everything’s quiet—or late at night when the world slows down again. The problem, of course, is that those two don’t mix well!

Q:  Office item you can’t live without?

A:  A notepad—for scribbling reminders and to-do lists throughout the day.

Q:  Music, podcast, or silence while working?

A:  Music—usually classical if I’m working in the office.

Q:  A hobby or passion totally unrelated to art or music?

A:  Cooking and wine tasting.

Q:  Favourite restaurant you’ve tried in Winnipeg?

A:  So far, besides Subway, Tim Hortons, and a hotel restaurant, my one proper dinner out has been at Oxbow—taken there by a former piano student of mine (now a UM med school grad). It was fantastic.

Q:  First gallery you visited here?

A:  The School of Art Gallery, naturally! The recent Jon Sasaki exhibition was great.

Q:  An artwork that moved you?

A:  Alfredo Jaar’s The End of the World at KINDL Gallery in Berlin. Unforgettable.

Q:  An artist or musician everyone should know?

A:  Pianist Stephen Hough. His arrangements are incredibly clever—try his take on My Favourite Things or his wildly theatrical version of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Q:  A book you always recommend?

A:  Jan Swafford’s Brahms: A Biography, or Saturday by Ian McEwan.

Q:  Best part of being at the School of Art so far?

A:  Being surrounded by inspired visuals. It’s a refreshing contrast to the joyful chaos of a music school, where everyone’s practicing something different at once.

Q:  One-word students would use to describe you?

A:  Tough. (Though I hope they’d also say “fair.”)

Q:  Go-to advice for students?

A:  Take full advantage of everything this place offers—it’s so much more than just what happens in the classroom.

Q:  Finally…what’s more stressful: tuning an instrument or hanging a group show?

A:  I can’t do either!

(But let’s be honest—it’s definitely hanging a group show. No one argues over violin height. Then again… we at SOA might be a little biased.)

A Coast-to-Coast Creative

Born in Saskatchewan, Dr. Runge has studied and worked across Canada—from BC to Quebec, Ontario to the East Coast—and now, Manitoba.

“In these times of heightened Canadian patriotism,” he says, “I’m proud to have performed and lived from coast to coast. A trip to the North is now on my bucket list.”

Welcome to the School of Art, Dr. Runge—we’re glad you’re here.

(P.S. We owe you a proper Winnipeg restaurant list—Subway doesn’t count.)

Dr. Stephen Runge has been appointed as the new dean/director overseeing both the Desautels Faculty of Music and the School of Art. Hailing from Saskatchewan, Runge brings nearly two decades of experience as a Professor of Piano and over a decade as Head of the Department of Music at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.

“It’s an exciting leap to a larger institution,” Runge shared on Classic 107’s Morning Light. “I’m thrilled to engage with graduate programs in both music and art and to explore the flexibility and diversity these programs already offer.”

In a recent conversation with Classic 107, Runge shared his thoughts on the role, his passion for connecting music and visual arts, and his goals for the university’s engagement with the Winnipeg arts community.

Read more and catch the full interview here: Classic 107. 

Dr. Stephen Runge is a celebrated pianist, professor and administrator. He joins UM after serving 11 years as Head of the Department of Music at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick where he is also a Professor of Piano and the Director of Mount Allison Local Centre Examinations in Music. In recognition of his outstanding teaching, research, creative activities, and service, Mount Allison awarded him a Paul Paré Excellence Award in 2010, the J.E.A. Crake Award for excellence in teaching in the Faculty of Arts in 2014, and the Paul Paré Medal in 2020. Before joining the faculty at Mount Allison, Dr. Runge taught at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

“Please join me in extending congratulations to Dr. Runge on his appointment,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “Dr. Runge’s commitment to collaborative and collegial leadership, student experience, Indigenous achievement, EDIA, and research and creative works excellence will well serve the Desautels Faculty of Music, the School of Art, and the University of Manitoba.”

Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Dr. Runge began playing piano at the age of six. He completed a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria, where he was a student of the late Dr. Robin Wood. Under the direction of Marc Durand, he completed a Master of Music degree at l’Université de Montréal and an Artist Diploma at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He then completed a Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance from l’Université de Montréal. He also studied at the Banff Centre for the Arts with Julian Martin of the Juilliard School and was a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Dr. Runge is lauded as a sensitive and versatile pianist who has been broadcast nationally on CBC Radio Two and La Chaîne Culturelle de Radio-Canada, receiving special recognition for his frequent performances of chamber music and art song. He has recorded all the major works for solo piano by Robert Schumann, an album of solo piano works from 1917, and a recital of English art song with countertenor Daniel Cabena.

Dr. Runge has served as teacher, adjudicator and clinician across Canada. He has presented at conferences and given workshops on topics such as effective practice methods, performance practices for Baroque and Classical music, and the challenges of teaching popular music. He is currently Vice-President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association. While serving in his new leadership role, Dr. Runge will also hold a position as tenured Professor in the Desautels Faculty of Music.

“I am truly honoured to join the University of Manitoba as Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music and Director of the School of Art, and look forward to collaborating with such a vibrant community of faculty, students and staff,” says Dr. Runge. “I am excited to join this dynamic and committed group of artists and musicians as we work together to build on our strengths and continue to offer transformative creative experiences to our Music and Art students.”

Dr. Greg Smith, Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) will serve as Acting Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music and Director of the School of Art until April 30, 2025.

UM extends a warm welcome to Dr. Runge and looks forward to his leadership.