Music Dean Bernard Dobroski began a six-week personal leave last week after injuring his left ankle about a month ago. Assoc. Dean Frederick Hemke has taken over as acting dean in the interim.

Dobroski is taking his first leave from the Music School after tearing ligaments in his ankle last month. He said he would focus on reading grant proposals, working on summer programs and taking care of his health.

While Dobroski is away, Hemke, who is a saxophone professor, will be stepping back from his teaching duties to fulfill his role as acting dean. He will only be teaching senior and graduate students studying saxophone.

Hemke could not be reached for comment Monday.

Dobroski’s leave of absence will be his first in 11 years as dean of the Music School. He said he will be back in time for commencement, and he plans on continuing as dean for many more years.

“I have a great job,” he said. “I conduct concerts, go downtown to symphonies and the House of Blues. NU has a lot to get from me yet, and I have a lot to contribute.”

He said one of the projects he was organizing was the Middle Eastern Divan Project, a summer program in which 90 musicians from Israel and the Middle East will come to NU for a series of rehearsals.

Dobroski’s history of ankle problems dates back to 11 years ago, when he shattered his left ankle in an accident while exiting a small commuter airplane. After recuperating, he didn’t have any problems with the ankle until about a month ago, when he twisted it stepping onto a curb in New York City. He said that although the injury was not serious, he could not handle the heavy load of travel – six trips a month, he said – that his job requires.

Dobroski’s absence has forced some Music students to adjust to class without Henke, regarded by many as the best saxophone teacher in the country.

“(Hemke) is a brilliant man and saxophone teacher, and he is able to articulate good music and good ideas very well,” said David Matthews, a Music junior.

Matthews is in a class this quarter that was being taught by Hemke and a teaching assistant, but Hemke had to leave the class last week and let the TA take over. Matthews said Spring Quarter was the best time for Hemke to step back from his teaching duties.

“It would have been much worse if it were at the beginning of the year,” he said. “Incoming freshmen need to get his rigorous beginning training.”