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University of Miami Faculty 1926
Among the University Faculty of 1926 are Sadie Lou Lindenmayer (center) and May Brigel (right), first instructors of Public School Music.

 On this page appear brief biographies of 21 tenured faculty and professors of professional practice. Groupings reflect time periods when faculty arrived at Miami. Brief descriptions of each era appear on The Eras page.

Faculty Experience

Faculty members joined the music school as seasoned educators, with an average age of 43 at arrival (ranging from 32 to 58 years), and most brought considerable experience in higher education. On average, faculty remained at Miami for 17 years, with many completing their entire careers there. The professors with the longest tenures include Frances Bergh (30 years), Nicholas DeCarbo (29), Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo (29), Lee Kjelson (26), Ted Crager (25), Stephen Zdzinski (23 years as of 2025), and Thomas Collins (22).

Accordion Group

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  • Faculty Degrees

    Midwestern universities have frequently prepared department faculty, especially, the University of Cincinatti (Abril, Jordan, Powell, Zdzinski), University of Kansas (Boyle, Asmus, Coffman), State University of Iowa (Collins, Kjelson, Fizpatrick),  and Indiana University (Powell, Zdzinski).  Lee Kjelson and James Fitzpatrick had earned their Ph.Ds with Neal Glenn at Iowa prior to coming to Miami.

    May Brigel Pittsburgh Conservatory of Music (BM) Oberlin Conservatory of Music (MM) 
    Frances Bergh Chicago Musical College (BM) American Convservatory (MM)
    Thomas Collins State University of Iowa 1935 (Music Education & Chemistry)  State University of Iowa 1936 (MM, orchestration)  State University of Iowa 1950 (PhD)
    Harriet Nordholm McPhail College of Music 1934 (BM) Northwestern University 1950 (MM)
    Ted Crager Texas Technological College  1949 (BS),  1950 (MEd) Teachers College 1954 (MA), Speclalist in Music Education 1954 Columbia University 1955 (EdD)
    Kjelson University of Nebraska 1948 (BM) University of Nebraska 1951 (MM) State University of Iowa 1957 (PhD)
    Neal Glenn Wisconsin 1933 (BM) University of Wisconsin 1943 (MM) Northwestern University 1948 (PhD)
    James Fitzpatrick Lowell State College 1954 (BS) University of Connecticut 1960 (MM) State University of Iowa 1968 (PhD)
    John Kinyon Eastman School, University of Rochester 1940 (BM) Ithaca College 1949 (MM)
    Brian Busch Oregon State University 1962 (BM) University of Oregon 1963 (MM) University of Oregon 1972 (PhD)
    J. David Boyle Arkansas 1956 (BSE) University of Kansas 1960 (MM) University of Kansas 1968 (PhD)
    Nicholas DeCarbo Youngstown State University 1968 (BM) Youngstown State University 1972 (MM) Kent State University 1981 (PhD)
    Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo Brescia College 1965 (BM) University of Cincinatti 1970 (MM) Kent State University 1981 (PhD)
    Richard Fiese University of Wisconsin 1980 (BM) University of Miami 1986 (MM) University of Miami 1989 (PhD)
    Edward Asmus Ohio State University 1971 (BM) University of Kansas 1975 (MM) University of Kansas 1979 (PhD)
    Stephen Zdzinski University of Cincinatti 1982 (BM) Indiana  University 1987 (MM) Indiana University 1993 (PhD)
    Brian Powell Indiana University 1994 (BM) Indiana Indiana 1997 (MM) University of Cincinatti College Conservatory of Music 2013 (PhD)
    Don D. Coffman University of Kansas 1978 (BME) Wichita State University 1984 (MM) University of Kansas 1988 (PhD)
    Carlos Abril University of Miami 1993 (BM) University of Cincinatti College Conservatory of Music 1994 (MM) Ohio State University 2003 (PhD)
    Corin Overland Gustavus Adolphus 1995 (BM)  University of Missour-Kansas City Conservatory of Music 2001 (MM) Temple University 2011 (PhD)
    J. Steven Moore University of South Carolina 1981 (BM) University of Kentucky 1984 (MM) University of Kentucky 2001 (DMA)

  • Former Institutions

    Faculty typically came to Miami with previous teaching experience in higher education. The influence of the State University of Iowa (subsequently renamed to University of Iowa) is worth noting: Neal Glenn and Don D. Coffman were Music Education chairs there before coming to Miami. 

    Professor Previous Higher Education Positions
    May Brigel University of Pittsburgh, lecturered at numerous Normal Schools in New England
    Frances Bergh University of Minnesota Northwest Agricultural School (1912-14)
    Thomas Collins
    Harriett Nordholm Michigan State Univeristy (1951-56), Boston University (1956-57)
    Ted Crager West Texas State University (1958-63), Texas Women's University (1963-65)
    Lee Kjelson Western State College, California State University at Hayward
    Neal Glenn Ohio University (1948-1955), State University of Iowa (1955-1968)
    James Fitzpatrick
    John Kinyon
    Brian Busch Pacific University, University of Southwestern Louisiana, and Corpus Christi State University
    J. David Boyle Penn State University (1968-1981)
    Nicholas DeCarbo
    Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo
    Richard Fiese University of Houston (1989-1995)
    Edward Asmus State University of Buffalo (1979-1986), University of Utah 1986-2000
    Stephen Zdzinski University of Maryland (visiting 1992-93), University of Toronto (visitng 1993-94), Indiana University (visiting 1994-96), Wayne State University (1996-99), University of South Carolina (1999-2002)
    Brian Powell
    Don D. Coffman University of Iowa (1987-2011)
    Carlos Abril Northwestern University (2003-2011)
    Corin Overland
    J. Steven Moore University of Central Missouri (2010-13), Colorado State University (2000-10), University of Kentucky (1982-86, 1998-99)

1926–1956, Guiding the Undergraduate Degree Program

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  • May K. Brigel (1926-1932)

    May K. Brigel

    "May K. Brigel was for many years in charge of the educational work of the Columbia Phonograph Co., and has had wide experience in organizing and training of normal classes. Mr. Will Earhart, director of public school music in Pittsburgh, has to say of her: 'Mrs. May K. Brigel is an excellent pianist with the highest music ideals. She is highly trained in musical pedagogy and is a keen student of educational theory and methods. She has a brilliant mind, a pleasing personality, excellent command of English and the quick psychological discernment which enables her to understand her pupils and minister to their needs.'" (UM Bulletin, 1926, p. 13)

    "Taught at the University of Pittsburg, instructor of Public School Music there. Lectured and travelled for five years, covering all the Eastern states, except New England, lecturing on Music Appreciation, covering all the State Universities, and State Normal Schools. Is now Director of Public School Music Department, and teaches Music Appreciation, and Music History. Has been with the University since 1926. (Ibis Yearbook, Vol. 5, 1931, p. 23)

    Professor Brigel broadcast a series of music appreciation lectures on radio station WIOD in 1931 (Ibis Yearbook Vol. 5, 1931, p.29). Her degrees were from Pittsburgh Conservatory of Music and Oberlin Conservatory of Music (IBIS v4, 1930, p. 13)

    Representative publication:

  • Frances Hovey Bergh (1932-1962)

    Francis Hovey Bergh

    “Three Choruses Being Planned: - Frances Hovey Bergh Will Direct Men’s, Women’s, Mixed Chorus.” This headline from the Miami Herald (October 7, 1931) marked her start at the University and the article further reported that “It is her plan to be able to present several light operettas during the winter.” By 1936 the Miami Hurricane noted, “The development of Public School Music from a very small department to an important one is due to the able leadership of Frances Hovey Bergh. From a beginning of five or six students in music appreciation classes it has grown now to forty-five members in one class alone. Instead of just a few courses this department now finds it necessary to have various courses, which it adequately offers, in order to cover the present increased requirements for training those who are going into music education in the public schools” (October 8, 1936, p. 2). And the 1943 Ibis Yearbook referred to her as a “teacher of music education in all of its phases, choral leader, and advisor to the music sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota.” (p. 16).

    She retired in 1962, and her 30-year career spanned the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War eras, providing stability amidst many changes. University commencement programs regularly listed her as choir director for Baccalaureate Services. Professor Bergh was also chair of the Music Literature Department and wrote the program notes for the early years of the UM Symphony Orchestra. Active in the UM Women's Guild, Mortar Board, the Opera Guild, the Music Educators National Conference and an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha, she found time to serve as organist and choir director at the South Miami Methodist Church, Bryan Memorial Methodist Church. and Coral Gables Congregational Church.

    Bergh completed most of her undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota but received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Chicago Musical College. Her Master of Music degree was awarded by the American Conservatory of Music. She completed additional graduate work at the University of Southern California. Columbia University, Harvard University and the University of Vienna. Her teaching career began as the music supervisor of the public schools of Glencoe, Minnesota, followed by an appointment to the faculty of the University of Minnesota Northwest School of Agriculture from 1912-1914.

    Representative publications:

    • Bergh, Frances Hovey. 1946. Course of Study in Music Appreciation 101 [at the University of Miami]. Coral Gables, Fla.: Parker Art Co.
    • Bergh, Frances Hovey. 1946. Course of Study in Music Appreciation 102 [at the University of Miami]. Coral Gables, Fla.: Parker Art Co.
    • Bergh, Frances Hovey. 1947. Course of Study, Music Literature 201 [at the University of Miami]. Coral Gables, Fla.: Parker Art Co.

  • Thomas C. Collins (1946-1968)

    Thomas C. Collins

    Bassoonist Thomas C. Collins  earned his bachelor's degree (double majoring in music education and chemistry) from the State University of Iowa in 1935 and a masters' in composition in 1936.  He may have known Himie Voxman (BS in Chemical Engineering, 1933, master's degree with a focus in psychology of music, 1934). Collins came to the University of Miami in 1946 as an instructor of woodwinds, with 11 years of public school teaching in Iowa. While teaching at Miami, he earned his PhD from the State University of Iowa in 1950 and Voxman (then director of the music school) served on his dissertation committee. His dissertation was A Survey and Evaluation of the Class Wind Instrument Programs in some Representative Music Teacher Training Institutions, with some Suggestions for an Ideal Course of Study,

    Collins was subsequently named chairman of the department of woodwinds in 1951. In 1956 he was appointed chairman of the department of music education.

    There were no graduate degrees in music at Miami prior to his arrival, but his leadership led to master of music degrees in performance and in music education in 1956. Master’s theses from 1956 to 1960 did not have signature pages, but one can reasonably assume that Collins oversaw them, given his role as the lone music professor on the university-wide graduate college council. Collins became chair of the school's of graduate studies program in 1964. By the time of his death in 1968, he had supervised 29 theses.

    Professor Collins also led in establishing the PhD in Music Education, which was announced in 1967. The first music education dissertation appeared in 1970.

    From 1960-66, Dr. Collins was one of 12 Journal of Research in Music Education Editorial Associates, reviewing scholarly manuscripts for publication with other scholars like James Carlsen, Max Kaplan, Sally Monsour, Frances Andrews, E. Thayer Gaston, and Roger Phelps.

    He also served on the MENC Executive Research Council from 1960-66.

    Representative publications:

    Collins, T C. (1968). A Survey of Music Education Materials and the Compilation of an Annotated Bibliography. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 14(Fall, 1968), pp. 30-35.  https://www.jstor.org/stable/40316977

    Diamond, R. M. and Collins, T. C. (1967). The use of 8mm loop films to teach the identification of clarinet fingering embouchure, and hand position errors. Journal of research in Music Education, 15(3), 224-228. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3343864

    Collins, T. C. (1950). A survey and evaluation of the class wind instrument programs in some representative music teacher training institutions, with some suggestions for an ideal course of study. Music Educators Journal, 38(6), p.42. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3387629

     

1956–1968, Establishing Graduate Degree Programs

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  • Harriett Nordholm (1957-1974)

    Harriett Nordholm

    Harriett Nordholm joined professors Bergh and Collins in 1957 as an associate professor with a specialization in elementary general music. Born in Redwing, Minnesota, she completed her BM at MacPhail College of Music in Minneapolis in 1934 and taught in Redwing from 1934-36, followed by other Minnesota positions in Windom, 1936-40, Montevideo, 1940-41, and Austin, 1941-51. She earned her MM at Northwestern University in 1950 and then shifted her career to positions in higher education at Michigan State University (assistant professor of music education, 1951-56) and Boston University (associate professor of music education, 1956-57) before arriving in Miami, where she remained until her retirement in 1974. 

    Professor Nordholm held significant leadership positions in MENC:

    • Minnesota Music Educators Association president (1949-51)
    • MENC North Central Division 2nd vice-president (1951- 52)
    • MENC North Central Division President (1954-56)
    • MENC Executive board (1954-56)

    The Minnesota Music Educators Association established a Hall of Fame in 1986, naming Harriet Nordholm as one of the first inductees. She authored and co-authored numerous texts for elementary school general music and music teaching.

    Representative publications:

    • Nordholm, & Thompson, C. O. (1949). Keys to Teaching Elementary School Music. Schmitt.
    • Nordholm, & Bakewell, R. V. (1953). Keys to Teaching Junior High School Music. P. A. Schmitt.
    • Cooper, Freeburg, R. E., Imig, W., Nordholm, H., Rhea, R., Serposs, E. H., Plinkiewisch, H., & Hill, H. (1959). Music in our Life. Silver Burdett Co.
    • Nordholm. (1966). Singing in the Elementary Schools. Prentice-Hall.
    • Birchard Opera Series (1966), (24 opera synopses with study guides), Summy-Birchard. 
    • Nordholm, & John, R. W. (1970). Learning Music : Musicianship for the Elementary Classroom Teachers. Prentice-Hall.
    • Nordholm. (1981). Learning Music: Musicianship for the Elementary Classroom Teachers. Prentice-Hall.

  • Ted Crager (1965-1990)

    Ted Crager

    Upon Ted Crager’s retirement in 1990, Dean William Hipp remarked that "Dr. Crager is literally the father of the first music engineering degree in all of higher education. His experience in radio, television, and recording, along with an intense interest in audio, prompted him to develop and establish a four-year curriculum designed to train musicians to become audio engineers. He also was instrumental in the implementation of other unusual interdisciplinary degree programs at the University of Miami including Music Merchandising, Studio Music and Jazz, Musical Theater, Music Therapy, and Studio Writing and Production” (Score magazine, 1990 p. 3).

    Crager joined the Miami faculty in 1965 as an assistant professor of music education. Two years later, he became Associate Dean under William Lee (1967-1982), served as Interim Dean (1982-83), and concluded his career as Associate Dean under William Hipp (1983-1990).

    Prior to joining Miami, Crager served as a music professor at Texas Woman's University (1963-65), where he directed the music education program and supervised student teachers of music. He had previously been a professor and department head at West Texas State (1958-63). His earlier positions included instructor of music at Teachers College, Columbia University; director of bands at Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas; and coordinator of music for the Lubbock public schools.

    Crager received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Texas Technological College. He completed his Master of Arts degree and earned a professional diploma as Specialist in Music Education from Columbia University, where he also received his Doctor of Education degree. His dissertation was titled Suggestions for Group Action in Improving Music Education in the Lubbock Public Schools (1955).

  • Lee Kjelson (1967-1993)

    Lee Kjelsen

    Lee Kjelson served as director of choral activities in the School of Music from 1967 until his retirement in 1993 and was a founding member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). During his 26-year tenure, he directed the university's Chamber Singers and Miami's Civic Chorale. His choirs sang at ACDA conventions, embarked on 21 international tours, performed at Carnegie Hall, and collaborated with prestigious orchestras including the American Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Among his many honors, he received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Miami, was named Music Educator of the Year by the American Music Conference, earned multiple ASCAP awards, and was inducted into the Florida Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. He also chaired the music education department from 1968-1974 and 1980-1983

    He earned his PhD at the State University of Iowa in 1957, and his dissertation was guided by Neal Glenn (who joined him at Miami in 1968): The Development of Two Instructional Films For The Teaching of General Music in the Junior High School.

    In addition to his over 135 choral compositions/arrangements, some representative publications include:

    • Choate, R. A., Kjelson, L., Troth, E. W. (1970). New Dimensions in Music (a six-volume series of songbooks for elementary children). American Book Company.
    • Kjelson. L. R. (1976). Comprehensive Musicianship through Choral Performance.
    • Kjelson, L. & McCray, J. (1985). The Conductor's Manual of Choral Music Literature./li>
    • McCray, J. & Kjelson (1985). The Singer's Manual of Choral Music Literature.

1968–1981, Responding to Change

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  • Neal Glenn (1968-1981)

    Neal GlennNeal Edwin Glenn's appointment as professor of music education and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in fall 1968 likely occurred under urgent circumstances. The unexpected death of Thomas Collins in August 1968 undoubtedly left the music school scrambling to fill the vacancy. Lee Kjelson, who had arrived at Miami in 1967, may have contacted Glenn, his former dissertation advisor at the State University of Iowa. Glenn likely knew Collins, as both had served as Editorial Associates for the Journal of Research in Music Education. It's possible that Himie Voxman, director of the school of music at Iowa and a member of Collins's dissertation committee in 1950, agreed to release Glenn to Miami with the understanding that he would complete his oversight of dissertations in progress through spring 1969. Glenn later chaired the music education department from 1974-1980, succeeding Kjelson.

    Glenn brought considerable experience to Miami:

    • MENC JRME editorial board (1953-1960)
    • MENC Music Executive Research Council (1954-60 and 1962-68)
    • Iowa Music Educators Association President (1964-65)
    • MENC North Central Executive board (1965-66)

    Representative publications:

    • Glenn, N. E. (1948). The Development and Organization of Materials and Methods for Student Teachers of Instrumental Music. (Doctoral Dissertation, Northwestern University)
    • Glenn, N. E. & Turrentine, Ed. M. (1968). Introduction to Advanced Study in Music Education. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown.
    • Glenn, N.E, Wilson, G. H. & McBride, W. B. (1970). Secondary School Music Philosophy, Theory and Practice. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

  • James Fitzpatrick (1969-1978)

    James Fitzpatrick joined the School of Music faculty in 1969 after completing his doctorate at the University of Iowa, where Neal Glenn had co-chaired his dissertation, The Development and Evaluation of a Curriculum in Music Listening Skills on the Seventh Grade Level. Fitzpatrick received his B.S. from Lowell State College and his M.A. from the University of Connecticut. Prior to Miami, he taught in Massachusetts and New York public schools and served on the faculties of the University of Connecticut and Illinois State University. At Miami, he was an associate professor in both the music education and music theory/composition departments. A freelance accordionist, Fitzpatrick died unexpectedly of heart failure on August 11, 1978, at age 45 while performing with the ship's orchestra aboard the Leonardo Da Vinci cruise ship during the summer.

  • John Kinyon (1969-1982)

    John Kinyon

    John Kinyon brought extensive experience in band directing, composing, and commercial music publishing to his position as music education professor at Miami in 1969. Born in Elmira, New York, Kinyon graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1940, working his way through school by playing trumpet in dance bands. After earning his music education degree, he taught band in West Virginia schools before being inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942. Upon leaving military service in 1946, Kinyon settled in Gorham, New York, where he taught instrumental music from 1946 to 1951 while earning his Master of Music degree at Ithaca College. At Gorham, he began writing arrangements and original pieces for developing bands. In 1951, he moved to Pittsford, New York, where he spent ten years as director of the music department, continuing to compose music for young bands. Because so few composers were writing music at this level, he adopted several pseudonyms, including Leroy Jackson, Charles Barrett, and Robert Powers.

    From 1961 to 1968, Kinyon served as educational director of Warner Brothers Music in New York City. In 1968, he composed a series of pieces for Alfred Music Company and worked as a company consultant before joining the Miami faculty. At Miami, he designed and supervised the program in instrumental music education and coordinated instrumental music instruction at West Laboratory Elementary School near the university campus. His 'mini-score' works for band with Alfred Music proved highly successful, prompting him to adopt additional pseudonyms: James MacBeth, Clark Tyler, Dale Lauder, and Cora Gable—the latter names cleverly referencing Fort Lauderdale and Coral Gables, Florida, home of the University of Miami. He retired from the university in 1982.

  • Brian Busch (1979-1986)

    Brian Busch

    The winter 1979 issue of Score magazine announced that “Dr. Brian Busch has been appointed associate professor of music education to fill the position left vacant last year by the death of Dr. James Fitzpatrick. Dr. Busch holds MM and DMA degrees from the University of Oregon and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Oregon State University. He has had extensive teaching experience at the junior and senior high school levels and has served on the faculties of Pacific University, University of Southwestern Louisiana, and Corpus Christi State University.”

    He was appointed Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Admissions in 1982. A choral specialist, Brian and his wife Lee founded BriLee music in 1996 after he had left the university.

    Representative publications:

    • Busch, B. R. (1972). The Polychoral Style: A Translation and Revised Edition of Paul Winter's 'Der Mehrchoerige Stil' with Practical Suggestions for Twentieth Century Performances of Polychoral Works (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Oregon)
    • Busch, B. (1970). Choral practices and conductors in Germany. The Choral Journal10(5), 10-12. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23543047
    • Busch, B. (1979). Twelve-tone activities for the general music class. Music Educators Journal65(7), 42-46. https://doi.org/10.2307/3395631
    • Busch, B. R. (1984). The Complete Choral Conductor: Gesture and Method. Schirmer Books.
    • Busch, B. (1986). Music and Athletics: Fundamentals in Cooperation. NASSP Bulletin70(487), 101-103.

1981–2011, Growing Outreach Programs

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  • J. David Boyle (1981-2000)

    J. David Boyle

    J. David Boyle joined Miami from Pennsylvania State University in 1981, succeeding Neal Glenn, who had started at Miami in 1968—the same year Boyle began at Penn State. Boyle received his degrees from the University of Arkansas (BSE 1956) and University of Kansas (MME 1960, PhD 1968). Prior to Miami, he taught music in the public schools of Cassville, Missouri (1956–59) and Lawrence, Kansas (1960–63), and served on the music faculties at Moorhead State College in Minnesota (1967–68) and Pennsylvania State University (1968–81). At the University of Miami, he chaired the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy (1983–95) and then served as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in Music until his retirement in 2000.

    Boyle’s research interests included the writing of instructional objectives and evaluation of competencies, program evaluation, (particularly of arts programs and comprehensive musicianship), and the psychology of music. He directed 26 dissertations and 4 theses.

    His service to the profession included the the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education and hosting the ISME Reseach Commission seminar in Miami in 1994.

    He is perhaps best known for two co-authored texts (with Rudolf E. Radocy) Foundations of Musical Behavior (5 editions)  and Measurement and Evaluation of Musical Experiences. 

    Other representative publications:

    • Boyle, J. D. (1968). The Effect of Prescribed Rhythmical Movements on the Ability to Sight Read Music (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Kansas)
    • Boyle, J. D. (1970). The effect of prescribed rhythmical movements on the ability to read music at sight. Journal of Research in Music Education18(4), 307-318. https://doi.org/10.2307/3344498.
    • Boyle, J. D., Hosterman, G. L., & Ramsey, D. S. (1981). Factors influencing pop music preferences of young people. Journal of Research in Music Education29(1), 47-55. https://doi.org/10.2307/3344679
    • Boyle, J. D. (1992). Evaluation of musical ability, in Richard Colwell (Ed.) Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning (pp. 247-265), Oxford University Press.
    • Fortney, P. M., Boyle, J. D., & DeCarbo, N. J. (1993). A study of middle school band students' instrument choices. Journal of Research in Music Education41(1), 28-39. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345477
    • Boyle, J. D., Fiese, R. K., & Zavac, N. (2004). A Handbook for Preparing Graduate Papers in Music. Halcyon Press Ltd.

  • Nicholas DeCarbo (1982-2011)

    Nicholas DeCarbo

    A native of Youngstown, Pennsylvania, Nicholas DeCarbo earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Youngstown State University. He taught in Pennsylvania public schools and served as music director/conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra for ten years before earning his Ph.D. in music education from Kent State University in 1981 and joining Miami's music school in 1982. At Miami, he taught conducting and instrumental methods courses and served as Associate Dean of Administration from 1990 to 2011, succeeding Ted Crager. A 2005 recipient of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship, DeCarbo served as FMEA Research Chair and editor of Research Perspectives in Music Education. Among his numerous contributions to the Frost School was establishing and directing the Honor Band Festival for 29 years. DeCarbo and his wife Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo were honored in 2013 with their induction into the Florida Music Education Association Hall of Fame..

    Representative publications:

    • Decarbo, N. J. (1981). The Effects of Conducting Experience and Programed Materials on Error Detection Scores of College Conducting Students (Doctoral Dissertation, Kent State University).
    • DeCarbo, N. J. (1982). The effects of conducting experience and programmed materials on error-detection scores of college conducting students. Journal of Research in Music Education30(3), 187-200. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345085
    • DeCarbo, N. (1984). The effect of years of teaching experience and major performance instrument on error detection scores of instrumental music teachers. Contributions to Music Education, (11), 28-32. 
    • https://www.jstor.org/stable/24127284
    • Fortney, P. M., Boyle, J. D., & DeCarbo, N. J. (1993). A Study of Middle School Band Students’ Instrument Choices. Journal of Research in Music Education, 41(1), 28-32. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345477
    • Fiese, R. K., & DeCarbo, N. J. (1995). Urban Music Education: The Teachers' Perspective: Music Educators Journal81(6), 27-31. https://doi.org/10.2307/3398779

  • Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo (1982-2011)

    Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo

    When Joyce Jordan-DeCarbo completed her doctorate from Kent State University in 1981, the music education profession had not yet embraced early childhood as an important research area. Recognizing that she needed a laboratory to continue her research, Jordan-DeCarbo discovered Lorna Lutz Heyge's Kindermusik curriculum in 1987—a perfect match for her interests. Dean Bill Hipp offered to run the program through the School of Music, and its growth eventually led to collaboration with the Children's Trust, a dedicated revenue source established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County. She ultimately received six grants from the Children's Trust. Her original Kindermusik class evolved into the successful UM MusicTime program, which touched the lives of thousands of area children.

    A former president of the Florida Collegiate Music Educators Association, Jordan-DeCarbo received a Lifetime Membership Award from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and the 1999 Phillip and Patricia Frost Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. In 2013, she was inducted with her husband Nicholas DeCarbo into the Florida Music Education Association Hall of Fame.

    She chaired the department from 1995 until her retirement in 2011.

    Representative publications:

    • DeCarbo, J. A. (1981). The Effect of Same/Different Discrimination Techniques, Readiness Training, Pattern Treatment, and Sex on Aural Discrimination Ability and Singing Ability of Tonal Patterns with Kindergarten Children (Doctoral Dissertation, Kent State University)
    • Jordan-DeCarbo, J. (1982). Same/different discrimination techniques, readiness training, pattern treatment, and sex on aural discrimination and singing of tonal patterns by kindergartners. Journal of Research in Music Education30(4), 237-246. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345297
    • Jordan-DeCarbo, J. (1997). A sound-to-symbol approach to learning music. Music Educators Journal84(2), 34-34. https://doi.org/10.2307/3399067
    • Jordan-DeCarbo, J. & Nelson, J. A. (2002). Music and early childhood education" in Richard Colwell and Carol Richardson (Eds.) The New Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning: A Project of the Music Educators National Conference. (2002). Oxford University Press.

  • Richard Fiese (1995-2000)

    Richard Fiese

    Richard Fiese was appointed associate professor of music education at Miami in 1995, returning to his alma mater where he had earned his MM (1986) and PhD (1989) under Nicholas DeCarbo's guidance. His dissertation was titled An Examination of the Relationship among Conductors' Rankings of the Relative Musical Quality of Three Unfamiliar Wind Band Scores. At Miami, he taught graduate courses in music education, including psychology of music and seminar in music education, as well as undergraduate courses in instrumental conducting. He also supervised associate teachers in the wind, percussion, and string programs at the Henry L. West Laboratory School and provided instruction in string and brass techniques courses. Fiese came to the University of Miami from the University of Houston, where he had served as assistant professor of music education. He left Miami in 2000 to become Associate Professor at the University of Houston School of Music (now Moores School of Music) before serving as Dean at Howard Payne University beginning in 2014. Fiese has served the music education profession in numerous leadership roles, including TMEA Vice-President and College Division Chair, TMEA Research Chair, Florida Music Educators Association Research Chair, Florida Collegiate Music Educators Association President, and National Chair of MENC's General Research Special Research Interest Group.

    Representative publications:

    • Fiese, R. K. (1987). College and university wind band repertoire, 1980-1985. Journal of Band Research23(1), 17.
    • Fiese, R. K. (1990). The effects of nonmusical cues on the rankings of music scores by undergraduate conducting students based on judgements of quality. Journal of Band Research25(2), 13.
    • Fiese, R. K. (1991). The relationship among conductors' rankings of three unfamiliar wind band scores. Journal of Research in Music Education39(3), 239-247.  https://doi.org/10.2307/3344723
    • Fiese, R. K. (1993). An examination of public secondary school band directors' qualitative judgments. Journal of Band Research28(2), 27.
    • Fiese, R. K., & DeCarbo, N. J. (1995). Urban Music Education: The Teachers' Perspective: Music Educators Journal81(6), 27-31. https://doi.org/10.2307/3398779
    • Boyle, J. D., Fiese, R. K., & Zavac, N. (2004). A Handbook for Preparing Graduate Papers in Music. Halcyon Press Ltd.

  • Edward Asmus (2000-2013)

    Edward Asmius

    Edward Asmus was appointed professor of music education and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at Miami in 2000, succeeding J. David Boyle. He received a Bachelor of Music in music education from Ohio State University (1971), a Master of Music in music education from the University of Kansas (1975), and a Doctor of Philosophy in music education from the University of Kansas (1979). His dissertation was titled The Operational Characteristics of Adjectives as Descriptors of Musical Affect. Notably, Don D. Coffman, then a junior undergraduate majoring in music education, had Asmus as his teaching assistant instructor for the Acoustics of Music course.

    Prior to Miami, Asmus taught in Kansas City public schools and served on the faculties of the University of Kansas, State University of New York at Buffalo (1979-1986), and University of Utah (1986-2000). He served on the editorial boards of the profession's most prestigious journals, including the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, and Psychomusicology. From 1998 to 2004, he served as editor of the Journal of Music Teacher Education. He also worked as a consultant to foundations, public trusts, and organizations. Asmus left Miami in 2013 to become Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Georgia School of Music.

    Representative publications:

    • Asmus, E. P. (1985). The development of a multidimensional instrument for the measurement of affective responses to music. Psychology of Music13(1), 19-30.
    • Asmus Jr, E. P. (1986). Student beliefs about the causes of success and failure in music: A study of achievement motivation. Journal of Research in Music Education34(4), 262-278. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345260
    • Asmus, E. P. (1986). Achievement motivation characteristics of music education and music therapy students as identified by attribution theory. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 71-85. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40317969
    • Asmus, E. P. (1989). Factor analysis: A look at the technique through the data of Rainbow. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 1-29.
    • Asmus, E. P., & Harrison, C. S. (1990). Characteristics of motivation for music and musical aptitude of undergraduate nonmusic majors. Journal of Research in Music Education38(4), 258-268. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345223
    • Asmus, E. P., & Radocy, R. E. (1992). Quantitative analysis. In Richard Colwell (Ed.) Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning (pp. 141-183), Oxford University Press.

  • Stephen F. Zdzinski (2002- )
  • Brian Powell (2010- )

2011–present day, Pursuing New Directions

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  • Carlos Abril (2011- )
  • Don D. Coffman (2011- )
  • Corin Overland (2012- )
  • J. Steven Moore (2013-2023)

    Cameron Elliott

    J. Steven Moore brought extensive experience as both an administrator and conductor to Miami with his appointment as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in 2013. He was previously Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Central Missouri (2010-2013). His other higher education experience included positions at Colorado State University, where he served as Associate Professor, Assistant Department Chair (2006-2009), Co-Chair of Graduate Studies, and Director of Bands (2000-2010), and at the University of Kentucky as Director of Orchestra (1998-1999) and Assistant Director of Bands (1982-1986). During his tenure at Miami, he substantially strengthened advising practices for undergraduates and improved retention and graduation rates before retiring in 2023. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky (DMA, MME) and the University of South Carolina (BM).

    Representative publications:

    • Moore, J. S. (2011). Play it From the Heart: What you Learn from Music about Success in Life. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Education.
    • Moore, J. S. (Editor). (2003). Aegean Festival. Boston, MA: E.C. Schirmer Publishing. (critical edition of the original work composed in 1967 by Andreas Makris).

Other Faculty

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  • Music Therapy Faculty

    From 1969-2023 the music education and music therapy programs were housed in the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy.  It was common in the early years to see music therapy professors listed as music education professors on signature pages of dissertations and theses. The faculty in these two programs continue to work together for students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education with an Emphasis in Music Therapy.

    • Charles T. Eagle, Jr. 
    • Wally Ford
    • Melvyn D. Arnold
    • Constance Willeford
    • Clive Muncaster
    • Frederick C. Tims
    • Cathy McKinney
    • Myra Jordan
    • Alan Reitman
    • Shannon K. de l'Etoile
    • Teresa L. Lesiuk
    • Kimberly Sena Moore
    • Yani Trevin Rubio

  • Instructors

    The music education program has relied on instructors from time to time to teach courses or supervise student teachers.  These individuals have included:

    • Howard Doolin
    • Lynne Gackle
    • Joy Galliford
    • James Gasior
    • Otto Kraushaar
    • Lyndon R. Street
    • Sadie Lindenmeyer Told

  • Visiting Faculty

    Visiting faculty have included:

    • Robert Hines
    • George Heller 
    • Stanley Schleuter
    • Lois Schleuter

  • Support Faculty

    Starting with the 1967-1968 UM Undergraduate Bulletin, faculty names appeared in the degree program descriptions.  These names included music education faculty as well as faculty from other areas, such as music history, music industry, and the performance studios.  During the 1990s they were desginated as Support Faculty.  A few of the names include

    • David Alt (Voice)
    • Lucas Drew (Strings)
    • Fred McCall (Band)
    • Alfred Reed (Composition, Music Business)
    • Fred Wickstrom (Musicology)
    • Maxwell Lepper (Keyboard)

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