The University of Washington School of Music welcomes Kelsey Nussbaum as a Visiting Lecturer in the Music Education program in the 2021-22 academic year. She comes to the UW from the University of North Texas (UNT), Denton, where she has served as a graduate teaching fellow in the College of Music since 2018 and where she recently completed her Ph.D. in Music Education, specializing in the experiences and voices of music students from underrepresented populations.
Her recent research has focused on a range of topics including anti-racist pedagogy in high school music ensembles, self-care practices of music educators, workplace climate for LGBTQ music educators in North Texas, and inclusive practices for classroom instruction. She has read papers at national and international conferences on topics of student musicians from racially underrepresented groups, on self-care for musicians, and anti-racist pedagogy. She is the lead author on a forthcoming article about self-care practices of music educators, in the Journal of Music Teacher Education.
Kelsey Nussbaum was hired through a national search for a research-active and experienced music education specialist. Prior to attending UNT, she spent five years as the Fine Arts Department Chair at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas, where she also taught private bass lessons and regularly performed with the Austin, Temple, and Round Rock Symphonies. She has held leadership positions within the Texas Music Educators Association and is a founding member of the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective, an organization offering bass camps and workshops.
At the UW School of Music, she will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in Music Education, a program internationally known for research and practice on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Music Education. “The UW faculty search committee views Kelsey Nussbaum as a scholar and teacher who will be moving her areas of music education to new levels, said JoAnn Taricani, director of the School of Music. “Her work is adding considerably to our understanding of inclusivity in musical experience, and we are eager to see her bring this expertise to our students.”
Professor Patricia Shehan Campbell, program head for Music Education, remarked: "We’re delighted to have Dr. Nussbaum on faculty with us this year, given her fine work as a string bass player, public school strings teacher, and research-active scholar on matters of music education and social justice.”