Annie is currently ABD and working on two research projects as a PhD candidate at the University of Iowa that explore the nexus between creative musicianship, cultural inclusiveness and the skill set required by the current music industry. The first, “String Teacher Perspectives on Non-traditional Ensembles and Classes”, is a concurrent mixed methods design that sought to identify what non-traditional courses and ensembles are being offered by string educators, what skills are being taught in them, and what courses they would like to offer, Annie presented this with her co-author, Dr. Adam Harry, at the SMTE Online Conference on September 25, 2021 and is in the process of sending the accompanying article to music educator journals for acceptance for publication.
Her second research project is called, “Director Perspectives on Barriers to Racial Equity in the Orchestra Classroom” and is a qualitative interview design that explores the barriers that students face in attaining access to instrumental string music classes and a comparison of the racial demographics within these string programs to the racial demographics of associated public school buildings.
Annie is in the process of writing a dissertation that will examine the barriers that keep music teachers from offering nontraditional courses and ensembles in their schools.
She regularly presents and collaborates on clinics, workshops, and panels is available to present her research and experience in these areas upon request.
