Executive Board
Julie Derges, PhD
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Julie Derges, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and the Division Head of Music Education at the University of Houston. At UH, she teaches undergraduate courses in elementary and secondary general music methods and graduate courses in music education research and pedagogy. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her master’s and doctoral degrees in music education at Michigan State University. Prior to entering higher education, she taught PreK-6 general music and choir in the Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia and early childhood music classes at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. and the MSU Community Music School.
Dr. Derges’ research interests include informal and popular music learning and music teacher professional development. Her work has been published in several journals, including the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education, and Music Educators Journal, and she has publications in three books: Oxford Handbook of Social Media and Music Learning, Oxford Online Handbook of Assessment in Music Education, and Learning from Young Children: Research in Early Childhood Music. Additionally, Dr. Derges has presented her both nationally and internationally and remains active as a clinician and music teacher. |
Mark Montemayor, Ph.D.
President-Elect |
Mark Montemayor is an associate professor in the music education division of the University of North Texas College of Music, where he teaches instrumental methods and graduate courses in research and curriculum. Previously, he was Professor of Music and head of music education at the University of Northern Colorado. His research work includes matters related to the cognitive psychology of music instruction, with particular focus on teacher evaluation, musical modeling, conductor expressivity, and music teacher education. His research is published the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education,the Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Psychology of Music, and he is the lead author of World Music Pedagogy, Volume IV: Instrumental Music Education (Routledge, 2018). He has served on the Editorial Committee for JRME and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, and he was the chair of the Learning and Development Special Research Interest Group for NAfME.
Dr. Montemayor previously taught music at Gig Harbor High School in Gig Harbor, Washington. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied saxophone and music education, and he earned Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at the University of Washington. |
Jacqueline C. Henninger, PhD
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Dr. Jacqueline C. Henninger is the Associate Director for Performance, Education, and Applied Studies and an Associate Professor of Music Education in the School of Music at Texas Tech University. In addition to serving on the Executive Board for NAfME-Texas, she is also the Board Advisor for the Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE). At Texas Tech University, Dr. Henninger fulfills a variety of administrative duties, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, and advises master and doctoral level examinations, projects, theses, and dissertations. Her research is focused on two academic areas, teacher preparation and multicultural music education, and has been presented at state, regional, national, and international conferences. Her publications have appeared in the following journals: Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Band Research, Texas Music Education Research, Global Music and Culture: Intersections and Inclusion, Texas Music Educators Conference (TMEC): Connections, and TRIAD. In addition to her activities as an educator and a scholar, Dr. Henninger continues to enjoy working with public school students, prospective music educators, and music practitioners as a guest adjudicator, clinician, conductor, lecturer, and panelist on local, national, and international levels.
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Emily McGinnis, Ph.D.
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Dr. Emily McGinnis is a Professor of Practice in Music Education at the University of Houston where she teaches Introduction to Education in Music, Student Teaching Seminar, and graduate-level music education courses. McGinnis was previously a member of the music education faculty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, adjunct faculty at both the University of Houston and San Jacinto College, and a university supervisor for student teachers from UMKC, Missouri State University, and Luther College. Additional career highlights include Director of Band positions in Kansas and Illinois, teaching early childhood music classes, conducting a New Horizons Band for senior adults, and teaching private lessons. Her research on undergraduate music education curriculum, life-long music making, and experiences of women brass players has resulted in publications and presentations at regional, national, and international levels. McGinnis is also active as a performer, primarily in the brass band genre. She has played cornet and tenor horn with the internationally renowned Fountain City Brass Band, the all-female Athena Brass Band, and the Houston Brass Band. Originally from Freeport, IL, McGinnis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and PhD and MME degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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John Parsons, PhD
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Dr. John Parsons (PhD, MM Music & Human Learning and BM Music Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) joined the TTU School of Music faculty as an Assistant Professor of Music Education in August 2021. Prior to this appointment, he served as Assistant Professor of Music Education at Ithaca College from 2020–2021. Dr. Parsons is passionate about his work as a teacher trainer, leading undergraduate courses in woodwind and brass methods as well as ensemble pedagogy, and serving as a field supervisor for student teachers.
As a researcher, Dr. Parsons’ work is centered on the intersection of attentional focus and motor control in the context of music learning and performance. He has co-authored and presented work at the Clifford K. Madsen International Symposium for Research in Music Behavior, the International Symposium on Performance Science, the National Association for Music Education and the Texas Music Educators Association annual conferences, and recently published work in the Journal of Research in Music Education. Prior to his graduate work, Dr. Parsons served as a high school band director for 10 years (Westlake High School/Eanes ISD; Hendrickson High School/Pflugerville ISD), teaching a wide array of students and ensembles including wind bands, orchestras, marching band and jazz ensembles. Dr. Parsons is a member of the International Society for Music Education, the National Association for Music Education, the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. |
Zachary Edwards
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Zachary Edwards is currently a DMA student at the University of Houston pursuing a major in music education and a minor in applied percussion. He also serves as teaching assistant for "General Music in Elementary & Secondary Schools." Previously, Zach taught at KIPP CONNECT Primary School where he was the general music teacher, choir director, and Orff ensemble director. During his time with KIPP, he also served as the primary music regional content lead for KIPP Texas-Houston and the student growth and achievement assessment writer for KIPP Texas. Zach holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he graduated cum laude with honors, and a master's degree in music education from Tarleton State University where he graduated as the fine arts department's outstanding graduate student for his graduating class. In addition to his position as state director of NAfME-Texas, Zach has also previously held the positions of treasurer and member at large for the Texas Gulf Coast Orff Association. Zach is certified in the Kodály and Orff-Schulwerk approaches and frequently performs as a free lance percussionist in the Houston area.
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Committee of Chairs
Michelle DeVall
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Michelle DeVall is currently an Assistant Band Director at Kealing Middle School in Austin, Texas. Under her direction, the Symphonic Band has earned top ratings at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations. Prior to moving to Texas, Mrs. DeVall was the Director of Bands and Guitar at Three Oaks Middle School in Fort Myers, Florida. She has served in various leadership positions including: the Executive Board for the Florida Music Educators Association, the Florida Bandmasters Association Solo and Ensemble Committee, and the Lee County School District (Florida) Advisory Council. Mrs. DeVall received a Master of Music and Human Learning Degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Florida State University.
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De'Evin Johnson
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De’Evin Johnson is a first year teacher and Choir Director at Ridge Point High School in Fort Bend ISD where he is the Rookie Teacher of the Year. He served as President of the Texas State ACDA Student Chapter and presented at the 2017 National ACDA Conference. Mr. Johnson also served as the Production & Development Assistant for the Grammy®-winning internationally recognized choir, Conspirare. In addition to his leadership with NAfME-Texas he is a founding Board Member of YOUnity Playground, and serves on the TCDA Leadership Committee.
Mr. Johnson received a Master of Music- Choral Conducting from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor of Music- Music Studies from Texas State University. |
Shauna Satrom Pickens, Ph.D.
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Dr. Shauna Satrom Pickens is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas Tech
University, where she teaches courses in music education and serves as a field supervisor for student teachers. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where she served as Coordinator of Music Education and Director of the Master of Music in Music Education program. Prior to her higher education positions, she served as a middle school band director in Pflugerville, TX for almost 10 years. As a researcher, Dr. Pickens’ work is focused on teaching music in low-SES urban and rural communities, music teacher preparation, and instrument preferences of children. She has presented her research at the National Association for Music Education conference, the Symposium for Music Teacher Education, and the TMEA conference. She has also co-authored articles published in Update: Applications for Research in Music Education and Texas Music Education Research. Dr. Pickens earned her Bachelor of Music in trombone performance from Texas Tech University, Master of Music in trombone performance from Southern Methodist University, and PhD in Music Education from Texas Tech University. |
Erika Knapp, Ph.D.
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Erika J. Knapp is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of North Texas, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education. She holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from Michigan State University and specializes in elementary education, music for special learners, and inclusive practice. Her scholarly and research interests include teacher professional development, antiracist music education, culturally sustaining and ability-responsive practices, and students with disabilities. Knapp has published research in Music Education Research, Arts Education Policy Review, International Journal of Music Education, Action, Criticism and Theory in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, The Orff Echo, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education.
Dr. Knapp is an Orff Pedagogy teacher for AOSA and teaches levels courses across the United States. An active presenter and guest clinician, Dr. Knapp has shared her scholarship and passion for teaching at both national and international venues, where she focuses on inclusive practice and empowering educators to create active, joyful musical experiences for their students while being responsive to the needs of the individual community they serve. Knapp serves on the Editorial Board for The Orff Echo and is a digital mentor for novice teachers through AOSA. |
Laura Bock
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Laura Bock is currently a 2nd year PhD student in the Music and Human Learning department
at The University of Texas at Austin. As a young musician, Bock grew up in central Maryland where she was an active member of her high school band and orchestra programs. She completed a double concentration in Music Education and Flute Performance at James Madison University and a master’s degree in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. From 2011-2015, Bock taught 5th and 6th grade band at Walker Upper Elementary School in Charlottesville City Schools and served as the District XIII representative to the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association. Between 2017 and 2022, Bock was the Assistant Band Director at Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas as well as its associated elementary and middle school feeder schools where she worked with students in Grades 5-12. She was recognized as the 2020-2021 Outstanding Young Music Educator for eastern central Kansas. Bock enjoys working with a variety of students across different musical content areas and age levels. |