Experience

University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Instructor

  • Jan 2020 - Present



University of Minnesota

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Instructor

  • Mar 2010 - Present

  I develop and teach courses for adult learners on the health benefits of music, the psychology and sociology of our responses to music, and 20th-century American popular song. My courses include: "The Amazing Power of Music" (focusing on the positive physiological, psychological, and spiritual effects of music); "Music, the Mind, and Human Nature" (about the ways in which music shapes our individual and group identities, and our relationships); "The Great American Songbook" (about the classic body of American popular song; in the most recent version, I focused on African American and women songwriters and performers.); "Music as a Lifelong Community Builder" (how music helps people create community, across the lifespan and across cultures);"Music of the English Renaissance" (highlighting music from England's Tudor period, 1509-1603)"Music as a Healing Force Throughout History" (the use of music in healing rituals and medical practice from ancient times to the present, across cultures);"Latin American Influences on American Popular Song";"The Musical Brain, the Spiritual Brain, and Where They Meet";"History of the Blues";"Children of the Blues" (12 classic jazz, rock, and soul albums with strong roots in the blues);"Troubled Geniuses and Joyful Spirits: Music and Mental Health" (in development for Fall 2014) Show less

• Course Developer and Instructor

  • Mar 2010 - Present

• Instructor

  • May 2011 - May 2011

  I created and taught a six-hour version of my course on music, the brain, and wellness, titled "Music: Healer of Mind and Body." We covered effects of music on the brain, and resulting positive changes in psychological and physiological state, and how this informs our understanding of music's healing potential for people with mental, neurological, and/or physical illnesses and disabilities.



Community Education organizations

• Twin Cities Metro Area

• Independent Teacher

  • 2009 - Present

  I teach courses on music and healing, and on 20th-century American popular song, for community education organizations in the Twin Cities area, including: -- Hopkins Community Education -- Edina Community Education -- Robbinsdale-New Hope Community Education -- St. Louis Park Senior Program -- ISD 728 (Elk River Area), Active Minds (55 years +) program -- Prior Lake Area Schools Science Night Live (for students in grades 3-12) I teach courses on music and healing, and on 20th-century American popular song, for community education organizations in the Twin Cities area, including: -- Hopkins Community Education -- Edina Community Education -- Robbinsdale-New Hope Community Education -- St. Louis Park Senior Program -- ISD 728 (Elk River Area), Active Minds (55 years +) program -- Prior Lake Area Schools Science Night Live (for students in grades 3-12)



Golden Living Center - Hillcrest of Wayzata

• Visiting Musician

  • 2006 - Oct 2022

  I perform music on the recorder for residents and staff at Hillcrest of Wayzata, a wonderful senior residence west of Minneapolis, once or twice a week. I generally play popular & jazz standards from the early to mid-20th century, which most of the residents recognize and love from their youth. Many of the residents and staff have told me the music has therapeutic effects on them, and I love playing for them! I perform music on the recorder for residents and staff at Hillcrest of Wayzata, a wonderful senior residence west of Minneapolis, once or twice a week. I generally play popular & jazz standards from the early to mid-20th century, which most of the residents recognize and love from their youth. Many of the residents and staff have told me the music has therapeutic effects on them, and I love playing for them!



St Louis Park Schools

• Volunteer Music Appreciation Teacher

  • 2002 - Oct 2022

  Once a month during the school year, I visit a couple of first- through third-grade classrooms in St. Louis Park's primary schools for a half hour each, teaching the students about a great classical composer and his or her music. The kids get to hear about the composer's life, we listen to one of their compositions, and I lead the kids in a fun activity, such as dancing to the music or drawing pictures related to what they hear. We all have a LOT of fun with these sessions! Once a month during the school year, I visit a couple of first- through third-grade classrooms in St. Louis Park's primary schools for a half hour each, teaching the students about a great classical composer and his or her music. The kids get to hear about the composer's life, we listen to one of their compositions, and I lead the kids in a fun activity, such as dancing to the music or drawing pictures related to what they hear. We all have a LOT of fun with these sessions!



Jones-Harrison Residence

• Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Presenter/Guest Speaker

  • Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

  I am creating and giving a series of talks for residents and staff on various aspects of music, including music and health, and classic American popular song. I am creating and giving a series of talks for residents and staff on various aspects of music, including music and health, and classic American popular song.



Jade Foundation of Minnesota

• Volunteer Webmaster & Fundraiser

  • 2000 - Nov 2012

  The Jade Foundation makes grants to other small Minnesota nonprofits that help children with disabilities or other special needs. I have been honored to help them in this mission as a volunteer, managing their website and spearheading small annual fundraising projects. I also followed up with grant recipients to learn how Jade grants have helped their young clients, and post these reports on our website (please see www.jadefoundationmn.org/results.htm). In 2009, I had the special joy of bringing my love of music into my work with the Jade Foundation, in planning a concert with my music coach to celebrate the Foundation's 10th anniversary! Show less



University of Minnesota

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Researcher

  • 2008 - 2010

  I worked with my former Ph.D. adviser (and now esteemed colleague) Dr. William Bart on a review of the literature concerning how to promote critical thinking in K-12 students with disabilities. We feel strongly that this issue needs more attention from educators and researchers, and expect to conduct our own original research on promising methods of helping students with disabilities realize their full potential in critical thinking. I worked with my former Ph.D. adviser (and now esteemed colleague) Dr. William Bart on a review of the literature concerning how to promote critical thinking in K-12 students with disabilities. We feel strongly that this issue needs more attention from educators and researchers, and expect to conduct our own original research on promising methods of helping students with disabilities realize their full potential in critical thinking.



University of Minnesota Learning & Academic Skills Center

• Teaching Associate

  • 1993 - 1997



University of Minnesota

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Premajor Adviser

  • Aug 1996 - Sep 1996

  Assisted incoming University students in selecting appropriate coursework and registering. Provided students with guidance in adjusting to University life, choosing a major field, and remaining successful academically. Assisted incoming University students in selecting appropriate coursework and registering. Provided students with guidance in adjusting to University life, choosing a major field, and remaining successful academically.