FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2016
Alden Snell, II, Appointed to Music Education Faculty at the Eastman School of Music
ROCHESTER, N.Y.— Alden Snell, II, has been appointed to the faculty of the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester as Assistant Professor of Music Education beginning in the fall of 2016. Dr. Snell has been an Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education at the University of Delaware. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, where he graduated summa cum laude and was awarded the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. He then earned Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in music education from the Eastman School of Music, where he was awarded the prestigious Donald J. Shetler Prize, given to an outstanding doctoral student in music education.
According to Christopher Azzara, Professor of Music Education and Chair of the Music Education Department, “We are pleased to have Alden Snell joining our faculty. With his scholarship, musicianship, and understanding of music teaching and learning, Alden will make important contributions to our department and to the entire Eastman School community.”
Dr. Snell taught instrumental music to students in all grade levels in the Hilton (NY) and Kendall (NY) Central School Districts, including service as K-12 Director of Music in Kendall. While teaching in public schools, he earned early childhood and instrumental music certifications from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML).
Dr. Snell’s research interests include teacher musicianship, generative creativity, and music teacher professional development. He is co-editor of Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Instrumental Music, and is lead or co-author of research studies published or recently accepted for publication in the Bulletin of the Council of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Research Studies in Music Education. Dr. Snell maintains an active schedule presenting at local, state, national, and international conference venues, including the Ninth International Research in Music Education Conference in Exeter, England.
Dr. Snell states, “As a musician, it was a dream come true to earn two graduate degrees at the Eastman School of Music. To return as a member of the faculty is a high honor and a privilege. My family and I are excited to return to Rochester!”
Dr. Snell’s research interests include teacher musicianship, creativity, and music teacher professional development. He has presented research and professional development sessions at a variety of state, national, and international conferences. In his doctoral dissertation research, Dr. Snell explored instrumental music teachers’ perceptions and definitions of creativity in instrumental music education.
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