CSU Music student at Spur

Recent graduate Paul Beyer reflects on his first year teaching music

Recent graduate Paul Beyer reflects on his first year teaching music We recently connected with Paul Beyer, who graduated from CSU with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2023. Paul reflected on his first year teaching elementary and middle school music in Colorado. Tell us a little about your job–where you teach, the […]


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Phuong Nguyen has built a classroom culture around high standards and making music fun

Phuong Nguyen has built a classroom culture around high standards and making music fun Dai-Phuong Nguyen (B.M.E. ’01, M.M.E. ’08) is a perfectionist as a performer of multiple instruments and genres and a music educator. He has created a classroom environment that balances high standards, curiosity, and interactive play. His range of musical interests is […]


Denver West High School

Hollie Ryckman embraces multiple cultures and student-led approaches in her Denver classroom

Hollie Ryckman embraces multiple cultures and student-led approaches in her Denver classroom Hollie Ryckman, M.M. in Music Education ’20 Many CSU music education graduates expand upon normalized approaches to music pedagogy to accommodate their students’ needs and interests. Denver music teacher Hollie Ryckman is part of this transformative movement. Ryckman’s teaching philosophy embodies a belief […]


Jana Webster Wheeler

Jana Webster-Wheeler’s experiences were a catalyst for teaching music and more

Jana Webster-Wheeler’s experiences were a catalyst for teaching music and more Jana Webster-Wheeler in her music classroom at Webber Middle School in Fort Collins, Colorado. As a woman with a rich history who has turned her trauma into a wellspring of wisdom, Jana Webster-Wheeler, B.M.E. ’00, has used her difficult experiences to teach so much […]


2024 SMTD Wellness Week Promotional Flyer Pictured

School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Host 2024 Inaugural Wellness Week

The School of Music Theatre and Dance hosted an inaugural Wellness Week, April 8th – 12th. Hosted by SMTD’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) committee, this week-long event included a plethora of activities designed to increase mindfulness, self-care, and community building. Staff, students, faculty, and community partners collaborated to provide opportunities for discussion, reflection, and […]


Promotional Photo for Hannah Steward CSU Music Major

Music major Hannah Steward accepted to National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute

Hannah Steward, a Colorado State University first-year trombone performance major, was one of sixty exceptional young musicians accepted to the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute. Steward was excited to see her selection email from The Kennedy Center, especially given the large number of applicants. “Dr. Leslie made a difference just encouraging me to […]


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CSU Music Education Alums and Family Treated to Mozart’s Masterpiece

CSU Music Education alums and family were treated to a reception and matinee performance by the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Symphony Chorus at Boettcher Concert Hall on Sunday, March 24. Peter Oundjian conducted W.A. Mozart’s final and greatest masterpiece, Requiem Mass. A principal conductor with an international career, Oundjian has led orchestras in major musical […]



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Erik Johnson to present at International Society of Music Education world conference

In July 2024, Associate Professor of Music Erik Johnson will co-present a paper at the 36th annual International Society of Music Education World Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The presentation, titled “Music Teacher Identity Over Time: The Impact of Musical Experiences and Teacher Philosophy,” is one of only eight papers accepted for the empirical research category […]


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Kathryn Harms is harpist for the Central City Opera

Kathryn Harms will be the Principal Harp of Central City Opera for the coming season. The Colorado State University instructor of music recently accepted a one-year substitute contract for the position. Ms. Harms often appears with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Spring Philharmonic, and Opera Southwest, and was previously acting principal harpist with the New Mexico […]