MEET THE TEAM
The Team
Elizabeth Palmer
Founder & Primary Investigator
Elizabeth Palmer, D.M.A., holds degrees in music technology from Susquehanna University (BA), music education from Towson University (MS) and University of Southern California (DMA). She is an adjunct professor in the Music Department at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Residential College Coordinator at University of Southern California. Her background is in K-12 instrumental music and curriculum writing.
Dr. Palmer is the founder of Modern Maestro, Inc., a non-profit offering enrichment programs. professional development, and fiscal sponsorship for for school-based music programs. Her research focuses on social and cultural capital, social justice, and culturally relevant/responsive pedagogies. Dr. Palmer’s research has been presented at international and domestic conferences and is published in Update: Applications of Research in Music Education.
Jason Vodicka
Co-Investigator
Jason Vodicka, D. M. A. is Associate Professor of Music Education at Westminster Choir College, a division of Rider University’s Westminster College of the Arts, where he teaches courses in music education and conducts the Chapel Choir. He is also conductor of the Westminster Vocal Institute and the Westminster Conservatory Youth Chorale. Dr. Vodicka’s scholarly work focuses on the application of critical pedagogy and Music Learning Theory in the choral music setting.
Tina Huynh
Co-Investigator
Tina Huynh, D. M. A. is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Puget Sound. She holds degrees in music education from California State University, Long Beach (B.M.) and the University of Southern California (M.M., D.M.A.). Dr. Huynh has been active in California and Washington in preK-tertiary levels through private and public institutions and community organizations. Her current research interests center on underrepresented communities such as Vietnamese American children and refugees. Dr. Huynh has presented her work nationwide and is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Early Childhood Music (formerly Perspectives), and Music & Science.
Christine D'Alexander
Co-Investigator
Christine D’Alexander, D.M.A. is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Northern Illinois University. She holds degrees in viola performance from Arizona State University (BM) and music education from the University of Southern California (MM, DMA). She has been an active music educator both in California and Illinois, establishing and directing multiple orchestral programs for youth. Her research focuses on children’s participation in community youth orchestras and the integration of music programs within under-resourced communities. Her work has been presented in multiple platforms throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. She serves as a Commissioner for the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Community Music Activity (CMA), and Co-Chair for ISME’s Music Education for Social Change Special Interest Group.
Lisa Crawford
Co-Investigator
Lisa Crawford, D.M.A., has taught music in a variety of K-16 environments currently serving as Lecturer of music composition, music production, choral arts, and rock band at Geffen Academy at UCLA. Crawford serves at the state level as the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) as Creating and Composition Representative, adjudicates annual NAfME composition festivals, and is Treasurer of College Music Society Pacific Southwest Chapter. Published by the International Society of Music Education, Routledge, CMEA Magazine, Oxford University Press, Crawford has journal publications, book chapters, and conference sessions related to educators and composing in all musical environments with K-16 students, singing and cultural understanding, and elder memories of singing. Crawford has served on the founding committee of Casting a Wider Net, the Canadian research team, Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS), Palmer Research Group research on culturally relevant and responsive music teaching, and serves on the board of Institute for Composer Diversity. Crawford holds a Bachelor of Music in composition from University of Oregon, M.M., Music Education and M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction, and teaching credential from University of the Pacific, and earned her doctorate at University of Southern California in the areas of choral arts, composition, statistics, and college teaching.