Erika J. Knapp

Erika J. Knapp, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas Woman’s University, specializing in early childhood, elementary education, and music for diverse learners. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Austin College, two master’s degrees from Central Michigan University (choral conducting and music education), and a Ph.D. in music education from Michigan State University. Before her career in higher education, she taught elementary general music, secondary general music, and middle school choir for 13 years in Michigan.

An active presenter and guest clinician/conductor, Dr. Knapp has shared her scholarship and passion for teaching at national and international venues, where she focuses on inclusive practice and empowering educators to create active, joyful musical experiences for their students. She is an Orff Pedagogy teacher for the American Orff Schulwerk Association and teaches levels I and II courses across the United States. Dr. Knapp serves on the editorial boards of Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education and The Orff Echo. She also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several other journals. Additionally, Dr. Knapp is on the TMEA College-Level DEIA committee and is the program chair for the 2026 Early Childhood Music and Movement Association international conference.

Her scholarly and research interests include music for students with ability differences, teacher professional development, equity in music education, and student belonging. Knapp has published research in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Music Education Research, The International Journal of Music Education, Arts Education Policy Review, Action, Criticism and Theory for Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education, Psychology of Music, Music Educators Journal, Visions of Research in Music Education, The Orff Echo, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. She also has several forthcoming book chapters.

When she is not teaching or researching, Dr. Knapp enjoys cooking and traveling with her family.