Katherine Strand is the Dottie Sink Sykes Distinguished Professor of Music Education at the Hayes School of Music, Appalachian State University. Katherine taught K12 choral and general music in urban, rural, and suburban schools and served as the vocal/choir faculty for the Virginia Governor’s School for the Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts. She served on the Editorial Committee and as Academic Editor for the Music Educators Journal, and serves currently on the Editorial Board for the Journal of General Music Education. Her interests include musical creativity, popular music pedagogy, ESL, and teaching for social and emotional learning.

In addition to authoring several chapters and co-editing Musicianship: Composing in Choir (GIA Publications), Katherine has authored multiple book chapters. She has published research articles in the Journal of Research in Music EducationBulletin of the Council for Research in Music EducationJournal of Music Teacher EducationPhilosophy of Music Education Review, and Music Education Researcher and pedagogical articles in the Music Educators JournalTeaching Music, and the Journal of General Music Education as well as state MEA journals.

MEMBER QUOTE

“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.” Mary Oliver

headshot of keynote speaker Pedro Antonio Noguera. 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. Hilton Long Beach in Long Beach, California. September 30 to October 3, 2026. Register today bit.ly/2026MRTE Logos for NAfME Society for Music Teacher Education and Society for Research in Music Education
Let Music Fill My World. The Music Matters Challenge is here. Deadline: May 1. Prizes for individuals $10,000 cash, and for schools $25,000 grant
The Music Education Advocate Podcast logo with host Jazzmone Sutton headshot. Tune in to the latest episodes!