Dr. Laura A. Stambaugh is Assistant Professor and Music Education Coordinator at Rhode Island College. Previously, she served in similar positions at Georgia Southern University and Western Washington University. She taught elementary and middle school bands in New Hampshire for eleven years. Her community outreach includes teaching guitar and world drumming at a Boys and Girls Club, piano lessons for senior adults, and music activities to support the language skills of students with disabilities. Dr. Stambaugh’s book, Music and the Brain for Musicians: Understanding the Research and Getting Involved, was published in 2022.

Her research interests include music and the brain, music motor learning, error detection skills, and special learners. She has presented at local, national, and international conferences. Her publications appear in Journal of Research in Music Education; Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, Psychomusicology, Music Educators Journal, and Teaching Music.

image of Hilton Long Beach hotel with copy 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. Long Beach, California. Call for proposals due February 23, 2026. Logos for Society for Music Teacher Education and Society for Research in Music Education
From Budget to Brilliance: Building Strong Music Programs. 2026 NAfME Music Program Leaders Forum. January 29-30, 2026. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona. Image of Delta Hotels Marriott. Logos for NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders and Arizona Annual State Music Education Conference theme Teaching with Passion, Leading with Purpose
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