CMS December Spotlight - Stefanie Dickinson

Stefanie Dickinson is Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of Central Arkansas. Her primary interests are Liszt’s late experimental music and theory pedagogy. She has presented work on these topics at regional, national, and international meetings and published on them as well, most recently contributing to the award-winning Routledge Guide to Music Theory Pedagogy. She is a dedicated proponent of new music and is the featured collaborative pianist on a CD recording of song cycles by the American composer Karen Griebling on the Centaur label. She holds an undergraduate degree in piano and graduate degrees in piano and music theory. This summer she completed her second transatlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2, an experience she highly recommends.

We recently had the opportunity to reach out to Stefanie to talk about her role with CMS, and we hope you enjoy reading her responses!

Q: How did you begin your involvement with CMS, and what led you to join the CMS National Board?

 Thank You for Allowing Me to Serve Our Society

Moments of transition invite us to reflect upon the steadfast care we’ve received along our journey and upon those close to us who afford space to dream about what’s next. And as such, I’d like to take, in my final newsletter, a moment to thank those who do this work in my life. 

In January 2021, my presidency began amidst stark reminders about the importance of our work as musicians and music educators as we strove to create a more joyful, inclusive, and connected world. A global pandemic shuttered our classrooms and concert halls. The public execution of George Floyd reminded us of the inequities we can witness in society and within our Society. And a divisive election spotlighted what can happen when we decide difference is dangerous. 

CMS launched a repository of resources and a fleet of webinars to help us invent better practices for teaching in a hybrid world. President Eileen M. Hayes championed equity and inclusivity as a hallmark of her leadership, leaving her indelible mark upon our organization as these values became central to our mission. And together, we have shown over and again that we can lead change across our profession and within our communities. 

The College Music Society is excited to announce the implementation of CMS Cohorts, a new initiative that will allow CMS members to connect with one another through shared professional goals, academic affinities, pedagogical initiatives, and career experiences. 

With plans to expand in scope and range of disciplines, the first CMS Cohorts will encompass the following areas of focus:

1. Aspiring Academic Leaders Cohort - The Aspiring Academic Leaders Cohort aims to nurture and prepare future academic leaders with a music focus in higher education. This cohort will focus on professional development, fostering essential leadership skills, and exploring the responsibilities of academic leadership roles. 
2. Early-Career Music Faculty Cohort - The Early Music Faculty Cohort aims to support and empower early-career music faculty members in their professional development. For the purposes of this cohort, “early-career” faculty are defined as those who are within 5-7 years of completion of their terminal degree. This cohort will provide a platform for peer mentorship, networking, and skill-building to navigate the challenges of the early stages of an academic career. 
3. Inclusive Pedagogy Cohort - The Inclusive Pedagogy Cohort aims to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist pedagogy in music education. This cohort will serve as a platform for educators to learn about and discuss inclusive teaching practices, exchange ideas, and collaborate on fostering equitable learning environments. 
4. Music Administrators Cohort - The Music Administrators Cohort aims to create a supportive network for music administrators within The College Music Society. This cohort will focus on addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by administrators in music units, facilitating professional development, and promoting best practices in music administration. 
5. Collegiate Music Student Cohort - The Collegiate Music Student Cohort aims to bring CMS student members together across disciplines to foster conversation and bring attention to timely issues facing students in institutions of music higher education. This cohort will be facilitated by members of the CMS Student Advisory Council.