University of Kentucky Scholar Named President of the Association for Popular Music Education

Martina Vasil, an associate professor of music education at the University of Kentucky, has been elected president of the Association for Popular Music Education. The organization was founded at the College Music Society’s annual Music Education Week in June 2010, held in Washington, D.C. The idea was born out of a desire to “compare notes” for colleges and universities in the field of popular music education. The mission of the organization is to “promote and advance popular music at all levels of education both in the classroom and beyond.”

“I am honored to work with an amazing group of professionals on our current board as we strive to engage and serve our membership to work toward more inclusive practices in popular music education; we want to help ensure that there is space in popular music education for more diverse voices to be heard and amplified.”

Dr. Vasil teaches undergraduate courses in general music methods and graduate courses in music education research and popular music education. She also serves as division coordinator for the department of music education and music therapy, and director of summer music education at the university’s School of Music.  Her primary research interests are popular music education, children’s musical culture, and mentoring practices in music teacher education.

Dr. Vasil holds a bachelor’s degree and doctoral degree in music education from West Virginia University. She also earned a master’s degree in music education from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York.