Karen Salvador
. . . is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Michigan-Flint.
She earned her Ph.D. in Music Education from Michigan State University, where she also completed a master’s degree in choral conducting. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance from Western Michigan University, and post-baccalaureate teacher certification from Olivet College.
At UM-Flint, Dr. Salvador coordinates the Music Teacher’s Certificate Program, teaching courses in music education to both music majors and education majors and supervising teacher candidates. She also teaches early childhood music at the UM-Flint Early Childhood Development Center. Ms. Salvador is an advocate for music education as a part of school curricula, not only because of the public features of music programs--such as performing groups--but also because of what music is and can do for children and adolescents, particularly those at risk of poor school performance.
Dr. Salvador previously taught elementary general music and choir (K-4) in Eaton Rapids, MI. She also taught choir and drama in Palmerston North, New Zealand. During graduate school, Ms. Salvador taught early childhood music at the Michigan State University Community Music School, and worked as school program director for the North American Choral Company in Grand Rapids, MI.
Dr. Salvador’s research pertains to inclusive practices, differentiation of instruction, and social justice in early childhood and school music programs. She serves as facilitator for the Society for Music Teacher Education’s ASPA on Cultural Diversity and Social Justice, and is president-elect of the Michigan Music Education Association. Ms. Salvador also serves on the inaugural editorial board for New Directions: A Journal of Scholarship, Creativity, and Leadership in Music Education.
Dr. Salvador contributed a chapter to the book Music Education: Navigating the Future (Routledge, 2014), and her research appears in journals including Arts Education Policy Review, the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and Music Educators Journal. She has presented research and workshops at conferences across the US, including the International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education, Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, New Directions in Music Education, and the Suncoast Music Education Research Symposium.
Contact information:
126 French Hall, 303 East Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48052
810-762-3377