davidpotter
music educator
about
welcome
I am currently the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Wisconsin – Superior. Before entering higher education, I taught K-5 Music for six years in Memphis, Tennessee.
As a graduate of Eastman (BM ’08), Crane (MM ’11), and Michigan State University (Ph.D. ’20), with 20 years of experience directing ensembles inside and outside of school, my publications and presentations have primarily focused on policy and improvisation.
philosophy
Creativity.
Collaboration.
Musicianship.
In an increasingly connected world where musical experiences intersect with countless meanings and identities, I believe that creativity, collaboration, and musicianship are more important than ever. Consequently, I believe that music education should be student-centered, feedback-driven, affirmative, and rooted in high expectations.
honors
UWS Faculty Development Grant 2021
UWS Max H. Levine Award Nominee 2021
RCAH Fellowship 2019-2020
SMTE David J. Teachout Graduate Student Scholarship 2019
Council of Graduate Students Professional Development Award 2018-2019
TNMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award 2016
Levi Elementary Teacher of the Year 2015
work
| (In)visible Power: A Critical Policy Analysis of EdTPA 2021 | In this study, I used critical policy analysis to examine the history and policies associated with edTPA in music education. This study also was awarded the David J. Teachout Graduate Student Scholarship and was published in Arts Education Policy Review. |
| Music Teacher Perceptions of Evaluation: A Case Study of the Tennessee Fine Arts Portfolio Model 2021 | Currently in press with Arts Education Policy Review, this study examined the perceptions of two music teachers regarding the two different means of teacher evaluation (student test scores and TNFAPM) used within the state of Tennessee. Themes included administrative support, feedback, authenticity, and scores. |
| A Content Analysis of Music Teacher Student Learning Objectives in Michigan 2021 | Together with Dr. Ryan Shaw, we examined 35 student learning objectives submitted by music teachers across the state of Michigan and found most to be performance-based and notation-based, while musical creativity and response were almost completely absent. Our work can be found in the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. |
| “How are You?” Centering Student Voices in Music Education 2021 | In my first Wisconsin School Musician article as chair of the Wisconsin Society for Music Teacher Education, I present the case for music teaching and learning that prioritizes student narratives and experiences in the development of assessments, particularly in the area of music teacher education. |
| Music Teacher Education and edTPA: A Case Study 2020 | For my published dissertation, I used critical policy analysis as a lens for investigating how a music teacher education program implemented the edTPA. |
media
From Resting Tone to Chord Roots: Readiness for Improvisation
In July of 2021, Dr. Cynthia Crump Taggart and I presented activities from our upcoming book at the International Conference on Music Learning Theory that focused on three facets of readiness for improvisation: Audiating resting tone, learning chord roots by rote, and performing chord roots from audiation.
CONNECT-ing the Curriculum
Presented at the Michigan Music Conference, I offered best practices for implementing the create, respond, and connect standards in music, challenging participants to engage with standards as processes that encourage student creativity and agency in a low-risk environment.
MUS 463: Come Play the Music
I have taught a class to non-music majors for three semesters called MUS 463: Methods and Materials of Elementary Music. In this video, I am introducing students to an Orff-based approach by teaching them a song I arranged and involving them in the development of an orchestration with classroom instruments.
MUS 177: Standards in (Music) Education
In this video, I am working with a group of students in MUS 177: Principles of Music Education I. The purpose of the lesson was to engage students in a discussion about music standards, what they are, who developed them, when they were developed, where they are used, and why they are used.
MUSED 383: Pete the Cat
This video was developed as a project with the students in MUSED 383: Teaching Elementary School Music. The video was later used in tandem with the Future Teachers Association as a way to interface with children during COVID.
Turn the World Around
Teaching in Memphis was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Having arranged this together with my students, this video shows them sharing an arrangement of Harry Belafonte’s “Turn the World Around” at the Board of Education. They also performed this piece with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
contact
Want to connect?
I love to discuss all things music, education and policy, so feel free to get in touch.
Phone: 585-354-5687
Email: