Wendy Matthews

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Dr. Wendy K. Matthews is an Associate Professor of Music Education at Kent State University. She holds degrees from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland-College Park, and George Mason University. Prior to joining the faculty at Kent State University, Dr. Matthews led the music department at Northern Virginia Community College as Assistant Dean and directed the Alexandria Campus Band, Orchestra, and Chamber Winds. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses and conducted ensembles at Georgetown University, University of Maryland, George Mason University, and Wayne State University. She is the recipient of the WSU College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts Teaching Award, Ph.D. Academic Award for the Outstanding Dissertation from the George Mason University College of Education and Human Development, and the Graduate Student Research Award (Studying and Self-Regulated Learning SIG) of the American Educational Research Association. Her college ensembles have performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage; DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.; the Michigan Music Conference; and the 2013, 2014, and 2015 International Trumpet Guild International Conferences. Additionally, Dr. Matthews taught elementary and secondary school instrumental music in Virginia and Maryland.

Dr. Matthews' research interests include oral histories of the first women brass players in professional orchestras and military bands, research in self-regulation, group dynamics in large ensembles, and various topics in music teacher education. She is the co-author of “Basic Conducting Techniques” (Seventh Edition) published by Routledge Music. She has published in numerous journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, International Journal of Music Education, Journal of Band Research, College Music Symposium, Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, Research and Issues in Music Education Journal, The International Journal of Educational and Psychological Assessment, and the International Trumpet Guild Journal. Dr. Matthews has presented research, professional development, and historical sessions at national and international conferences throughout the world including Symposium on Music Teacher Education Conferences, International Society for Music Education World Conferences, the National Association for Music Education Conference, College Music Society Conferences, and the American Educational Research Association as well as numerous state and collegiate conferences including TMEA, OMEA, KMEA, CASMEC, NCMEA, and MMC. 

Dr. Matthews is in demand throughout the world as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, most recently conducting in New Delhi, India for the American Schools Honor Band. Additional engagements have included the 257th Army Band (the "Band of the Nation's Capital"), American School Band Director Association Honor Band-Ohio Chapter, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District XVI and III, and the New Music in Brass Reading Session at the International Women in Brass Conference. Dr. Matthews has served as an adjudicator for the International Susan Slaughter Solo Brass Competition and the National Trumpet Competition, as well as the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, Festivals of Music, and Music in the Parks.

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