Large enough to offer great teaching and learning, yet small enough that our students matter, the Music Theory Pedagogy program at SMU offers one of the best opportunities nationwide to sharpen your skills as a Music Theory teacher. Our faculty focus is to mentor students in the pursuit of teaching excellence!
Senior Lecturer in Music Theory and Composition,
Co-Chair of Music Theory and Composition
Senior Lecturer in Music Theory
Senior Lecturer, Music Theory
Master of Music in Theory Pedagogy
Throughout their course of study, theory pedagogy students gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience under the guidance and supervision of a dedicated faculty with many years of experience teaching music theory at the secondary and college levels. Students have the opportunity to work with small undergraduate classes in music theory and musicianship as individual and small-group tutors, classroom assistants, and instructors. All student teaching is carefully supervised, observed and evaluated by experienced faculty.
Admission is very selective for the theory pedagogy degree program, and students are offered considerable individual attention, direct access to facilities and the camaraderie that only an exceptional program of small size can offer. Students wishing to look into the distinctive opportunities for study at SMU are encouraged to apply early.
Applicants for the Master of Music in Theory Pedagogy must apply to the Meadows School of the Arts and submit samples of their writing (essays or term papers). A personal interview with department faculty is strongly recommended.
All undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for academic merit and artistic scholarships by applying to SMU and to Meadows. View additional information on the undergraduate financial aid and scholarship process here.
Graduate financial assistance is available through merit scholarships, graduate assistantships and work-study positions. The FAFSA is required for work-study and graduate assistantships.
Emily Townsend is a viola teacher and freelance musician in Dallas, Texas.
Uriah Rinzel, Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Composition and Songwriting, Dallas Baptist University
Nathan Courtright, Adjunct Assistant Professor, SMU
Derrick Horne, Professor of Practice, SMU
Berklee College of Music Valencia alumnus
2 Intel Game Awards
First prize for best film music: California Independent Film Festival and Indie Gathering International Film Festival
Telly Award for best commercial music
Chicago Opera Theater's Vanguard Emerging Composer-in-Residence
Composition fellow with LA Philharmonic Orchestra
Winner - Tennessee Valley Music Festival Young Composers Competition
Music performed by: Mostly Modern Orchestra, Euclid Quartet, Aperture Duo, and members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Winner of The American Prize for her SMU Masters thesis Submerged Worlds (Pierrot ensemble)
First prize in the 2013 Japan Guitar Ensemble Composition Competition
First prize winner of the Austin Classical Guitar Society Composition Competition
Performance at the 2021 International Horn Symposium by members of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
ASCAP Morton Gould Award finalist
International Trombone Festival Composers Workshop
