Teaching+Deaf+and+Hard-of-Hearing+Musicians

Abstract

provided me, not only as my thesis director, but as someone who is invested in the betterment of his students on all accounts. Thank you for your patience, advice, and unwavering faith in my future success. Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to my defense committee, Drs. Gooding, VanWeelden, and Springer. Your knowledge and expertise were immensely helpful in this process, and this thesis would not be possible without your willingness to contribute your time and energy.I want to thank each participant involved in my study. This research would, quite literally, not exist without you. I am deeply appreciative of your willingness to be vulnerable, honest, and share your unique perspective with me. Your contributions will be paid forward in the form of future student success. I would also like to recognize my close friends and family who have provided unending support throughout the duration of this long process. You boosted my morale, allowed me to cry on your shoulders when I needed it, and believed in me when I did not believe in myself.To my professors and colleagues at the College of Music: you are always among the first to celebrate my accomplishments -thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders. To the faculty and staff of the Colorado Children's Chorale: I am forever indebted to you. Your efforts in helping raise me in my youth and granting me incredible musical experiences gave me hope for my future; I hope I have made all of you proud. To my high school choir director, Kirk Schjodt: the education that you provided me is one of the primary reasons why I am pursuing this profession. Words cannot explain how appreciative I am of you, and I would not be here today without you.Lastly, I want to thank all the Deaf / hard-of-hearing students who are actively pursuing involvement in musical experiences. I am aware that it is highly unlikely that you will ever read this, but this is all for you. I hope that this research enables you to have a positive experience with music and that you believe in your abilities just as much as I do. v Author's NoteThis research began in my first year of college when I was enrolled in a state -mandated English class. We were asked to pick an issue within our major and/or desired career path and write a five-page essay about it. I chose the topic "Special Music Education", and my passion for equitable access to music education was born. I loved my topic so much that my paper ended up being twenty-two pages in length (in which I am extending a formal apology to my teaching assistant, Gbenga Adesina, who had to grade this paper), and I was immensely proud of the final product. Little did I know of what the future had in store for me.Flash forward to my second year, where I took it upon myself to receive special permission to take Dr. Lori Gooding's graduate-level music therapy course on Music in Special Education. While my paper from the previous year was primarily about funding and impact, this course was about legal considerations and methodology, opening my eyes to the...