Biography
Dr. Michael Alsop is an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Music Education Coordinator at the University of Louisville. He teaches student teaching seminars and graduate courses in research methods and learning theories. In this position he coordinates underclassmen practicum experiences, places and supervises student teachers in both the BME and MAT programs, and helps advise the UofL Collegiate NAfME chapter. Dr. Alsop was previously Lecturer of Music Education and Athletic Bands at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Dr. Alsop completed his PhD in Music Education at the University of Georgia, where he taught and assisted with elementary, secondary, and instrumental methods courses, observed and guided student teachers, and assisted faculty with administrative needs. While at UGA, he received the Director’s Excellence Award from the school of music and the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the university. Dr. Alsop earned prior degrees in music education from the University of Louisville (M.M.E.) and DePauw University (B.M.E.).
Prior to graduate school, Dr. Alsop taught middle and high school band and general music in Brazil, Indiana. Under his direction, the North Clay Middle School 7th and 8th grade bands received gold ratings at each appearance at the Indiana State School Music Association organizational contest. In the marching arts, Dr. Alsop has worked with several Indiana state finalist and champion bands, as well as a Bands of America 3A national champion and grand national finalist band. He has worked on the brass and visual staffs of three world class drum and bugle corps, most recently with Phantom Regiment. Each summer he co-teaches the Smith Walbridge Marching Band and Section Leader Clinic and clinics with regional marching bands in the fall.
Dr. Alsop’s research interests include the research-practice gap in music education, student motivation in elective music settings, and qualitative research methodologies. He is published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, International Journal of Music Education, Qualitative Research in Music Education, and several national and regional practitioner journals. Dr. Alsop has served on regional and national committees, including for the Kentucky Department of Education and National Association for Music Education. He is a member of NAfME, Kentucky Music Educators Association, National Band Association, the Society for Music Teacher Education, and the Society for Research in Music Education. He was inducted into the Omicron Chapter (DePauw University) of Pi Kappa Lambda.