Dr. Shelley M. Sanderson

Associate Professor of Music Coordinator of the Music Education Program - Fine Arts

(706) 379-5236

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Dr. Shelley M. Sanderson, a native of Warner Robins, GA, joined the Young Harris College Department of Music faculty in the fall of 2015. Before teaching on the collegiate level she was Director of Choirs for middle and high schools in the middle Georgia area.   While a K-12 teacher she musically directed and conducted multiple musicals and ran a private voice studio since 2006. Dr. Sanderson is an active researcher, clinician, and adjudicator. She has been published in the Florida Music Director and The 5th, 6th, and 7th International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education, and presents regularly at NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conferences and GMEA In-Service Conferences. Her research interests include Assessment in Music Education, High School Musical Theater Instruction, and Music and the Exceptional Learner. Dr. Sanderson was awarded the David Wilmot Prize for Excellence in Music Education (2014), while at the University of Florida and was the vocal winner for the Georgia College and State University Aria/Concerto Competition (2010). She loves staying connected to K-12 music programs by judging for GHSA Literary Competitions, Guest conducting Honor Choirs, and adjudicating LGPE.

Dr. Sanderson coordinates the Bachelor of Music Education program and teaches multiple Music Education courses, including, Introduction to Music Education, Voice Methods, Secondary Music Methods, and Elementary Music Methods. She also has an Applied Voice studio and teaches on the rotation of Performance for Musical Theatre. She is also the advisor for the Collegiate National Associate for Music Education (CNAfME) chapter at YHC. Dr. Sanderson loves seeing her students grow into confident and dynamic educators and performers during their time at YHC. When she is not teaching or researching, she loves spending her time with her husband James, and daughter Sofia at the beach or Walt Disney World. She also loves her time singing in the professional Georgia women’s choir, Lux.

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