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Amalia Allan
The South Carolina School of the Arts
The South Carolina School of the Arts
Assistant Professor of Music Education
aallan@andersonuniversity.edu
(864) 231-5542
140 Springdale House
Academic Background
Amalia Allan is an Assistant Professor of Music Education and teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses. Certified in all three levels of Orff Schulwerk, Dr. Allan is an elementary specialist who has taught music to children of diverse abilities in the public schools, a private school for children with sensory processing disorders, an autism center, and private lessons. She is a passionate researcher whose work focuses on inclusion in music education, and she has shared her findings at the regional, national, and international levels.
BM in Music Education, State University of New York at Fredonia
BM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, State University of New York at Fredonia
MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Southern Methodist University
Ph.D in Music Education, Florida State University
Fast Facts
There is something special about AU that sets it apart from the other institutions to which I applied. Most people I speak with agree that when you set foot on this campus and interact with the people here, you feel something different. I know where it comes from, and think it is mediated by the hospitality and genuine kindness of most people on this campus—faculty, staff, and students.
Music has a unique power to touch lives and unite people across cultures and backgrounds. By being a music educator, a person is not just teaching notes and rhythms—they are providing students with the tools for emotional expression, perseverance, creativity, and teamwork—traits that can be transferred to other areas of our lives.
I recently conducted a study with children with exceptionalities in the Amazon region of Bolivia, South America. In the process, the children shared a musical performance with people of their community. This was a novel and touching experience for everyone involved, and I hope it makes a difference for inclusive music education at the international level.
Working with all my students! Seeing them grow and succeed encourages me to keep going.
My primary teaching experience is with elementary/general music and my specialty has become teaching students with exceptionalities. After teaching music for seven years in the public schools, I went on to be the music teacher at a private school for children with sensory processing disorders and an autism center. I have taught piano lessons to people of all ages and abilities for 17 years in various states and conducted children’s choirs in Texas.
My publications can be found in the Florida Music Director, Journal of General Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. I’ve also written a chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Special Music Education and Music Therapy and have additional manuscripts in progress.
