Kelsey Nussbaum

Dr. Kelsey Nussbaum joined the faculty of University of Arizona School of Music as an Assistant Professor of Music Education in Fall 2022. At UA, she teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework in music education, mentors graduate students, and is Director for the UA String Project. She is a string bassist and Texas-native. Prior to joining the UA faculty, she taught at the University of Washington and spent five years teaching secondary string orchestra in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Nussbaum pursues an active research agenda that explores institutional, structural, and societal barriers which may be impacting student access at all levels of music education. One ongoing line of inquiry examines how high-stakes competition creates barriers for music teachers and students. Her research has been presented at national and international conferences and published in prominent music education journals. Nussbaum remains an active clinician, annually presenting regularly at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) national convention and state conferences. Dr. Nussbaum is dedicated to professional service, serving on the Nation String Project Consortium Board and as a member of the ASTA Collegiate Committee.

Recent Publications

Tucker, O. G., Adams, K., & Nussbaum, K. (2024). Large Group Performance Evaluation in the United States. Journal of Research in Music Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224294241281825

Nussbaum, K. (2023). “Failing in spite of wonderfulness”: High-stakes ensemble adjudication in low-income schools. Research Studies in Music Education, 45(2), 315–328. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X211054384

Chappell, E. W., & Nussbaum, K. (2023). Who Has Access to Strings? Description of Public Schools With Orchestra Programs in Texas. String Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/19484992231195009