Melissa Slawsky
Tel: (856) 629-7696
Email: mmaccarelli@hotmail.com
KEY SKILLS
- A passion for teaching, consulting, and research
- Piano Instruction in the private, group, and higher-education setting
- Instruction of music theory, music history, and general music appreciation at the collegiate level
- Incorporation of traditional and modern approaches to teaching music theory and technology
- Artistic performance of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century piano repertoire
- Collaborative arts including chamber music as well as instrumental and vocal accompanying
- Qualitative and quantitative research skills
EDUCATION
August 2011 Doctor of Philosophy, Music Education University of South Florida -Tampa, FL
-Emphasis on piano pedagogy, increasing relevance in music education, and teacher support/mentorship
-Awarded a graduate fellowship in music education
Dec. 2006 Master of Music, Piano Pedagogy University of South Florida - Tampa, FL
-Concentration in performance, pedagogy, and technological advancements in music education including distance-learning
platforms
Dec. 2002 Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance Florida Southern College - Lakeland, FL
-Graduated summa cum laude and performed Franz Liszt's Concert Study No.3, 'Un Sospiro' at commencement ceremony
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1996-present Piano Instructor, Central and South Florida areas; Williamstown, NJ
-Harnessed the enthusiasm & developed the musical skills of students ranging in age from three to mature adult
-Individually tailored curriculum and teaching style to the needs of each student
2010-2011- Post-Graduate Fellow in Piano Pedagogy, The New School for Music Study - Kingston, NJ
-Observations and guided teaching of the Frances Clark method of piano pedagogy
-Instruction of repertoire class as well as private and group lessons
2006-2007 Adjunct Professor, University of Tampa - Tampa, FL
-Instructed group piano and Music Fundamentals courses within the Department of Music
-Adapted course curricula to accommodate music majors and non-musicians
2007 Adjunct Professor, International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa, FL
-Instructed Keyboarding and Music Theory courses within the Recording Arts Department
-Adapted the music theory curriculum to meet the needs of musicians in the 21st century
2003-2006 Piano Instructor, The Band Room - Orlando, FL
-Instructed twenty piano students on a weekly basis in a private piano setting
-Assisted owner-operator in establishing a non-compete clause for independent contractors
1999-2002 Piano Instructor, Florida Piano Conservatory - Altamonte Springs, FL
-Facilitated a dynamic cooperative learning environment in a state-of-the-art electronic piano lab
-Incorporated demonstration, instruction, and hands-on interactive learning for students individually, in specific groupings, or
all at once
RELATED EXPERIENCE
2007-2008 Business Manager, Music Education Research International - Tampa, FL
-Served as liaison between editor and authors for online refereed journal through the University of South Florida
-Prepared submitted journal articles for confidential review of journal referees
-Prepared brochures and programs for various regional music education conferences and events
2000-2002 Orchestra Librarian, Florida Southern College Dept. of Music - Lakeland, FL
-Created a database system for orchestral library materials
-Aided in purchasing, acquisition, and rental of orchestral works
-Saw to needs of director and peers
OTHER SKILLS
* Proficient in MS Office, graphic design, basic web-design, and music notation software
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Grant writing
* Public Relations, identifying target audiences, writing ad copy, utilizing modern social media outlets
*Qualitative and quantitative research skills
*Music and academic librarianship
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
-"Learning to Teach: The Facilitative Role of Piano Pedagogy Coursework in Piano-Teacher
Preparation" Paper to be presented at the 2011 National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy,
July 27-30, 2011
- Slawsky, M. (2011). Transitioning from student to teacher in the master-apprentice model of piano
pedagogy: An exploratory study of challenges, solutions/resources, reflections, and
suggestions for the future [Doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, 2011].
-Slawsky, M. (2011 in press). Learning to teach: The facilitative role of pedagogical coursework in piano teacher preparation.
Proceedings of the National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy, Lombard: Chicago, (in press).
-"The Applied Music Teacher's Transition into the Teaching Role"
Presented at the Florida Music Educators Association Clinic-Conference, January 14, 2011
-"Transitioning from Student to Teacher in the Master-Apprentice Model of Piano Pedagogy"
Presented at the GP3 Group Piano & Piano Pedagogy Conference, August 6, 2010
-"Musical Expression: In the Ears or Eyes of the Beholder?"
Poster presented at the Suncoast Music Education Research Symposium, FL 2009
-"A Multicultural and Multimusical Approach: A Key to Relevance in Music Education"
Paper presented to the Center for Music Education Research, FL 2008
-"Teaching Musical Expression"
Paper presented to the Mid-State Music Teachers Association, FL 2008
RESEARCH ENDEAVORS
-Piano Pedagogy
-Teacher support and mentorship
-Increasing Relevance in Music Education
-Music Psychology and Cognition
-Music Librarianship
-Curriculum Design
ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
--Selected paper presenter, National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy (2011)
-Tuition scholarship, The National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy (2011)
-Piano Adjudicator, South Jersey Music Teacher Association (SJMTA) Fall Festival- 2010
-Post-graduate fellowship in piano pedagogy, The New School for Music Study- 2010-2011
-Conference presentation grant, University of South Florida- 2010
-MTNA Certification in Piano Pedagogy, 2009
-University of Miami Graduate Teaching Assistantship- 2008-2009
-University of South Florida Graduate Fellowship- 2007-2008
-Music Education Research International, Business Manager 2007-present
-Orlando Music Club, 2005-present
-Music Teachers National Association- 2006-present
-University of Central Florida Symphony, August 1998-May 2000
-Florida Southern College Orchestra, September 2000-December 2002
Violinist, orchestra librarian
-Jack Houts Memorial Scholarship for Music Performance Excellence- May 2001
-Gayle Sperry Memorial Scholarship for Music- May 2000
-Jack Williams Memorial Scholarship for Music- May 1999
-Summer Study Abroad, Moulin D'Ande, France- Summer 1999
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
-Center for Music Education Research (CMER), University of South Florida
-Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
-National Association for Music Education (MENC)
-College Music Society
-Suzuki Association of America
-Music Library Association