Contents
Education
The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas; Doctorate of Musical Arts, August 1998; Music Education/Piano Pedagogy
Rice University , Houston, Texas; Master of Music, May 1993; Piano Performance
University of Central Arkansas , Conway, AR; May 1990; Bachelor of Music Education
Teaching
Work Experience
Higher Education
| 2017– | Kingston University, UK | Senior Lecturer in Music Education |
| 2016-2017 | Canterbury Christ Church University, UK | Lecturer in Music Education |
| 2010-2016 | University of London, Institute of Education, London, UK | Research Associate |
| 1999-2010 | Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH | Associate Professor |
| 2008-2009 | University of London, Institute of Education, London, UK | Visiting Research Associate |
| Fall 2001 | Jimei University, Jimei, Xiamen, P.R. China | Foreign Expert in Piano Teaching |
| 1998-1999 | Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), Bloomington, IL | Visiting Assistant Professor |
| 1997-1998 | Western Illinois University (WIU), Macomb, IL | Instructor of Music |
| 1994-1997 | The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX | Assistant Instructor |
| 1993-1994 | The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX | Teaching Assistant |
| 1990-1993 | Rice University, Houston, TX | Graduate Assistant |
Studio and Group Pre-College Teaching
| 1988-present | Independent Studio |
| 1999-2008 | BGSU Creative Arts Program, Bowling Green, OH |
| 1997-1998 | Western Illinois University Preparatory Piano School, Macomb, IL |
| 1997-1998 | Texas Summer Music Academy, Austin, TX |
| 1996-1997 | The Isley Elementary School, Austin, TX |
| 1994-1996 | St. Austin\'s Elementary School, Austin, TX |
| 1994-1995 | University of Texas-Austin Piano Project |
University Courses Taught
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Group Piano
- Undergraduate Group Piano Courses
- Undergraduate Piano Pedagogy I
- Undergraduate Piano Pedagogy II
- Undergraduate Piano Pedagogy Practicum
- Graduate Piano Pedagogy Practicum
- Graduate Group Piano Pedagogy
- Graduate Piano Pedagogy I
- Graduate Piano Pedagogy II
- Directed Research in Music Performance
- Coordinator of Group Piano: Supervise the instruction of five graduate assistants and two part-time staff members; manage the purchase and maintenance of two piano laboratories used for the 10-12 sections of group piano per semester
Jimei University, Jimei, Xiamen, P.R. China
- Applied Piano
- Group Piano
Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), Bloomington, IL
- Applied Piano for Majors
- Keyboard Basics (group piano)
- Music Theory and Aural Skills I
Western Illinois University (WIU), Macomb, IL
- Piano Pedagogy I and II
- Practicum in Piano Teaching I and II
- Provisional and Class Piano Levels I- IV
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
- Beginning Performance: Group Piano for Music Majors
- Fundamentals of Music: Piano for Nonmajors
Rice University, Houston, TX
- Group Instruction in Piano
- Applied Piano for Nonmajors
Master's Thesis: Advisor
| Spring 2002 | Michelle Compton | A Guide for Portfolio Assessment in the Undergraduate Music Major Piano Class |
| December 2005 | Jeff Weaver | The Role of Goals and Practice Steps in Piano Practice Assignments |
| August 2006 | Emily Rock | Professionalism and the Independent Piano Teacher: A Collective Case Study |
| August 2008 | Sarah Tu | Observation and Evaluation of Two Composer-Teachers of Pre-College Piano |
| August 2009 | Rachel Mauricio | An Investigation of the Retention of Keyboard Skills of Non-Piano Music Majors at the Collegiate Level |
Thesis or Document Committee: Member
| Spring 2003 | Stacey Barelos | Dual Degree Project, “Phobia” - A Set of 8-12 Solo Piano Pieces |
Master's Piano Pedagogy Workshop: Advisor
The Workshop is a final project requirement for graduate students pursuing the Master of Music in Performance/Pedagogy.
| April 2009 | Christopher Narloch | Use of Group Teaching in US Community Music Schools |
| April 2009 | Kristi Shey | Comparison of Two Approaches to Teaching Preschool Piano |
| August 2009 | Rachel Mauricio | An Investigation of the Retention of Keyboard Skills of Non-Piano Music Majors at the Collegiate Level |
| April 2009 | Pam Klueck | Trends in Piano Pedagogy: A Content Analysis of Piano Pedagogy Dissertations |
| August 2008 | Sarah Tu | Observation and Evaluation of Two Composer-Teachers of Pre-College Piano |
| December 2005 | Jeff Weaver | The Role of Goals and Practice Steps in Piano Practice Assignments |
| Spring 2003 | Fiona Christano | Memory and Performance: Developing Aural Memory for a Better Performance |
| Spring 2003 | Emily Ko | How to Teach Articulations |
| Spring 2003 | Nelly Valkanova | The Teaching Repertoire of Bulgarian Composers |
| Spring 2003 | Erin Bonski | Review of Research Literature on Sight-reading |
| Spring 2000 | Bryan Boyce | Integrating Theory and Aural Skills into the Group Piano Curriculum |
| Spring 2000 | Melanie Ferneau | Enhancing Elementary Music Experiences through Group Piano Activities |
| Spring 2000 | Katie Fang | Pedagogical View of Group Teaching in the Yamaha Education System |
Graduate Faculty Representative on a Doctoral Committee
| Summer 2002 | Jasmine Renner | Ed.D. | Leadership Studies. An analysis of the knowledge levels of Ohio's post-secondary educators in public/state, private and two-year colleges and universities regarding copyright ownership of web-based/on-line courses and materials. |
External Faculty Representative on a Doctoral Committee
| Completed May 2010 | Lin Meichang | Ph.D. | Principal themes and intellectual structure of research in piano pedagogy: The mapping of doctoral research 1978-2008. Hong Kong Baptist University. |
| Completed May 2010 | Margaret Young | D.M.A. | The importance of functional piano skills for professional musicians. The University of Texas at Austin. |
Research
Research Publications
Hagen, S., Cremaschi, A., & Stephens-Himonides, C. (in press). Effects of extended practice with computerized eye guides for sight-reading in collegiate-level class piano. Journal of Music, Technology and Education.
Welch, G., Himonides, E., Saunders, J., Papageorgi, I., Vraka, M., Preti, C., Stephens, C. (2009). Researching the second year of the National Singing Programme in England: An ongoing impact evaluation of children's singing behavior and identity . London: International Music Education Research Centre Press. [ISBN: 978-1-905351-10-7]
Hagen, S., Benson, C., & Cremaschi, A. (2007). A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Types of Software Eye-Guides in the Development of Sight-Playing Skills in Piano Classes at the College Level. Journal of Technology in Music Learning.
Benson, C. & Fung, V. (2005). Comparisons of teacher and student behaviors in private piano lessons in China and in the United States. International Journal of Research in Music Education , 23(1), 63-72. Benson, C. & Fung, V. (2004). Comparisons of teacher behaviors prior to student success and non-success in Private Piano Lessons in China and in the United States. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 161/162 , 29-37.
Duke, R. & Benson, C. (2004). Steering from the caboose: Setting the pace of group piano instruction according to the least skilled students in the class. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education , 23 (1)41-53.
Benson, C. & Fung, V. (2004). Comparisons of teacher behaviors prior to student success and non-success in private piano lessons in China and in the United States. In Tafuri, J. (Ed.). (Proceedings) Research for Music Education: The 20th Seminar of the ISME Research Commission (pp. 22-30). International Society for Music Education.
Benson, C. (2003). The effects of focused observation on novice teachers' self-evaluation of piano instruction. Texas Music Education Research Online [Online serial], 2003. Available: www.tmea.org/080_College/Research/Ben2003.pdf.
Benson, C & Fung C.V. (2003). Comparisons of teacher and student behaviors in private piano lessons in China and in the United States. In Yip, L.C.R., Leung, C.C., & Lau, W.T. (Ed), Symposium of the Asia-Pacific Society for Music Education: Curriculum Innovation in Music (pp. 46-50), Hong Kong: Department of Creative Arts, The Hong Kong Institute of Education.
Benson, C. (2002). The effects of instructional media on group piano student performance and attitude. Journal of Technology in Music Learning, 1 (2), 38-55.
Benson, C. (1998). The effects of audio versus audio-visual mode of presentation on self-evaluations of piano performance. Illinois Music Educator, 59 (1), 64-66.
Benson, C. (1996). The effects of audio and audio-visual presentations of student piano performances on self, teacher, and judge evaluations. Texas Music Education Research . Austin, TX: Texas Music Educators Association.
Benson, C. (1995). Student and teacher evaluations and overall perceptions of student piano performance. Texas Music Education Research . Austin, TX: Texas Music Educators Association.
Articles
Benson, C. (2005). What aspects of teaching rhythm are the most difficult for your intern teachers? Keyboard Companion, 16 (2), 36-37.
Benson, C. (2003). How do you deal with students whose learning styles do not match your own? Keyboard Companion , 14 (1), 36-37.
Benson, C. (2001). In synch: Practical realities of setting up internship teaching and observation experiences for pedagogy students. Piano Pedagogy Forum[Online serial] , 4 (1). Available: http://www.music.sc.edu/ea/Keyboard/PPF/4.1/ 4.1.PPFintern.html.
Benson, C. (2000). Achieving individual and group success. Piano Pedagogy Forum[Online serial] , 3 (1). Available: http://www.music.sc.edu/ea/Keyboard/PPF/ 3.1/3.1.PPFgp.html.
Benson, C. (1999). How do you know your students are learning under those headphones? Keyboard Companion , 10 (1), 46, 48.
Benson, C. (1999). Integrating technology into piano classes. Roland Keyboard Educator, 3 (1), 5, 8.
Research Presentations (Refereed)
Hagen, S., Benson, C. & Cremaschi, A. A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Types of Software Eye-Guides in the Development of Sight-Playing Skills in Piano Classes at the College Level. July 2008. International Conference of International Society of Music Education, Bologna, Italy. April 2008. National Conference of Music Educators National Association, Milwaukee, WI.
Benson,C. (February 2008). Observation and Evaluation of Student Piano Practice and Teacher Responses. Research Poster Session, State Conference of the Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio, TX.
Benson, C., Chin H.L., Donald, S., Kirchner, J. Rhoden, L . (2007) Looking inside the box: Observation of student practice and teacher responses . Research Poster Session. National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Chicago, Illinois.
Benson, C & Miralis, Y. (April 2007). Observation and Comparison of Teaching Strategies and Practices of Piano Teachers in Cyprus and the United States . Fifth International Research in Music Education Conference, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK.
Hagen, S., Benson, C. & Cremaschi, A. (March 2007). A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Types of Software Eye-Guides in the Development of Sight-Playing Skills in Piano Classes at the College Level. National Conference of Music Teachers National Association. Toronto, Canada.
Hagen, S., Benson, C. & Cremaschi, A. (November 2006). A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Types of Software Eye-Guides in the Development of Sight-Playing Skills in Piano Classes at the College Level. Joint national conference of the Association for Technology and Music Instruction and College Music Society. San Antonio, TX.
Duke, R., Benson, C, & Goins, K. (March 2006). Setting the Pace of Group Piano Instruction According to the Least Skilled Students in the Class - A Replication and Case Study of Teacher Behavior. National conference of the Music Teachers National Association, Austin, TX
Hagen, S. & Benson, C. (November 2005). Preference for Eye Guidance in Computer-Aided Sight Playing at the Piano . Joint national conference of the Association for Technology and Music Instruction and College Music Society. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Benson, C. (July 2005). The Effects of Focused Videotape Self-Observation on Novice Teachers' Self-Evaluation of Piano Instruction . International conference of the Fifth Asia Pacific Symposium on Music Education Research. Seattle Washington.
Duke, R., Benson, C, & Goins, K. (July 2005). Setting the Pace of Group Piano Instruction According to the Least Skilled Students in the Class - A Replication and Case Study of Teacher Behavior. International conference of the Fifth Asia Pacific Symposium on Music Education Research. Seattle Washington.
Benson, C. (June 2005), Why Won't This Student Learn? State conference of the Texas Music Teachers Association, San Antonio, Texas.
Benson, C. The Effects of Electronic Portfolio Assessment on Student Piano Performance Achievement and Attitude. April 2005. The Fourth International Research in Music Education Conference, University of Exeter, Exeter, England.
• February 2005. State conference of the Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio, Texas.
• January 2005. State conference of the Florida Music Educators Association, Tampa, Florida.
Benson, C. (November 2004). The effects of e-portfolio assessment on student piano performance, achievement, and attitude. E-Poster session presented at the national conference of Association for Technology in Music Instruction, San Francisco, CA.
Benson, C. & Fung, V. (July 2004). Comparisons of teacher behaviors prior to student success and non-success in private piano lessons in China and in the United States . Paper presented at the 20th Seminar of the International Society for Music Education Research Commission. Las Palmas, Spain.
Benson, C. & Fung, V. (July 2004). Comparisons of teacher behaviors prior to student success and non-success in private piano lessons in China and in the United States . Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Music Education, XXVIth International Conference. Santa Cruz, Spain.
Benson, C. & Fung, V.
Comparisons of teacher and student behaviors in private piano lessons in China and in the United States.
• (April 2004). Poster session presented at the annual conference of the Music Educators National Conference. Minneapolis, MN.
• (March 2004). Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Music Teachers National Association. Kansas City, MO.
Benson, C. (February 2004 ). Improving piano instruction through observation and evaluation. Paper presented at the state meeting of the Texas Music Educators Association State Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Benson, C. (January 2004). The effects of focused observation and videotape self-observation on novice teachers' self-evaluation of piano instruction . Poster session presented at the state meeting of the Florida Music Educators Association, Tampa, FL.
Benson, C. (October 2003). Is technology an effective teaching tool? Paper presented at the national conference of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction, Miami, FL.
Benson, C. (October 2003). The effects of synchronized and non-synchronized music software on student achievement in sight-reading . E-Poster session presented at the national conference of Association for Technology in Music Instruction, Miami, FL.
Benson, C. & Fung, C.V. (July 2003). Comparisons of teacher and student behaviors in private piano lessons in China and in the United States . Paper presented at the Fourth Asia-Pacific Symposium in Music Education Research, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Benson, C. (February 2003). The effects of focused observation on novice teachers' self-evaluation of piano instruction . Poster session presented at the state meeting of the Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio, TX.
Duke, R. & Benson, C.
Steering from the caboose: Setting the pace of group piano instruction according to the least skilled students in the class
• (August 2002). Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Music Education, XXV International Conference, Bergen, Norway.
• (April 2002). Poster session presented at the annual conference of the Music Educators National Conference, Nashville, TN.
Benson, C
. The effects of classroom instructional media on group piano student performance
.
• (March 2001). Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Music Teachers National Association, Washington, D. C.
• (February 2001). Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Ohio Music Educators Association, Columbus, OH.
Benson, C. (March 2001). Are students learning with technology ? National Conference of the Music Teachers National Association, Washington, D. C.
Benson, C. (February 2001). The effects of technology in music instruction: A review of literature . Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio, TX.
Benson, C.
Effects of instructional media on group piano student performance achievement and attitude
.
• (July 2000). Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Music Education, XXIV International Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
• (March 2000). Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Music Educators National Conference, Washington, D.C.
• (January 2000). Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Ohio Music Educators Association. Cleveland, OH.
• (January 1999). Poster session presented at the annual meeting the Illinois Music Educators Association, Peoria, IL.
Benson, C. (March 2000). The effects of audio versus audio-visual mode of presentation on self-evaluations of piano performance . Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Music Teachers National Association, Minneapolis, MN.
Benson, C. & Donald, S. (June 1999). Forms and function of feedback: Using technology in teacher feedback. State conference of the Texas Music Teachers Association, San Antonio, TX.
Benson, C. (January 1998). The effects of audio versus audio-visual mode of presentation on self-evaluations of piano performance . Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois Music Educators Association, Peoria, IL.
Benson, C. (February 1996). The effects of audio and audio-visual presentations of student piano performances on self, teacher, and judge evaluations . Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio, TX.
Geringer, J. & Benson, C. (November 1995). Effects of entertainment and performance music videos on preference and attention of high school and college listeners . Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the National Association of Music Therapists Conference, Houston, TX.
Benson, C. (February 1995). Student and teacher evaluations and overall perceptions of student piano performance. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio, TX.
Presentations - National and International (Invited)
Stephens Himonides, C. (January 2009). Mapping the Landscape of Piano Teaching and Learning. Music Special Interest Group Seminar, Institute of Education, University of London, UK.
Benson, C. (July 2007). Musical Development of Students with Special Needs: Principles and Strategies . Fifth Summer Academy Piano Pedagogy Workshop. Corfu, Greece.
Benson, C. (July 2006). Teaching Efficient and Effective Practice Skills. Summer Academy Piano Pedagogy Workshop. Ionian University. Corfu, Greece.
Benson, C. (August 2004). Assessment in group piano. Panel member. Biennial meeting of the National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum, Cincinnati, OH.
Benson, C. & Tollefson, M. (March 2004). Conceptual teaching and lesson planning for group instruction. Workshop presented at the national conference of the National Music Teachers Association, Kansas City, MO.
Tollefson, M., Benson, C., Donald, S., Price, S. & Ybarra, M. (July, 2003). What's going on there: Systematic observation of student practice . Paper presented at the national conference of the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Chicago, IL.
Benson, C. (August 2002). Across the spectrum: Class piano proficiency requirements . Panel member. Biennial meeting of the National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum, Cincinnati, OH.
Benson, C. (December 2001). The use of technology in music instruction in America . Jimei University, Xiamen, P. R. China.
Benson, C. (November 2001). Achieving student success . Paper presented at the First Sharing Teaching Network National Seminar on Digital Music Education, Nanjing Arts Institute, Nanjing, P. R. China.
Service
| 2007 | Review for new DVD “The Craft of Piano Playing: A New Approach to Piano Technique” , for American Music Teacher |
| November 2006 | Session Chair, The College Music Society 2006 Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX |
| 2004-2010 | Chair, Research Committee, National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy |
| August 2005 | Discussion Leader, National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy |
| 2005-2006 | Member, Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Conference Planning Committee |
| 2005 | Member, Research Poster Session Review Committee |
| 2005-2007 | Chair, Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award Committee |
| November 2004 | Session Chair, The College Music Society 2004 Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA |
| 2003-2007 | Member, MTNA Collegiate Chapters Task Force |
| 2003-2004 | Member, MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award Committee |
| 2003-2004 | Member, MTNA Collegiate Chapter Forum |
| 2002-present | Member, Research Committee for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy |
| March 2002 | Group Discussion Leader, MTNA Pedagogy Saturday VI at the National Conference of Music Teachers National Association, Minneapolis, MN |
| 2001-2003 | Co-Chair, Research Poster Sessions and Studio Projects Committee for the Music Teachers National Association |
| 2001 | Member, Poster Selection Committee for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy |
| March 2001 | Group Discussion Leader, MTNA Pedagogy Saturday V at the National Conference of Music Teachers National Association, Washington, D.C. |
| August 2000 | Group Discussion Leader, National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Symposium, Cincinnati, OH |
| March 2000 | Group Discussion Leader, MTNA Pedagogy Saturday IV at the National Conference of Music Teachers National Association, Minneapolis, MN |
| March 2000 | Session Chair, Great Lakes Chapter Meeting of the College Music Society, Ball State University, Muncie, IN |
| 1999-2002 | Member, MTNA National Advisory Board for Collegiate Chapters |
| 1999-2003 | Member, State Board of the Ohio Music Teachers Association |
Professional Affiliations
- International Society for Music Education
- European Piano Teachers Association - UK
- Music Teachers National Association; Ohio Music Teachers Association, Northwest District
- Music Educators National Conference
- Association for Technology in Music Instruction
- College Music Society
- Ohio Music Educators Association
- Ohio Music Teachers Association, Northwest District
- Gamma Omicron Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota