DR. GWEN MCGRAW is an artist-educator known for her expertise in music curricula for students of all ages, research-based audio-media for children, the development of children’s singing voices, and early childhood music. She was most recently Associate Professor and Chair of Music Education at the University of Southern California, where she provided curricular leadership for five degree programs--including the new Masters of Arts in Teaching launched in the summer of 2005. While at USC, McGraw was invited to participate in a Regional Forum for leadership in higher education (Organization of Women in Higher Education; American Council on Education).

McGraw has served as a consultant on music education curricula to corporations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, professional music ensembles, and music industry professionals. In demand as a clinician, she has presented workshops, talks, and research presentations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She was responsible for the development of a corporate early childhood music curriculum that has been successfully implemented in more than 30 countries around the world. Recent publications and creative work include an invited talk on arranging and producing children’s audio-media, award-winning recordings for children, a keynote address for the European Music Educator’s Association (Germany 2002), and the lead article in the new MENC publication Spotlight on General Music: Teaching Towards the standards. McGraw was also on the editorial board of the journal Teaching General Music, as well as panels that drafted the Challenge Standards in the Arts (State of California) and the newly adopted PACT assessment required for the CA teaching credential (Stanford University).

Prior to her appointment as department chair at USC, McGraw served as Coordinator of Music Education at CSU, Sacramento for eight years.She has also served on the faculties of Emory University and The University of Georgia—where she conducted the 80+ voice University of Georgia Women’s Glee Club. A master teacher as well as administrator, McGraw was recognized with one of five university-wide Excellence in Teaching” awards while at UGA.

Dr. McGraw holds a D.M.A. in music education and vocal performance/pedagogy from The University of Georgia. Other degrees and graduate work include a Bachelor of Music cum laude (piano performance/music education) from Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina; graduate study at the Florida State University, and a Master’s of Music Education from The University of Georgia. Since her retirement from USC in 2008, McGraw has again had time to focus on composing, arranging, and recording developmentally-appropriate audio-media for children—as well as to continue related research in the field of developmental psychoacoustics. A bibliography of educational resources for parents and teachers of children along with information about her recordings and research can be found at www.gwendolynmcgraw.com.