Degrees: EDD, 2000, Teachers Coll, Columbia Univ; MM, 1985, Eastman Schl of Music; BA, 1982, Lycoming Coll

Bio:

Field of Study:Music Education, Choral Methods and Conducting

Research Interests: Community choirs, choral conductor behaviors, music teacher training, historical research on choral singing

Previous Teaching Specialization: Queens College, CUNY 1999-2008; New Jersey City University 1999-2000

Education:

Doctor of Education in Music Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY

Master of Music in Choral Conducting, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, NY

Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA

Professional Affiliations:

ACDA (American Choral Directors Association)

MENC (National Association for Music Educators)

ACME-SRIG (Adult & Community Music Education Special Research Interest Group)

NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association)

ISME (International Association for Music Education)

NACCM (North American Coalition of Community Musicians)

Biographical Information:

Cindy L. Bell joined Hofstra University in January 2008, as Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of the 70-voice University Choir. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, general music, and choral music methods. This appointment follows an eight year position at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, CUNY.

As a specialist in choral music education, teacher training and community choirs, Dr. Bell presents professional workshops for Long Island and New York City schools, as well as for NYSSMA; MENC Eastern Division 2003, 2005 and 2009 Conferences; MENC 2004 National Conference; ACDA 2004 and 2006 Eastern Division Conventions; ACDA 2007 National Convention; and ISME 2002 Rotterdam and 2008 Rome Community Music Seminars.

She enjoys guest conducting choirs of all ages, including the 2008 NMEA Division III All-County Chorus and the 2008 SAR High School Choral Festival in the Bronx. Since 1996, Dr. Bell has directed the Mariners Chorus at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point (NY), one of the five federal military institutions in the U.S. This group performs for civic and military functions, including U.S. Maritime Day in Washington, D.C.

Each summer, Dr. Bell returns to her hometown of Ocean Grove, NJ, to guest conduct in the Annual Adult Choir Festival, the largest sacred choral festival on the East Coast, featuring a choir of 1000 voices. She also served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Annual Youth Choir Festival in Ocean Grove, NJ, from 1999-2006. She has previously taught public school choral music, produced musical theatre, directed church choirs, and her varied choral experiences include singing with Fred Waring, Donald Neuen, Robert Shaw, Gregg Smith and John Rutter.

Recent published articles by Dr. Bell appear in the International Journal of Community Music, Choral Journal, Music Educators Journal, International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, Bulletin for the Council of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and conference proceedings for ISME Community Music Seminars. She is co-author, with Hofstra colleague Dr. Nathalie Robinson, of a chapter in the 2006 MENC book Teaching Music in the Urban Classroom.

Recent Publications:

Bell, C. L. (2008). Toward a definition of a community choir. International Journal of Community Music, 1(2), 229-241.

Bell, C. L., & Robinson, N. (2006). Music education students teach at-risk children private lessons. In Teaching Music in the Urban Classroom, Volume 2, Frierson-Campbell, C. (Ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowan & Littlefield Education, and Reston, VA: MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

Bell, C. L. (2004). Update on community choir singing in the United States. International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, 2(1), 39-52. (published at www.choralresearch.org.)

Bell, C. L. (2004). Harmonizing and improvising in the choral rehearsal: A sequential approach. Music Educators Journal, 90(4), 31-37.

Bell, C. L. (2003). Beginning the dialogue: Teachers respond to the National Standards in Music. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 156, 31-42.

Bell, C. L. (2003). Queens College Choral Society: A working partnership between community chorus and college. Conference Proceedings for ISME (International Society of Music Education) Conference on Community Music. (published at www.isme.org.)

Bell, C. L. (2002). Enhanced rehearsal strategies for the undergraduate choral conductor. Journal of Music Teacher Education, 11(2), 22-27. (www.menc.org.)