Dr. Sarah Burns

Assistant Professor of Music Education
Mason 202
(256) 782-5873
seburns@jsu.edu 

Dr. Sarah Burns joined the JSU Department of Music in 2021 as a visiting professor of music and became an assistant professor of music education at Jacksonville State University in 2022. Dr. Burns teaches elementary and secondary vocal music education methods and materials courses, aural skills, graduate music education courses, and supervises student teachers.

Dr. Burns received her D.M.A. in Music Education from Shenandoah University (VA), the M.M.M.E. with Kodály Emphasis from Capital University (OH), and the B.S. in K-12 School Music & A.A. degrees from Freed Hardeman University (TN).
Dr. Burns has taught general, vocal, and instrumental music across the continuum of life in public school, homeschool, university, and community settings working with musicians from birth to ninety-eight. She has conducted choirs at all levels, specializing in children’s choirs and treble choirs. Also a specialist in general music pedagogy, she has completed the requirements for Kodály certification (Capital University) and Orff-Schulwerk certification (University of Memphis) as well as training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics (Anderson University), World Music Drumming (Memphis) and Montessori education (Montessori Center of Jackson, TN).

Dr. Burns specializes in choral, general music, and world music pedagogy; instructional strategies, curriculum design, assessment, and creativity in the music classroom. Her current research interests explore historical and current use of shape-notes, singing schools, community music, and music & activism. She travels extensively providing professional development on these topics for school districts and at conferences, workshops, and festivals. Most recently she has presented research and pedagogical workshops for the International Society for Music Education World Conference, the International Kodály Society Symposium, the ISME Latin American/Pan American 2021 Regional Conference, and the Pan African Society of Musical Arts Education 2021 Regional Conference.

She is active as a clinician and adjudicator, as well as a current member of these professional organizations: American Choral Directors Association [ACDA], American Orff-Schulwerk Association [AOSA] (Alabama Orff chapter), Country School Association of America [CSAA], International Kodály Society [IKS], International Society for Music Education [ISME] (Practice and Research in Music Education [PRIME] Commission & Early Childhood Commission [ECC]), Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education [PASMAE], Kodály Society of Canada [KSC], May Day Group [MDG], National Association for Music Education [NAfME], Alabama Music Educators Association [AMEA], History Special Research Interest Group/NAfME, Society for Music Teacher Education [SMTE], National Folk Organization [NFO], Organization of American Kodály Educators [OAKE] (Southeast Chapter of Kodály Educators [SECKE] & Sweet Home Alabama Kodály Educators [SHAKE]).

Dr. Burns was been recognized as Teacher of the Year (2015-2016) by the West Tennessee Music Teachers Association and is listed in the Who's Who (2007) of the International Kodály Society.

Outside of her work with JSU, Dr. Burns has a passion for community music making. She accomplishes this by hosting community singings, folk dances, and drum circles, as well as sharing music activities with senior musicians in church groups, assisted living and residential facilities.

Prior to joining the JSU music faculty, Dr. Burns taught at Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) and Freed Hardeman University (TN). She also taught PK-12 general music and choral classes for the North Mac (formerly Girard) School District in Girard, IL.

Dr. Burns values time spent with her family and enjoys the hobbies of traveling, rock painting and slow stitching.