Biography 

• PhD, Interdepartmental Area of Educational Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• MM, music education (concentration in Choral Conducting), Oberlin Conservatory of Music
• BME, (K-12 certification), Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Dr. Elizabeth Parker’s research focuses on the musical and social identity development of adolescents and issues of preservice and inservice music teacher identity. She is the sole author of Adolescents on Music published by Oxford University Press. Parker’s peer-reviewed scholarship is published in The Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, The Journal of Music Teacher Education, The International Journal of Music Education, Music Education Research, Research Studies in Music Education, Action, Criticism and Theory in Music Education, The Choral Journal, Advances in Music Education Research, and Visions of Research in Music Education. She presents her research regularly at the NAfME Society for Research in Music Education, the Society for Music Teacher Education, the American Choral Directors Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the International Society for Music Education. 

Within the Boyer College of Music and Dance, Dr. Parker instructs undergraduate students in Teaching Choral Music to Inclusive Populations and Inclusive Vocal Development. She also teaches graduate students in Qualitative Research, Sociology of Music Education, and History and Philosophy of Music Education. Parker advises undergraduate through doctoral students and holds three editorial positions including The Journal of Research in Music Education, The Journal of Music Teacher Education and the International Journal of Research on Choral Singing. Prior to her work at Temple University, she taught general and choral music education at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, GA.

An active children’s choral conductor and clinician, Dr. Parker is Co-Artistic Director of the Commonwealth Youthchoirs, a Philadelphia not-for-profit organization serving more than 600 PreK-12th students each year. In New York City, she held the position of Director of Music for a large not-for-profit where she grew a children's choir program of more than 250 voices. In Georgia, she served as the Artistic Director of the Voices of the Valley Youth Choir. Parker has taught within P-12 school and community spaces in New York, Nebraska, and Georgia, specializing in the vocal development of young people through general and choral contexts.

Works and Publications 

Book:

Parker, E. C. (2020). Adolescents on music: Why music matters to young people in our lives. Oxford University Press.

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications: 

Sweet, B. M., & Parker, E. C. (2019). Female vocal identity development: A phenomenology. Journal of Research in Music Education, 67(1), 62-82.

Parker, E. C. (2018) A grounded theory of adolescent high school women’s choir singers’ process of social identity development. Journal of Research in Music Education, 65(4), 439-460.

Parker, E. C., & Draves, T. J. (2018). Tensions and perplexities within teacher education and P-12 schools for music teachers with visual impairments. Arts Education Policy Review, 119, 42-52.

Parker, E. C. (2017). How I learned to sing: A phenomenology of one southeastern African-American church choir. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 212, 57-74. [In print Spring 2018]

Parker, E. C., Bond, V., & Powell, S. (2017). A grounded theory of preservice music educators’ lesson planning processes. Journal of Research in Music Education, 65(3), 287-308.

Parker, E. C., & Draves, T. J. (2017). A narrative of two preservice music education student teachers with visual impairment. Journal of Research in Music Education, 64(4), 385-404. 

Parker, E. C. (2016). The experience of creating community: An intrinsic case study of four midwestern public school choral teachers. Journal of Research in Music Education, 64(2), 220-237.

Parker, E. C., & Draves, T. J. (2016). Tensions and perplexities within teacher education and P-12 schools for music teachers with visual impairments. Arts Education Policy Review. Advanced online publication. doi: 10.1080/10632913.2016.1201028.

Powell, S. R., & Parker, E. C. (2016). Preservice music teachers’ descriptions of successful and unsuccessful teachers. Journal of Music Teacher Education.  Advanced online publication. doi: 10.1177/1057083716662689.

Parker, E. C., & Powell, S. R. (2014). A phenomenological study of music education majors’ identity development in methods courses outside their areas of focus. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 201, 23-41. [In print Summer 2015]

Parker, E. C. (2014). The process of social identity development in adolescent high school choral singers: A grounded theory. Journal of Research in Music Education, 62(1), 18-32.

Parker, E. C. (2012).  A qualitative exploration of selected writings by James Mursell. Visions of Research in Music Education, 21. Retrieved from http://www-usr.rider.edu/%7Evrme/v21n1/visions/Parker-Writings_by_James_Mursell.pdf.                                

Parker, E. C. (2012). An intrinsic case study of two homeschooled undergraduates’ decisions to become and remain music education majors. Journal of Music Teacher Education, 21(2), 54-68.

Parker, E. C. (2011). Examining adolescent choral singers’ social development within school music ensembles: Suggestions and implications for choral educators. Choral Journal, 52(4), 53-55.

Parker, E. C. (2011). Uncovering adolescent choral singers philosophical beliefs of music-making: A qualitative inquiry. International Journal of Music Education, 29(4), 305-317.

Parker, E. C. (2011). The tale of one children’s choir educator within a not-for-profit agency. Action, Criticism and Theory in Music Education, 10(1), 69-77.

Parker, E. C. (2010). Exploring student experiences of belonging within an urban high school choral ensemble: An action research study. Music Education Research, 12(4), 339-352.

Parker, E. C. (2007). Intrapersonal and interpersonal growth in the school chorus. Choral Journal, 48(2), 27-31. |

Woody, R. H., & Parker, E. C. (2012). Encouraging participatory musicianship among university students. Research Studies in Music Education, 34(2), 189-205.

Peer Reviewed Book Chapters: 

Parker, E. C. (2018). Beginnings. In. S. Burton, & A. Reynolds (Eds.), Engaging musical practices: A sourcebook for elementary general music (pp. 1-16). Rowman & Littlefield Publication.

Parker, E., Spears, A., & Draves, T. (2018). A case study of two music education majors with visual impairment. In B. Talbot (Ed.), Marginalized voices in music education (pp. 176-198). Routledge Press.

Parker, E. C. (2015). Investigating selective practices in high school choral ensembles. In M. Campbell & L. Thompson (Eds.), Advances in music education research (pp. 127-147). Information Age Publishing.

Invited Practioner Writings and Review: 

Parker, E. C. (2018, Winter). Emerging adulthood. PMEA News, 83(2), 68-69.

Parker, E. C. (2017, Spring). Fostering inclusive spaces in PK-12 music classrooms. PMEA News.

Parker, E. C. (2016, January). The importance of adolescent voice [Blog post]. http://acdaeast.org/the-importance-of-adolescent-voice/

Parker, E. C. (2015, Winter). Adolescence revisited. PMEA News, 80(2), 48-49.

Parker, E. C. (2015, Fall). Untitled. [Back book jacket for Growing Musicians by Bridget Sweet]. NY, NY: Oxford University Press.

Parker, E. C. (2015, Spring). edTPA. PMEA News, 79(4), 36-37.

Parker, E. C. (2012, Spring). Different roads lead to Columbus State University. Education & Health Quarterly, 6(2), 8-9.

International Presentations: 

Parker, E. C. (2020, August). A grounded theory of adolescent musical identity development. Research presentation at the International Society of Music Education in Helsinki, Finland (conference canceled).

Parker, E. C., & Sweet, B. M. (2020, August). Community choirs as empowering spaces for individuals with disabilities. Research presentation at the International Society of Music Education in Helsinki, Finland (conference canceled).

Parker, E. C. (2020, February). Qualitative research in music: A closer look at five approaches. Presentation at Nova Universidad, Lisbon, Portugal.

Parker, E. C. (2020, February). I love music because I love my voice. Presentation at Nova Universidad, Lisbon, Portugal.

Parker, E. C. (2020, February). What can we learn from listening to the voices of adolescent musicians. Presentations at the University of Aveiro and University of Minho, Portugal.

Parker, E. C. (2020, February). Conducting masterclass at the University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Parker, E. C., & Draves, T. J. (2016, July). A narrative of two preservice music education majors with visual impairment. Paper presentation at the International Society of Music Education in Glasgow, Scotland.

Parker, E. C., & Sweet, B. (2016, July). Perceptions of identity as a female vocal musician. Paper presentation at the International Society of Music Education in Glasgow, Scotland.

Parker, E. C. (2015, June). Why adolescents sing. Paper presentation at the International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education in New Orleans, LA.

Parker, E. C. (2011, June). Investigating group processes of music-making with high school choral singers.Paper presentation at the Seventh International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education in East Lansing, MI.

Parker, E. C. (2010, June). Investigating the ethics of selectivity of high school choral ensembles. Paper presentation at the Mayday Colloquium XXII on Music Education and Ethics in Montclair, NJ.

Woody, R. H., & Parker, E. C. (2012, July), Challenging young adults to integrate music-making into their out-of-school lives and identities. Paper presentation at International Society of Music Education in Thessaloniki, Greece.

National Presentations: 

Parker, E. C. (2019, September). Graduate research forum. Mentorship session at the Society for Music Teacher Education in Greensboro, NC.

Major, M. M., & Parker, E. C. (2018, September). A choral world without hierarchy: A case study of Eisenhower High School. Paper presentation at the International Symposium for Research on Choral Singing in Evanston, IL.

Parker, E. C., & Sweet, B. (2018, September). A multiple case study of two inclusive choirs. Paper presentation at the International Symposium for Research on Choral Singing in Evanston, IL.

Major, M. M., & Parker, E. C. (2018, April). A choral world without hierarchy: A case study of Eisenhower High School. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association in New York, NY.

Parker, E. C., & Sweet, B. (2018, March). A multiple case study of two inclusive choirs. Paper presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [NAfME] in Atlanta, GA.

Parker, E. C., Powell, S. R., & Bond, V. L. (2018, March). A formal grounded theory of preservice educators’ lesson planning processes. Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [NAfME] in Atlanta, GA.

Ilari, B., Conkling, S., Koops, L., & Parker, E. (2018). Parenting and music education. Symposium presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [NAfME] in Atlanta, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2017, September). The advanced women’s choir of the F-wing: A case study. Poster presentation at the Society for Music Teacher Education [SMTE] in Minneapolis, MN.

Parker, E. C., Albert, D., Draves, T., & Spears, A. (2017, September). Admissions to graduation: Supporting preservice music educators with visual impairment. Poster presentation at the Society for Music Teacher Education [SMTE] in Minneapolis, MN.

Parker, E. C., Spears, A., & Draves, T. (2017, April). A case study of two music education majors with visual impairment. Paper presentation at American Educational Research Association [AERA] in San Antonio, TX.

Parker, E. C. (2017, March). What happens in choir…Fostering adolescent development through singing.Paper Presentation at the American Choral Directors Association Conference in Minneapolis, MN.

Parker, E. C., Bond, V., & Powell, S. (2016, April). A grounded theory of preservice music educators’ lesson planning processes. Paper presentation at American Educational Research Association [AERA] in Washington, DC.

Parker, E. C. (2016, March). Uncovering the process of social identity development in high school adolescent women’s choral singers: A grounded theory. Paper presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [NAfME] in Atlanta, GA.

Parker, E. C., & Draves, T.  (2016, March). Tensions and perplexities within teacher education and P-12 schools for music teachers with visual impairments. Paper presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [NAfME] in Atlanta, GA.

Parker, E. C., & Draves, T. D. (2015, September). A narrative of two preservice music education student teachers who are visually impaired. Paper presentation at the Society for Music Teacher Education in Greensboro, NC.

Parker, E. C. (2015, April). How I learned to sing: A phenomenology of one southeastern African-American church choir. Paper presentation at AERA in Chicago, IL.

Parker, E. C. (2015, February). The experience of creating community: An intrinsic case study of four midwestern public school choral teachers. Paper presentation at Suncoast Music Education Research Symposium in Tampa, FL.

Parker, E. C. (2014, April). An intrinsic case study of six southeastern public school music educators’ classroom management development. Poster presentation at Society for Research in Music Education [NAfME] in St. Louis, MO.

Parker, E. C., & Powell, S. R. (2013, April). A phenomenological study of music education majors’ identity development in methods courses outside their areas of focus. Roundtable presentation at AERA in San Francisco, CA.

Parker, E. C. (2012, April). Investigating selective practices in high school choral ensembles: An intrinsic case study. Paper presentation at AERA in Vancouver, BC.

Parker, E. C. (2011, September). The experience of creating community: An intrinsic case study of four midwestern public school choral teachers. Paper presentation at the Society for Music Teacher Education Conference in Greensboro, NC.

Parker, E. C. (2011, April). The process of social identity development in adolescent high school choral singers: A grounded theory. Paper presentation at AERA in New Orleans, LA.

Parker, E. C. (2011, March). Examining adolescent choral singers' social development within school music ensembles: Suggestions & implications for choral educators. Roundtable presentation at National American Choral Directors Association in Chicago, IL.

Parker, E. C. (2011, February) An intrinsic case study of two homeschooled undergraduates’ decisions to become and remain music education majors. Paper presentation at the Twelfth Biennial Desert Skies National Symposium on Research in Music Education in Tucson, AZ.

Parker, E. C. (2010, March). Uncovering adolescent choral singers philosophical beliefs of music-making: A qualitative inquiry. Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [MENC/ NAfME] in Anaheim, CA.

Parker, E. C. (2009, June). Paradigms in music education research.  Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Music Education [MENC/NAfME] in Washington, DC.

Parker, E. C. (2009, February). Student experiences of belonging within an urban high school chorus. Paper presentation at the Eleventh Biennial Desert Skies National Symposium on Research in Music Education in Tucson, AZ.

Parker, E. C. (2007, April). The Kodaly method in a larger world: Contemporary debates and challenges using the Kodaly method in the choral classroom. Paper presentation at the American Hungarian Educators’ Association: Hungarians in a larger world in New York, NY.

Powell, S. R., & Parker, E. C. (2012, March). Exploring preservice music teachers' reflections on successful and unsuccessful teachers. Paper presentation at NAfME in St. Louis, MO.

Regional Presentations: 

Parker, E. C., & Dilworth, R. A. (2020, March). Choral teaching for community transformation. Presentation at the ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Rochester, NY.

Parker, E. C., & Sweet, B. M. (2019, March). A multiple case study of two inclusive choirs. Paper presentation at the Disabilities Colloquium, James Madison University, VA.

Parker, E. C., & Sweet, B. M. (2018, March). Bridge-building: Fostering safe spaces in the secondary choral classroom. Research presentation at ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Pittsburgh, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2017, April). The advanced women’s choir of the F-wing: A case study. Poster presentation at NAfME Eastern division in Atlantic City, NJ.

Parker, E. C. (2016, February). Saving the world through singing. Invited research roundtable at American Choral Directors Association Eastern in Boston, MA.

Parker, E. C. (2016, February). What stays in choir…Adolescent development through singing. Paper presentation at American Choral Directors Association Eastern in Boston, MA.

Parker, E. C. (2015, October). Promoting healthy vocal development with every singer. Workshop presentation at Delaware Music Educators Association Conference, DE.

Parker, E. C. (2015, April). An intrinsic case study of six southeastern public school music educators’ classroom management development. Paper and poster presentation at NAfME Eastern division in Providence, RI.

Parker, E. C. (2010, March). Exploring student experiences of belonging within an urban high school choral ensemble. Poster presentation at the American Choral Directors Southern Division Conference in Memphis, TN.

Parker, E. C. (2007, March). Philosophy, theory, practice, curriculum and reflection: The importance of thought and action to music educators new to the field. Poster presentation presented at the MENC/NAfME Eastern Division Biennial In-Service Conference.

State Presentations: 

Parker, E. C. (2020, April). Invited researcher. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association in Poconos, PA. (conference canceled).

Parker, E. C., (2018, April). Exploring safe choral spaces. Presentation for Presidential Humanities and Arts Showcase at Temple University, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2017, November). Is there an “I” in team? Fostering positive social development in school music ensembles. Professional development conference presentation for Region III in State College, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2017, November). "I love music because I love my voice" - Building positive singing experiences in general music. Professional development conference presentation for District 11 in Blue Bell, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2017, July). “I love music because I love my voice”- Building positive singing experiences in general music. Summer conference presentation for Pennsylvania Music Educators Association [PMEA] in State College, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2017, March). “I love music because I love my voice”- Building positive singing experiences in general music. Webinar presentation for Pennsylvania Music Educators Association [PMEA].

Parker, E. C. (2017, January). Promoting healthy vocal development with every singer. Workshop presentation for School District of Philadelphia, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2016, November). Mutual engagement for student and teacher in middle school general music. Workshop presentation at District 12 Professional Development in Great Valley, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2016, November). Promoting healthy vocal development with P-12th grade singers.Workshop presentation at Greater Philadelphia Chapter National Association of Teachers of Singing, Philadelphia, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2016, March). Fostering positive adolescent social development within school music contexts. Research-to-practice presentation at Pennsylvania Music Education Association [PMEA] in Hershey, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2016, March). Uncovering the process of social identity development in high school adolescent women’s choir singers: A grounded theory. Poster presentation at PMEA in Hershey, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2015, November). Promoting healthy vocal development with P-12 singers. Workshop presentation at Greater Philadelphia Chapter National Association of Teachers of Singing, Philadelphia, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2015, November). Promoting healthy vocal development with adolescent singers. Workshop presentation at District 11 Professional Development in Blue Bell, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2015, November). Making music off of the page. Workshop presentation at District 11 Professional Development in Blue Bell, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2015, March). Developing classroom management: Master teachers speak. Research-to-practice presentation at PMEA in Hershey, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2015, March). Promoting healthy vocal development with every singer: Informed vocalizations, sightsinging practices, and aural concepts for choirs. Workshop presentation at PMEA in Hershey, PA.

Parker, E. C. (2014, July). Exploring the pedagogies. Workshop presentation at New Jersey Music Educators Association Summer Conference in Ewing, NJ.

Parker, E. C. (2014, January). Creating community: An intrinsic case study of four public school choral teachers. Paper presentation at Georgia Music Educators Association [GMEA] in Savannah.

Parker, E. C. (2013, February). Partnering in literacy: Active music-making and storytelling. Workshop presentation for Muscogee General Music Teachers in Columbus, GA.

Parker, E.C. (2013, February). The experience of community. Paper presentation at Faculty Forum series, Columbus State University Library in Columbus, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2013, January) Classroom management: Tips from master teachers. Workshop presentation at GMEA in Savannah, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2013, January). Paradigms in music education research: Reviewing traditional approaches and advancing contemporary perspectives. Poster presentation at GMEA in Savannah, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2012, January). Exploring social identity development in high school choral singers: A grounded theory. Paper presentation at GMEA in Savannah, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2011, September). Strengthening the sound: Warm ups, rounds and ear training

exercises for choirs. Workshop presentation at Annual High School Choral Day at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2010, September). Balance and blend in the high school choir rehearsal. Workshop presentation at Annual High School Choral Day at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA.

Parker. E. C. (2010, September). Appropriate literature for beginning children’s choirs. Workshop presentation for Muscogee County General Music Teachers in Columbus, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2009, October). Day one at my first choral teaching position: Planning for success. Workshop presentation presented at the Collegiate NAfME/MENC Mini-Conference, Mercer University in Macon, GA.

Parker, E. C. (2008, February). Intrapersonal and interpersonal growth in the school chorus. Poster presentation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Celebration of Graduate Student Work in Lincoln, NE.

Parker, E. C. (2001, January). Choral music and the school curriculum. Workshop presentation at National Choral Council Professional Conference in New York, NY.

Parker, E. C. (2000, October). Musical literacy in the choral classroom. Workshop presentation at National Choral Council Professional Conference in New York, NY.

Parker, E. C. (1999, January). Musical literacy with young children in the choral context. Workshop presentation at National Choral Council Vocal Music in our Schools in New York, NY.