FSU Music Education

Congratulations, Doctors! Proud of the 2026 PhD class, from education, to therapy, to piano pedagogy!

Meet Rose Hellmers! 🤩
Rose Hellmers is a 1st–year PhD student in Choral Conducting/Music Education. Prior to FSU, she spent a decade teaching at Ravenwood High School, Portage Northern Middle/High School, and Harding Academy, where her choral programs consistently earned top ratings at the district, state, and national levels and more than doubled in enrollment. Under her direction, her ensembles performed at Carnegie Hall and at several ACDA/TMEA conferences. Her honors include 1st Place American Prize in Choral Conducting, TMEA Young Music Educator of the Year, and CMA Music Teacher of Excellence. She also served as the Assistant Conductor of the Nashville Symphony Chorus for four years, preparing many major works. She served on State ACDA and MTVA boards, led the district PLC team, mentored student teachers, served as Tri-M advisor, and taught AP Music Theory with a 100% exam pass rate. An active presenter and clinician, she has presented at various ACDA/TMEA conferences and is presenting at the upcoming ACDA International Symposium for Research in Choral Singing and the ISME World Conference. She earned her MME/BM from Vanderbilt on a merit scholarship. She resides in Tallahassee with her husband Carl and dog Judy.

Why FSU? ❤️💛
FSU emphasizes a learning environment where students and faculty are not only good musicians and conductors but also good people; they are collaborative and collegial, not competitive or catty. This positive culture was a major factor in my decision to study here and is essential to the kind of educator and colleague I strive to be.

Why music education?🎶
I am a music teacher because I love developing in all my students a lifelong love for making music, for themselves, and for their world. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that high-quality music instruction can have on students and their communities, and I love to facilitate those experiences. 

What is your goal after graduation?🎓
After graduation, I hope to become a Director of Choral Activities at the collegiate level: leading ensembles, mentoring future music educators, and building excellent choral communities.

Meet Ruth Springer! 🤩🎓

Originally from Topeka, KS, Ruth Springer is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting. After earning a BAME from Tabor College, she taught 6th-12th grade chorus in Marion, KS, acted as the Children’s Choir Director for Tabor College Opera, and served as an assistant conductor for Wichita Community Children’s Choir. Ruth began her journey at FSU in the M.M. Choral Conducting program. At FSU she has served as assistant conductor for Levana, Collegians, Vocal Jazz, Choral Union, and University Chorale. Outside of Florida State, Ruth is the Music Director at Monticello Methodist Church, serves on the Membership Board of the Tallahassee Community Chorus, and serves on the board of Festival Singers of Florida.  

Why FSU? ❤️💛
As I was seeking graduate programs I desired a program that went beyond musical excellence to also be community focus. FSU is filled with collaborative, caring, and brilliant people. The community found in the students, faculty, and conducting cohort is truly unique. 

Why music education? 🎶
I feel in love with choral music as a singer in middle school. As I began working with students, I got to see them experience the joy, the “aha” moments, for the very first time. Music education provides a space for you to experience the journey of others, participate in pivotal musical moments, and continue to grow yourself as a lifelong learner. 

Favorite class so far: 📚
The beauty of this program is the variety of courses you can take from prominent leaders in the field. Some of my favorite courses have been: Advanced Choral Conducting, College Teaching, and Experimental Research

We love having student like Ruth in our program! 🤩

We were honored to welcome Dr. Brian A. Silvey to Florida State University as part of the Clifford K. Madsen Lecture Series, where he shared valuable insights on perfectionism and imposter phenomenon among collegiate musicians. His engaging presentation encouraged meaningful reflection and conversation around the pressures musicians face, offering both research-based perspectives and practical takeaways for students and educators alike. Thank you, Dr. Silvey, for contributing to this important dialogue and for inspiring our music education community!

Meet Collin Clark! 🤩🎓

Collin Clark is a 3rd year PhD student in Music Education, originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. He also attended FSU for his Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education. Before graduate school he taught high school band and choir for three years in Jacksonville, Florida. Collin has a passion for music education and research. He recently won the FMEA Graduate Research Award and presented his study on Per-Pupil Expenditure as a Predictor of Music Enrollment. When he is not making music or working on his research he enjoys bouldering and belaying at the local rock climbing gym.

Why FSU? ❤️💛
FSU has a special place in my heart but also holds phenomenal educational opportunities for both me and my wife as we pursue our PhD’s.

Why music education?🎶
I love music, but I’ve also always viewed music education as the most effective tool to teach powerful lessons in community, social and emotional learning while laying the groundwork for personal improvement in areas of life beyond just music.

One piece of advice for future music education majors 🤩
Education is a lifelong journey. Pace yourself, never stop learning or confine yourself to one domain, never say you aren’t smart enough for something - you’re just not ready for that thing yet.

What does your assistantship involve, and what research are you currently working on? 📚
As a graduate assistant I work with the bands + marching chiefs, teaching undergraduate music education courses such as Brass Tech, and assisting Dr. Knapp with his research. I am currently working on quantitative research which uses administrative data from school districts to explain music student enrollment and persistence.

We love having students like Collin here at the College of Music! Go Noles! 🤩❤️💛

Future choral educators expanding their toolkit! 🎶

In Intro to Winds & Percussion, our students stepped confidently into the world of brass pedagogy, presenting French horn teaching demonstrations focused on foundational technique, tone production, and thoughtful instructional sequencing.

Strong teachers understand more than their primary instrument — and experiences like this build the cross-disciplinary expertise needed to lead and support diverse ensembles with confidence. Well-rounded musicians. Even stronger educators! 🤩

Say hello to Nia Thompson!

Nia Thompson is a second-year Instrumental Music Education major at Florida State University from Snellville, Georgia. Her primary instrument is the clarinet, and she currently takes part in a variety of ensembles, including Symphonic Band, Marching Chiefs, and Steel Pan Ensemble. At FSU, she is actively involved in campus leadership, serving as a coordinator for the College of Music Board of Advisors and as Performance Chair for the College of Music Black Alliance.
 
Beyond FSU, Nia regularly assists as a Muse mentor with the Athena Women in Music & Leadership organization. She is also a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Association of Black Women Band Directors (ABWBD), and the FSU Honors Program. In her free time, Nia enjoys line dancing, yoga, crafting cards, and watching Abbott Elementary! 
 
Why FSU? ❤️💛
I chose FSU for the people and the opportunities it offers. My first time on campus, the strong sense of community and support immediately stood out to me. I love being a part of a close-knit community where everyone shares the same passion for music.
 
Why music education? 🎶
It’s a combination of my two favorite things! Music is my passion, and deep down, I believe I have always wanted to be a teacher. I want to share my experiences and love for music with my students.
 
Favorite class so far? ✏️
Intro to Teaching Music with Dr. Belfast!
 
What is your goal after graduation?🎓
After I graduate, I want to teach elementary music or middle school band.
 
One piece of advice for future music education majors? 👀
Give yourself grace! The music education major requires a lot from you all at once. Be patient with yourself, try your best, and ask for help. There are so many people who want you to succeed and are willing to support you.

Modern band in action 🎸🔥

Dr. Knapp’s secondary methods students diving into modern band covers and learning how contemporary music can thrive in music ed spaces.

On January 22, our students had the pleasure of hearing Nicholas Caluori from the United States Military Academy at West Point present on The Psychology of Music Performance!

Say hello to Sarita Gustely! 🤩

Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Sarita Gustely earned her BMME from the University of Kentucky and her MM in Choral Conducting from Florida State University, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting. At FSU, she has served as co-conductor of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and assistant conductor for several choirs, including Chamber Choir, University Singers, and Levana. During 2023–24 she was president of the FSU Student Chapter of ACDA, which was named National Student Chapter for 2023–25, and presented research at FMEA and ACDA National in Dallas. Previously, she taught at Apex Friendship High School and co-directed Cary Youth Voices, leading the AFHS Harmonics at the North Carolina Music Educators Association and ACDA conferences.

Why FSU? ❤️💛
When I first auditioned at FSU, I fell in love with the community. This includes students, graduate cohort, and faculty. I also love that the program uniquely combines music education and conducting.

Why music education? 🎶
I fell in love with music education as a junior at the University of Kentucky because I wanted to help others discover their own passion for music. That led me to teach high school chorus for four and a half years, where I saw how music brings people together and builds meaningful relationships. Chorus also changed my life. I was randomly placed in choir after growing up in Mexico, and I immediately loved singing music from all over the world and learning from people with different backgrounds.

Graduate assistantship and current research 📚
I’m currently working with Dr. Gregory Springer and Dr. Corey Sullivan on a study examining how score use (score vs. no score) and singer movement influence perceptions of choral performance. I’m excited to begin data collection next week. My assistantship includes serving as assistant conductor for Chamber Choir and Choral Union, singing in TCC, assisting with the MUE 4411 Choral Methods course, and helping coordinate our Seasonal Celebration as the “Head Elf.”