Mya Scarlato
For media inquiries, please contact Media Relations
As a professor of music education courses, Dr. Scarlato strives to engage students in coursework that explores a variety of musical genres and music-making processes. She is persuaded by educational thinkers like Maxine Greene, who hold the beliefs that: 1) curriculum ought to be co-constructed by teachers and students to reflect the diverse needs of individuals at particular moments in time/history, and 2) art can serve as a powerful medium through which we might endeavor to reimagine our communities to be more just, equitable, and free. Scarlato's primary scholarly interests center around qualitative research designs that emphasize critical social perspectives, philosophical lenses, and narrative methodologies.
Prior to her appointment at Berklee College of Music, Scarlato served as an assistant professor and chair of music at the University of Bridgeport, and visiting assistant professor at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. She also taught K-12 general music, beginning band, and applied music at Korea International School and a variety of public and private schools in New York City.
- Published book:
- Scarlato, M. & Kivijärvi, S. (2025). Remixing the Classroom: Stories from the Field. Indiana University Press.
- Published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters:
- Scarlato, M. & Kivijärvi, S. (2025). “Invitation: Enacting Open Philosophies of Music Education.” In Scarlato & Kivijärvi, (Eds.). Indiana University Press.
- Scarlato, M. K. M. (2025). “Remixing the U.S. National Anthems: Toward ‘Plastic’ Concepts of American Identity." In Scarlato & Kivijärvi, (Eds.). Indiana University Press.
- Scarlato, M. K. M. & Kelly, K. (2024). “How Much Glass Can I Break Before They Fire Me? Negotiating Diversity Education in a Fractured Political Landscape.” Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy: Ethical Questions in Transforming Music Practices. Special issue.
- Scarlato, M. K. M. (2022). "Playing Upon the Blue Guitar: Toward Re-Imaginings of the U.S. National Anthems." Action, Criticism, and Theory in Music Education.
- Scarlato, M. K. M. (2022). “This is Going to be a Learning Curve, Especially Because You’re White: Becoming an Anti-racist Music Teacher in a Majority Indigenous Classroom." Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education.
- Scarlato, M. K. M. (2021). "Go Ask Alice: How is a Raven Like a Band Director?" Philosophy of Music Education Review, 29(1).
- Scarlato, M. K. M. (2021). "Musical Fatherhood: A Phenomenological Study." Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 35(3).
- Scarlato, M. K. M. & Kim, Y. (2021). “But When Do We Get to Learn the Real DO?”: Toward Learner-Centered Pitch Practices in U.S. Music Classrooms. General Music Today.