Phil Farnsworth

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Libby (Elizabeth) Allison

Professor
Affiliated Departments
Music Education
eallison@berklee.edu
Telephone
617-747-8899

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Libby Allison is a teacher, musician, professional development provider, and facilitator in the areas of pedagogy, music classroom methods, culturally responsive teaching, innovative practice, and faculty learning communities. She has taught preK–12 music in public and private schools, and finds great joy in working with students of all ages. She is currently professor of music education at Berklee College of Music, where she teaches such courses as Music Education Methods; Music, the Brain, and Learning; Multicultural Approaches to Music; and Philosophy of Education. She is the advisor to the Berklee National Association for Music Education (NAfME) chapter and a Senior ETUDE Scholar in diversity and equity. The recipient of two Berklee Urban Service Awards for founding the KidsJam program and for faculty development work with Berklee City Music®, she was the student activities advisor of the year in 2012 and the recipient of the Berklee Distinguished Faculty Award in 2019. She has conducted professional development and conference clinics in Europe, Mexico, and around the U.S., and has published articles in a variety of journals. As a member of NAfME, Allison has served the Massachusetts Music Educators Association on the executive board in several positions; presented at state, division, and national conferences; and been recognized with a Distinguished Service award and the Excellence in General Music award. She is also an active member of the Association for Popular Music Education and teaches graduate-level courses online. 

Career Highlights
  • Former K–12 music educator, choral director, and coordinator of performing arts
  • Active clinician and adjudicator
  • Active in leadership roles in NAfME and Massachusetts Music Educators Association
  • Performances at the Smithsonian Institution and Old Sturbridge Village, and in Sri Lanka, India, and Great Britain
  • Publications in various music education journals
  • Teaching music theory during Berklee's Summer Program: Day Sessions
Awards
  • Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Lowell Mason Award
  • Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Excellence in General Music Award
  • Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Distinguished Service Award
  • Dedham Public Schools, J. Kelly Award: Teacher of the Year, 2001
  • Berklee Urban Service Award for KidsJam
  • Berklee Urban Service Award for City Music
  • Berklee College of Music, Student Activities Advisor of the Year
  • Berklee College of Music, Distinguished Faculty Award, Professional Education Division, 2019
  • Berklee College of Music, Dean's Award for Pedagogical Collaboration and Resource Development, Professional Education Division, 2022
In Their Own Words

"Teaching music is a privilege and a joy, and I hope that music education students will learn to think like a teacher, empathize with others' learning process, and promote equity in the music classroom, studio, and performance area. Students should feel empowered to act and reflect on their performing and teaching in order to come away from classes with an understanding of how they learn in order to facilitate the learning of others."

"I have been privileged to work with students from infancy to senior citizens, including private instruction, undergraduate and graduate classes, and K–12 music and ensembles. My teaching and performance career has provided me with a great variety of experiences with different musical genres in many locations. The depth and breadth of my experience helps me to scaffold and celebrate student learning, and the variety of experience allows me to be flexible and accommodating to all learning styles and cultures."